It mostly involves the title character, Curtis, doing things like getting in trouble at home and school, trying in many attempts to make his father, Greg, quit Smoking (a story which earned Billingsley the American Lung Association 's President's Award in 2000 ), and stuffing his face.
Curtis will often fantasize at school (rather than paying attention to Mrs. Nelson) about his favorite superhero, "Supercaptaincoolman" (an African-American superhero who is constantly defending the city against the insidious schemes of the evil "Doctor Horsehead").
Once a year, Ray will have Curtis and the gang take a hiatus one day after Christmas and focus on a special 2 week inspirational story to celebrate the Festival of Kwanzaa . The current (2006) story is the Story of the Unruly Brothers with the ability to change into animals after helping an old man out of a pit. The 2005 story was about a man named Joe who was born with 6 fingers on each hand. He was prejudiced because of this and can only find acceptance, happiness, and unity by playing the piano and making friends with people who are visually impaired and loved him just the way he was (since they could not see his hands).
Recently, Curtis featured Dagwood of the Blondie comic as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. Unlike Dennis The Menace , Hi And Lois , B.C. (comic) , Family Circus , or Baby Blues , the other comic strips that participated in the anniversary crossover, Curtis took an extended storyline lasting from August 29 to September 3 , like Hagar The Horrible . Also, Curtis was featured in the 75th Anniversary strip on September 4 .
- Curtis Wilkins- Main character. A rap fan with a huge crush on a girl named Michelle. He has a huge appetite and a talent for getting himself into trouble. Always wears a baseball cap any way but forward (according to the storyline, he got it at birth from his father)
- Barry Wilkins- Curtis's brother. Often likes to annoy Curtis. Their parents consider Barry to be more trustworthy, while Curtis usually sees him as a brat. He whines when he has to eat his vegetables and has no qualms about mashing Curtis to a pulp when called on to do it.
- Diane Wilkins- Curtis's mother. A housewife, she tends to get irritated by Curtis' antics, but is always supportive of him when he has a problem.
- Greg Wilkins- Curtis's father. Works at the DMV and hates his job. He gained the habit of smoking when he was a teenager, and Curtis regularly tries (unsuccessfully) to get him to quit.
- Mrs. Nelson- Teacher. Since Curtis is the class joker, she doesn't get along very well with him.
- Michelle Grant- Girl Curtis likes. Considered self-centered by most of the other characters, she only likes Curtis as a friend and discourages his attempts to date her. She is an excellent singer and hopes to become a famous star, but so far things haven't worked out...
- Chutney- Girl who likes Curtis. It's ironic that Curtis only sees her as a friend, while he chases after Michelle.
- Gunk- Curtis's best friend. A native of the fictional Flyspeck Island, Gunk often gives some bizarre item to Curtis, with disastrous results (most often a Chameleon ).
- Gunther- The local Barber , who never gets Curtis' name right, and who claims to know nearly every famous person (and who has photos -- but always with a thumb covering the famous person)
- Derrick & "Onion"- Bullies . They make fun of Curtis by calling him "Wimpkins" & using " Yo' Mama Jokes ", and on occasion physically harass him (in one series they attempted to falsely accuse him of criminal activity). Curtis attempts to avoid them as much as possible.
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