Herb and Jamaal
| Herb and Jamaal | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Stephen Bentley |
| Current status/schedule | current daily & Sunday strip |
| Launch date | 1989 |
| Syndicate(s) | Creators Syndicate |
| Genre(s) | Humor |
Herb and Jamaal is a comic strip by Stephen Bentley syndicated by Creators Syndicate. It is published daily and centers on the eponymous friends who own and run a diner together, inspired by the illustrator's experience at a high school reunion,[1] and a desire to provide increased representation for black people in comics. According to Bentley, "Some of the characters in 'Herb and Jamaal' partially come from myself and people that I know but the full story is just a fantasy..."[2]
Story and characters
The strip centers around the title characters and the diner they own and run together:
- Herbert Johnson, a former quality control technician at the gas works, a schemer, but not underhanded.[2]
- Jamaal J. Jamaal, a former NBA center for the Phazers[3] (a fictional team).
Other characters:
- Sarah Johnson, Herb's wife, whose cooking leaves a lot to be desired.[4]
- Uhuru Johnson, Herb and Sarah's daughter.
- Ezekiel Johnson, Herb and Sarah's son.[5] His middle name is Nicholas.[6]
- Eula, Sarah's mother, who never hesitates to let Herb know what she thinks of him.[7]
- Yolanda, the object of Jamaal's fawning affection.[8] The feeling is only somewhat reciprocated.
- Kim, a postal worker.[9]
- Mr. C, a blond customer who often visits the diner.[10] Bentley said that Mr. C's name began as Charles to honor a childhood friend. However, some took it to be a derogatory reference ("Mister Charlie" was used within the African American community to refer to an imperious white man or a man in charge), so he shortened it. He now thinks of it as C for Common.[11]
- Ed, a curly-haired diner patron.[12]
- Reverend Croom[7]
- Deacon Derek[13]
- Ernie, a taxi driver who also always wears sunglasses.[14]
References
- ^ "About Stephen Bentley". Creators Syndicate. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
- ^ a b Resler, Jerry (1989-08-07). "'Herb & Jamaal' added to comics". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
- ^ Bentley, Stephen (September 9, 2013). "Herb and Jamaal". GoComics.com. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
- ^ Bentley, September 23, 2012
- ^ Bentley, September 30, 2013
- ^ "Herb and Jamaal by Stephen Bentley for August 11, 2022". GoComics. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
- ^ a b Bentley, October 20, 2013
- ^ Bentley, September 17, 2012
- ^ Bentley, August 29, 2013
- ^ Bentley, September 23, 2013
- ^ https://www.gocomics.com/herbandjamaal/2020/08/18?ct=v&cti=76520&comments=visible#comments -- See IDrawH&J's posts under Nailer's comment
- ^ Bentley, October 6, 2013
- ^ https://www.gocomics.com/herbandjamaal/2022/12/20?ct=v&cti=76520 [bare URL]
- ^ Bentley, September 12, 2013
External links
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