Herb and Jamaal explained

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.
• 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
• Deacon Derek^[13]
• Ernie, a taxi driver who also always wears sunglasses.^[14]

External links

• Herb and Jamaal at GoComics

Notes and References

1. Web site: About Stephen Bentley . 2013-09-09 . Creators Syndicate.
2. News: 'Herb & Jamaal' added to comics . Jerry . Resler . The Milwaukee Sentinel . 1989-08-07 . 2013-09-09.
3. Web site: Herb and Jamaal . September 9, 2013 . 2013-09-09 . GoComics.com . Stephen . Bentley.
4. Bentley, September 23, 2012
5. Bentley, September 30, 2013
6. Web site: Herb and Jamaal by Stephen Bentley for August 11, 2022 . GoComics . 2022-08-31.
7. Bentley, October 20, 2013
8. Bentley, September 17, 2012
9. Bentley, August 29, 2013
10. Bentley, September 23, 2013
11. https://www.gocomics.com/herbandjamaal/2020/08/18?ct=v&cti=76520&comments=visible#comments -- See IDrawH&J's posts under Nailer's comment
12. Bentley, October 6, 2013
13. https://www.gocomics.com/herbandjamaal/2022/12/20?ct=v&cti=76520
14. Bentley, September 12, 2013