From the press release:

Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the “SpongeBob SquarePants,” television series, now in its eleventh year on Nickelodeon, announces the release of the first issue of his new, bimonthly, comic book series SpongeBob Comics, published by United Plankton Pictures, Inc. Although SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and the rest of the underwater inhabitants of Bikini Bottom have previously appeared in the pages of Nickelodeon Magazine and in Tokyopop’s Cine-Manga series, SpongeBob Comics #1 marks the first time the characters have appeared in their own comic books in the United States and the first time that Hillenburg is authoring his own books.

“I’m hoping that fans will enjoy finally having a ‘SpongeBob’ comic book from me,“ says Hillenburg. “All the stories will be original and always true to the humor, characters, and universe of the ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ series.”

Chris Duffy, the former Senior Editor of Nickelodeon Magazine, serves as Managing Editor and joins Publisher, Stephen Hillenburg in this much-awaited adventure. Together they have gathered a seaworthy collection of comic book writers and artists to contribute to each issue and to launch SpongeBob Comics on its maiden voyage, including: James Kochalka (Johnny Boo, American Elf), Hilary Barta (Fear Agent), Graham Annable (Grickle), Gregg Schigiel (X-Babies), and Jacob Chabot (Mighty Skullboy Army, X-Babies).

Every issue of SpongeBob Comics will feature a full 32-pages of feature length stories, shorts, and fun pages, suitable for all ages. In the first issue, SpongeBob has a recurring nightmare about his favorite cereal; Squidward introduces music to the Krusty Krab; and Mermaid Man is freaked out by a fan who won’t…stop…staring! Also, Patrick and SpongeBob team up for the most idiotic joke ever; SpongeBob learns to glow; and readers are invited to draw the absorbing one’s new hairdo.

Each new bimonthly SpongeBob Comics issue retails for $2.99 U.S. and is distributed through Bongo Comics Group, Matt Groening’s comic book company, which publishes Simpsons Comics, Bart Simpson, and Futurama Comics, among other titles,

SpongeBob Comics is published six times a year by United Plankton Pictures, Inc., P.O. Box 1963, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1963.

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