Cover Story: Obamacare Blown Covers

We seldom attempt to anticipate the news when we solicit ideas for the covers, but I made an exception recently, in the week leading up to the Supreme Court ruling on Obama’s health-care law. I told the artists that the decision, to be announced on Thursday morning, right before we’d go to press, would herald a real defeat for Obama and the end of health-care coverage for many—hence this sketch by Christoph Niemann.

See below for a slide show of images that become even funnier when you know that none of this ever happened.

Nothing was known about the upcoming decision, except that it was to be written by Chief Justice Roberts, seen here in a sketch by Barry Blitt, bringing the gavel down.


When artists start thinking, they often send many ideas. Christoph Niemann conflated the gavel with a reflex hammer.


Many, like Bob Staake in this pencil sketch, found funny and graphic ways to depict the anticipated reality of the law being struck down.


Niemann, again, now showing the President with his hands tied…


…while Barry Blitt shows him taking his medicine.


Bob Staake tops himself with this sketch of Chief Justice Roberts about to push granny down the stairs of the Supreme Court Building.


Thursday morning, right after 10 A.M., the ruling is read. Within fifteen minutes, Bob Staake has adapted his thinking—and his sketch—to the new reality.


The image chosen for the cover, “In Good Health,” shows a triumphant Dr. Obama, also created by Bob Staake. It was sent to the printer on Thursday night, just after midnight.