Herb and Jamaal

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, 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..."

Story and characters
The strip centers around the title characters and the diner they own and run together: Other characters:
 * 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 (a fictional team).
 * Sarah Johnson, Herb's wife, whose cooking leaves a lot to be desired.
 * Uhuru Johnson, Herb and Sarah's daughter.
 * Ezekiel Johnson, Herb and Sarah's son. His middle name is Nicholas.
 * Eula, Sarah's mother, who never hesitates to let Herb know what she thinks of him.
 * Yolanda, the object of Jamaal's fawning affection. The feeling is only somewhat reciprocated.
 * Kim, a postal worker.
 * Mr. C, a blond customer who often visits the diner. 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.
 * Ed, a curly-haired diner patron.
 * Reverend Croom
 * Deacon Derek
 * Ernie, a taxi driver who also always wears sunglasses.