5 reasons you should be reading SpongeBob Comics

1. As well as the many talented writers who didn't/don't work on the show itself, there are often contributions by some of the most beloved ex-crew members including Derek Drymon, Jay Lender, Sam Henderson and Kaz. Kaz has since returned to the show crew but he has upcoming stories in the comic book too.
2. The artists have an incredible amount of freedom and aren't restricted to staying on-model, which results in dozens of different takes on the characters and makes the comic a lot of fun to read. Some of the stories look almost exactly like the cartoon and others are completely bizarre.
3. Unlike episodes of the show, the comic comes out on a regular monthly schedule, so it's a very reliable source for your SpongeBob needs.
4. There's a whole lot of Mermaid Man. Since Ernest Borgnine sadly passed away in 2012 and there are no plans to replace him, it's unclear whether we'll ever see Mermaid Man in an episode again. Whether the writers of SpongeBob Comics are aware of this or whether they simply use Mermaid Man a lot because of the superhero/comic book connection, Mermaid Man turns up way more regularly than he ever did in the show. If you miss Mermaid Man, you'll be pleased to know that he very much lives on in the comics.
5. SpongeBob Comics are, like, totally educational. Not just because reading is good for you brain, but because there is a regular strip by Maris Wicks that explains ocean facts in a funny and appealing way. Impress your Biology teacher with your knowledge of tardigrades, ecosystems and hydrothermal vents.

Supmandude said:

I still haven't gotten any. I need to buy some soon, but I keep feeling like I should get all the back issues before the newest one. =/

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Cha said:

Reader since 2011 here. That comic where everyone becomes superheroes and defeats Gene Scallop was amazing. The stories feel so great because they're not forced to be in the Krusty Krab all the time. We can see the Kelp Forest, SpongeBob taking care of Mr. Krabs house, dream worlds and etc. Remember that time Plankton went into depth about the sad reality of his life and how he wanted to change? Or when MM called BB "Kyle" again? I haven't re-read the comics much, but I have read every one of them up to 40 and they're completely worth it.

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DadMom AngryPants said:

There's an extended Derek Drymon story that spans issues #32 to #36 but apart from that it doesn't matter what order you read them.

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DadMom AngryPants said:

There's an extended Derek Drymon story that spans issues #32 to #36 but apart from that it doesn't matter what order you read them.

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BabySmitty said:

That was "The Squishy Knight" by Jay Lender. I have never laughed so hard at a single comic.

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DadMom AngryPants said:

I read that one last night.

"I have to punch my MOM!"
"Too dark! Too dark!"

What I also like about "The Squishy Knight" is that it features a character that was introduced to the show after Jay Lender's time. I think it's really cool that he acknowledged that episode.

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BabySmitty said:

I think so, too. However, I did have a moment of fridge horror. If a post-movie episode was acknowledged by a writer on pre-movie Spongebob, in the official comic book.... does that mean that "The Splinter" and "One Coarse Meal" are canon?

anyway, I wish Jay Lender would do more Spongebob comics. That one comic was so ::dolphin noise::ing funny.

"and BUBBLE BASS!" "Interpretive dance is overrated!"

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DadMom AngryPants said:

He did a super adorable comic on the back cover of issue #10 too.

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BabySmitty said:

Wait, who did? I only have ten or so issues total. I started at issue 30-something, I think, and have a couple random back issues.

I looked up a list of all the SB comics that Stephen Hillenburg contributed art to. I think there are three. He's done paintings for them. I love seeing his work.

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DadMom AngryPants said:

Jay Lender.

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DadMom AngryPants said:

http://www.sbmania.net/pictures.php?img=xxMSkMjnTai37Bqh%2B5ZlpA8NHLMhNay%2FpLcnHReRJ%2Bs%3D​

Now that the second movie has been released and we aren't expecting regular new episode premieres until later this year, it looks like fans are in for another long stretch of waiting. There is, however, another way to get your SpongeBob fix – in comic book form!

Here are just a few reasons you should be as excited for new issues of the comic as you are for new episodes of the show. And even if you aren't excited for new episodes of the show you should be excited for the comic anyway.

• As well as the many talented writers who didn't/don't work on the show itself, there are often contributions by some of the most beloved ex-crew members including Derek Drymon, Jay Lender, Sam Henderson and Kaz. Kaz has since returned to the show crew but he has upcoming stories in the comic book too.
• The artists have an incredible amount of freedom and aren't restricted to staying on-model, which results in dozens of different takes on the characters and makes the comic a lot of fun to read. Some of the stories look almost exactly like the cartoon and others are completely bizarre.
• Unlike episodes of the show, the comic comes out on a regular monthly schedule, so it's a very reliable source for your SpongeBob needs.
• There's a whole lot of Mermaid Man. Since Ernest Borgnine sadly passed away in 2012 and there are no plans to replace him, it's unclear whether we'll ever see Mermaid Man in an episode again. Whether the writers of SpongeBob Comics are aware of this or whether they simply use Mermaid Man a lot because of the superhero/comic book connection, Mermaid Man turns up way more regularly than he ever did in the show. If you miss Mermaid Man, you'll be pleased to know that he very much lives on in the comics.
• SpongeBob Comics are, like, totally educational. Not just because reading is good for you brain, but because there is a regular strip by Maris Wicks that explains ocean facts in a funny and appealing way. Impress your Biology teacher with your knowledge of tardigrades, ecosystems and hydrothermal vents.

Click to expand...

DadMom AngryPants said:

There's an extended Derek Drymon story that spans issues #32 to #36 but apart from that it doesn't matter what order you read them.

Click to expand...