Congratulations to creator Robb Armstrong on the 35th anniversary of "JumpStart"!

Originally launched on October 2, 1989, this family-centric comic strip is packed with humor and heart. At the core of the "JumpStart" cast is police officer Joe Cobb and Marcy Cobb, a nurse in a bustling Philadelphia hospital. The strip chronicles their often-chaotic life raising four kids.

Armstrong took some time to participate in a Q&A in honor of the anniversary. Get to know him and the history of the strip a little better with the interview below!

What do you think it is about "JumpStart" that has made it popular with readers for so long?

I think the relatability of the characters is key. Readers see themselves and their families in Joe, Marcy, and the rest of the cast. The strip reflects the everyday joys, challenges, and humor of life. It's timeless in that way, and I believe that connection has sustained the strip for so long.

What has been your favorite part about creating this strip and these characters for 35 years?

My favorite part has been developing the characters and discovering new dimensions to them. I love when a strip, like the one featuring Mortimer from September 13, 2015, opens a portal to deeper character development. The characters often surprise me by taking on lives of their own, and that keeps the work fresh and exciting for me.

What is one thing readers don’t know about "JumpStart"?

Readers might be surprised to learn that I’m nothing like the main character, Joe. The only character I really share any traits with is Vic Van Streck, a seldom-seen character in the strip. Like me, he is a well-known cartoonist with a successful career. I’m more interested in writing fiction and creating these characters than in documenting my own personal thoughts and opinions. I believe that turning my strip into a widely published diary is not a good idea! I let my characters think and act for themselves.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about the strip?

The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a reader who said they wished Joe and Marcy were real people so they could live next door to them. That really stuck with me because it shows that the characters feel real and relatable, even lovable, to readers, which is what I strive for.

Do you have a favorite strip that you’ve created? If so, which one?

My favorite strip is a Sunday comic from October 21, 2018. It shows Joe and Crunchy playing basketball with some teens that, at first, look like troublemakers. It was inspired by a real-life story I saw on TV. I rarely use TV-inspired material in my work, but this scenario deserved to be amplified. It’s what I’m always trying to communicate to my readers by having a police officer as the main character in my strip.

What do you hope to see in years to come with "JumpStart"?

I would love to see "JumpStart" reach an even broader audience, especially through television or film. We came close with a FOX sitcom deal in 2014 and even shot a pilot with CBS last year, but I think an animated version would really capture everything that makes the strip special.

Is there anything else you would like to add about the strip, or about your life as a cartoonist?

I want to express how grateful I am for all the support "JumpStart" has received over the years. It’s been a dream come true to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist, and I’m thankful every day for the readers who continue to enjoy the strip. My career as a cartoonist has truly expanded my world in a multitude of ways! I've met and become friends with brilliant cartoonists like Cathy Guisewite, Darrin Bell, Lynn Johnston, Ray Billingsley, and Charles M. Schulz. After the death of Schulz, I have had a unique opportunity to co-write a screenplay with his son, Craig, and his grandson, Bryan, called "Welcome Home, Franklin", which is streaming right now on Apple TV+.

My career has also afforded me the opportunity to be a positive force in the lives of young people. Some of them have aspirations like mine. I've been a college professor at Savannah College of Art and Design, teaching their first cartooning course. I've earned an honorary doctorate degree from the speaking I do at high schools and universities. I'm also the national spokesman for the Police Athletic League.

These are some of the doors that have been opened directly or indirectly because of "JumpStart"! I look forward to seeing where these characters take me next!

Be sure to read and follow "JumpStart" on GoComics, where it updates every day!