Dave Coverly, who grew up in Plainwell, Michigan, is the creator of the cartoon panel “Speed Bump”, which runs internationally in 400 newspapers and websites, including the Washington Post, The Globe & Mail (Toronto), and the Detroit Free Press. His work was named “Best in Newspaper Panels” by the National Cartoonists Society, in 1995, 2003, 2014 and 2022.
In 2009 the same organization gave him its highest honor, the prestigious Reuben Award, for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year”.
“Speed Bump” cartoons are published by several greeting card companies, including American Greetings, RSVP, Marian Heath, and NobleWorks.
Coverly’s cartoons have also appeared in The New Yorker, USA Today, The New York Times, Newsweek, Esquire, Ranger Rick, Jr., and have been a regular feature in Parade. He is also the principle cartoonist for BarkBox.
His cartoon compilation books include Speed Bump: A Collection of Cartoon Skidmarks (Andrews McMeel), Cartoons for Idea People (ECW), Just One %$#@ Speed Bump After Another (ECW), Laughter is the Best Medicine (Sellers), and Dogs Are People, Too (Macmillan). Children’s picture books include Sue MacDonald Had a Book (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan), and The Very Inappropriate Word (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan). His chapter book series began with Night of the Living Worms: The Misadventures of Speed Bump & Slingshot (October 2015, Macmillan), and continues with Night of the Living Shadows (October 2016, Macmillan) and Night of the Living Zombie Bugs (October 2017, Macmillan).
Coverly earned his BS with a double major in Imaginative Writing and Philosophy at Eastern Michigan University, and received his MA in Creative Writing from Indiana University.
In 2011, he was asked to give the commencement address at EMU, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts.
He lives with his wife, Chris, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has two adult daughters, Alayna and Simone. He may be reached via his website: www.speedbump.com.
