Speed Bump comic strips deliver smart, single-panel humor that blends everyday absurdities with razor-sharp wit. Created by the talented Dave Coverly, the series turns simple situations—like a shopping trip, a job interview, or even a time-traveling mistake—into laugh-out-loud observations on modern life. Whether it’s a lemon in an interrogation room or a ghost tormented by a clothing tag, these comics capture the hilarious side of life’s weirdest moments.
About the Artist: Dave Coverly
Dave Coverly is the creator of the award-winning Speed Bump comic, a single-panel series syndicated in over 400 newspapers worldwide. Known for his offbeat humor and satirical edge, Coverly has a knack for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary punchlines. His comics often feature animals, aliens, and everyday folks caught in hilariously relatable scenarios. In 2009, he received the National Cartoonists Society’s prestigious Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. Coverly’s style balances expressive, whimsical art with clever wordplay and social commentary.
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1. Mermaid Rejects Humanity
A mermaid drowns a romantic fantasy with a brutal truth bomb: she could never love a human—especially one responsible for all the garbage littering her ocean home. This punchy comic cleverly skewers our environmental impact with a humorous jab. The setting may be whimsical, but the message is clear: we’ve polluted more than just the water—we’ve ruined the dating pool too.
2. Canine Improv Comedy
A group of dogs puts on an improv show, but the lead pup is tired of the standard commands like “sit” and “roll over.” He begs the crowd for better material. It’s a hilariously original take on dog behavior and performance art. If dogs had comedy clubs, this is what they’d be barking about.
3. Forgetful Time Traveler
After returning from the future in a full sci-fi getup, this time traveler admits he totally forgot what he came back to warn everyone about. It’s a laughably accurate depiction of memory loss wrapped in a time travel joke. Classic Speed Bump—big idea, small (and funny) human flaw.
4. Stone-Age Real Estate
In prehistoric times, even caves have a market value. A cavewoman realtor shows off a rocky “fixer-upper,” citing the low price as a perk. The pun on “digger-upper” makes this comic stone-cold hilarious. It’s Flintstones meets Zillow, and the humor hits home.
5. Manly Shopping Rules
A father instills manly shopping etiquette in his young son: “No browsing.” This short but sharp strip pokes fun at stereotypical male shopping habits. The boy’s wide-eyed innocence clashes perfectly with his dad’s no-nonsense rulebook. It’s a funny commentary on learned behavior—and retail impatience.
6. Bail-Saving Parents
Two rough-looking dads sip drinks while a baby with a hammer marches by. One casually says they’re saving for bail already. This comic leans into dark humor territory, flipping parenting pride on its head. The mix of baby cuteness and criminal foreshadowing is twisted in the best way.
7. Interrogating a Lemon
A lemon sits tied to a chair under a swinging lightbulb while two men interrogate it. One delivers the line: “We can do this the hard way or the easy peasy lemon squeezy way.” It’s a perfect, ridiculous visual pun, turning a citrus fruit into a suspect and a catchphrase into a comedy weapon.
8. Mirror Tech Support
The Evil Queen stands puzzled while a technician explains her “face recognition app” isn’t compatible with her old enchanted mirror. It’s a genius blend of fairytale and tech frustration. This comic merges fantasy and reality in a hilariously broken user experience.
9. Dog Polygraph Test
A dog dressed like a human undergoes a polygraph test. The first question? “Are you a good boy?” The premise alone is adorable and hilarious, and the idea that a dog might lie (or not know the answer) takes pet-owner humor to a new level of brilliance.
10. Ghostly Wardrobe Woes
Two ghosts drift through limbo, but one’s main complaint isn’t purgatory—it’s the itchy clothing tag he can’t remove. This comic is absurd and relatable all at once. Even in the afterlife, wardrobe problems haunt us. It’s simple, silly, and totally Speed Bump.
Final Thoughts
The Speed Bump comic series delivers some of the wittiest, most unexpected punchlines in modern humor. Dave Coverly has a talent for taking bizarre concepts—ghosts, lemons, or talking dogs—and grounding them in hilarious, all-too-human truths. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time reader, these strips are guaranteed to make you laugh, think, and maybe even relate in weirdly comforting ways. For more comic hilarity, visit TheHumorSide.com and dive into the funny side of life.
