Summary
Highlights
SpongeBob SquarePants, born in 1999, has roots tracing back to 1989. The first version of SpongeBob appeared in a comic titled "The Intertidal Zone," created by Stephen Hillenburg while teaching marine biology. Hillenburg considered this comic a perfect fusion of his interests, inspiring him to pursue the idea further.
For years, "The Intertidal Zone" was considered lost media, with only a few panels surfaced. However, in late April of this year, storyboard artist Christian McCord received a real-world copy of the comic as a gift. He then scanned and uploaded the entire comic online, making it accessible to the public on the internet archive for the first time.
The comic, copyrighted in 1989, opens with 'Bob the Sponge' introducing readers to the fascinating world of marine biology. This early version of Bob, a sea sponge with sunglasses, serves as a clear blueprint for the later SpongeBob SquarePants character. The comic also features other aquatic life that would inspire characters and elements in Bikini Bottom, such as anemones, plankton, and a sea cucumber with a familiar design.
Although "The Intertidal Zone" concluded, it wasn't the end. A few years later, Hillenburg merged his love for marine biology and art into the cartoon that would become SpongeBob SquarePants, bringing joy to the world. The video encourages viewers to read the rediscovered comic, with a link provided in the description.