Witty comics humor is an art form, and nobody masters it quite like Dave Coverly in his legendary Speed Bump series. These one-panel masterpieces pack more punch than most entire comic strips, delivering clever setups, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud moments with surgical precision. Whether it’s a caveman complaining about delivery windows or squirrels raiding birdseed with supply chain excuses, Coverly’s humor is perfectly tuned for our absurd world
About the Artist — Dave Coverly
Dave Coverly is the clever mind behind the award-winning comic series Speed Bump, a syndicated one-panel comic that has carved its place among the sharpest humor in modern cartooning. With a whimsical touch and subtle sarcasm, Coverly has earned accolades like the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award and the best newspaper panel award multiple times.
#1 Throwing Off the Plan.
“Throw on 3?” turns into a classic mob-movie blunder, as the victim gets tossed in before the countdown finishes. This panel captures Coverly’s knack for turning a dark situation into a laugh-out-loud moment. Timing really is everything—especially in crime comedies.
#2 Chickens and the Wedding Shuffle.
In a barnyard twist on social commentary, chickens are confused by the human tradition of dance-floor absurdity. “The person dance” is a brilliant mirror to how silly traditions can look from the outside. Or, in this case, from the coop.
#3 King Arthur’s Culinary Quest.
Whoever can pull the kitchen knives from the stone shall be the royal chef! Coverly reimagines medieval legend with a cooking twist that makes you wonder how many blades it takes to make a salad for a king.
#4 Bottlenose Wrapperfin Sighting
A dolphin mistakes trash for sea creatures—and honestly, who can blame it? This witty jab at ocean pollution is both adorable and pointed. Coverly’s subtle environmentalism speaks volumes through the smallest punchlines.
#5 DIY Wool Struggles.
This sheep has mastered self-care—almost. One unreachable patch is the relatable cherry on top of this cartoon’s charm. If you’ve ever tried a home haircut, you’ll feel seen.
#6 Herd Therapy Session.
“Shepherd? Or control freak?” This comic flips the script on the age-old herding narrative. The sheep might be the only one saying it out loud, but we’ve all thought it.
#7 Fire Signals Gone Wrong
“Looks like Sits-Near-Fire butt-signaled again.” Primitive communication has never looked so awkward. Coverly takes us way back to the Stone Age with tech-age humor. Smoke signals meet autocorrect.
#8 Cupid’s Side Hustle.
Two cherubs flying overhead admit to targeting dogs for fun. The resulting awkward human interaction below? Pure gold. It’s uncomfortable, innocent, and hilarious all at once.
#9 Meet the Loud Family.
In a restaurant of eccentric characters, each diner brings a whole personality. Whether it’s colon oversharing or toddler screams, this is dinner theater at its finest—without the tickets.
#10 Astral Body Theft.
This meditating man didn’t watch his spiritual body closely enough. The result? Street-art-level graffiti across his limbs. A perfect blend of enlightenment and urban comedy.
#11 Supply Chain Mayhem.
Squirrels rob a guy mid-snack with the excuse “It’s time to hit the supply chain.” It’s timely, topical, and totally nuts—literally. Bonus points for the stunned face of the guy duct-taped to a tree.
#12 Boulder Déjà Vu.
Siege warfare meets dry office humor: “We did use this boulder before.” Coverly’s ability to parody serious moments with mundane dialogue never misses the mark.
#13 The Self-Cleaning Disaster.
Who knew a toaster could go full auto-destruct? “Self-cleaning” becomes “self-incinerating” in this comic that captures every inventor’s worst fear—and spouse’s worst breakfast.
#14 The Handwritten Ransom Note.
One mom takes a moment to appreciate the old-fashioned charm of a handwritten letter—too bad it’s a ransom note. It’s disturbingly wholesome and sharply funny.
#15 Emotional Support… Dog?
A dog scolds its human for “just liking posts” and not offering real emotional support. This one flips the roles and the logic flawlessly, with deadpan brilliance.
#16 Hollywood’s Dark Side
A dog in a film exec’s office complains that “good dogs” dominate the media. It’s noir-dog energy with a side of meta commentary. Who knew bad dogs wanted a bigger cinematic presence?
#17 Fetching at the Bar
The “gentleman” at the bar keeps sending tennis balls. Yes, it’s a dog. And yes, it’s been trying to flirt. This clever gag mixes bar romance tropes with pet behavior—awkwardness well executed.
#18 The Fire Guy Delivery Window.
Stone Age delivery is rough. Waiting for the “guy with two rocks” is a hilarious take on our current package tracking woes. Apparently, some things never change—even in caveman times.
#19 Porch Pirate Problem Solved.
Two knights discover a dragon has been stealing their Amazon packages. Fantasy meets modern life in a genius parody of e-commerce delivery blues.
#20 The Eternal Meeting.
Welcome to hell—literally. And your torture? A never-ending corporate meeting. This comic taps into a universal dread, making it darkly funny and wildly accurate.
Final Thoughts
Witty comics humor doesn’t get sharper than this. Dave Coverly’s Speed Bump series turns everyday logic on its head and adds a twist of the absurd that’s impossible not to laugh at. These 20 one-panel gems show just how clever, fresh, and darkly delightful Coverly’s work continues to be.
Credit:
All comics featured are by Dave Coverly.
📌 Official Website: speedbump.com
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