*I have followed Robb Armstrong creator of the comic strip series Jump Start, syndicated since 1989. For quite some time, we both have been influenced by great comic artists. Me, by my mentor and tutor, Joe Kubert (Tarzan, Sgt Rock), and the Joker creator, Jerry Robinson who was pivotal in first syndicating my cartoons in the US.
For Robb, Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts comic strips influenced him. I grew up a fan of Peanuts and am still a fan with a collection of his books right from when I was growing up in Nigeria as a cartoonist and also when I attended the Kubert art school in New Jersey. I have also featured in OUR ROOTS the black character in Peanuts called Franklin here on EURWEB
Jerry Robinson said of OUR ROOTS, that it deserves recognition for its unique contribution through art and journalism to racial understanding and hence my belief in the need to recognize Robb Armstrong’s achievements. Armstrong now has collaborated with the Peanuts production team, which includes Charles Schulz’s son Craig and grandson Bryan Schulz, to write the 51st Peanuts special, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin.
This is Franklin’s first starring role as part of Peanuts animation and explores the character. Franklin a black character in Peanuts, first appeared in the comic strip in 1968. Whilst studying in the US, I did watch Peanuts specials. It was a must-watch for me. What makes this collaboration between Armstrong and the Peanuts special team, is that Franklin takes a starring role.
Robb Armstrong should be celebrated and may his successes open doors for other upcoming young black artists. There is hope in him being successful. Congratulations Robb.
Young, Black, and Presidential – Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye makes history in 2024
At the age of 44, Africa has its youngest President ever elected democratically who goes by the name Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He is also the youngest President-elect of the Republic of Senegal, a West African nation.
TAYO Fatunla whose work has been featured on MSN.com via EURweb.com is an award-winning British-Nigerian Comic Artist, Editorial Cartoonist, Writer, and Illustrator and is an artist of the African diaspora. He is a graduate of the prestigious Kubert School, in New Jersey, US., and recipient of the 2018 ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award for his illustrated OUR ROOTS creation and series – Famous people in Black History – He participated at UNESCO’s Cartooning In Africa forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Cartooning Global Forum in Paris, France and has held a virtual OUR ROOTS cartoon workshop for SMITHSONIAN- National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C. His Fela Kuti image is prominently featured in Burna Boy’s mega-Afrobeat hit song “Ye”. – TAYO is the illustrator behind the pictorial Black history walk map on a lectern that guides the walk-in Camberwell, South East London, U.K. https://www.instagram.com/tfatunla123
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