A Teen Titan has just received a hilarious new nickname, making it undeniable that SpongeBob SquarePants is now canon within the DC Universe. What makes this nod to the Nickelodeon series even better is that SpongeBob has been tied to the DCU since the show’s early days, with two of its most iconic characters—Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy—being a mash-up of at least seven DC heroes. Can you guess who?
Mark Waid and Emanuela Lupacchino’s World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4 stands out in their mini-series, combining humor with a deep dive into several of the Teen Titans’ relationships. The issue focuses on Wally “Kid Flash” West, Roy “Speedy” Harper, and Garth, AKA Aqualad, as the latter two spend the weekend at Wally’s house.
However, the sleepover isn’t all fun and games, as tension builds between the boys, with Roy, in particular, showing his dislike for Garth. This leads to Roy lightly bullying Garth, including giving him the admittedly hilarious nickname “SpongeBob,” which definitively establishes that SpongeBob SquarePants exists within the DCU.
Roy “Speedy” Harper Calls Aqualad ‘SpongeBob’—And It Fits Surprisingly Well
World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4 Makes Hilarious Reference to the SpongeBob SquarePants Episode “Tea at the Treedome”
Initially believing he was Wally’s only guest for the weekend, Roy is taken aback when he walks into the kitchen and sees Garth, whom he has previously confessed to finding “weird.” Consequently, Roy isn’t exactly Garth’s biggest fan; upon seeing him, he shouts, “SpongeBob!?” in surprise, referencing Aqualad’s ocean origins. The unexpectedness of the nickname makes the moment even funnier, especially since Aqualad is depicted chugging a pitcher of water, adding an inherent silliness to the scene. However, the real humor lies in the fact that this is actually an additional SpongeBob reference that fans of the Krusty Krab worker will undoubtedly recognize.
Aqualad chugging a pitcher of water parodies one of the most iconic SpongeBob moments, specifically referencing Season 1, Episode 3, titled “Tea at the Treedome.” In this episode, SpongeBob visits Sandy for the first time in her underwater treedome, where she can live without wearing her diver’s suit. However, Sandy is unaware that SpongeBob needs water, and the dry environment wreaks havoc on him, causing him to dry out. This leads to hilarious tension as he faces a pitcher of ice water, repeatedly telling himself, “I don’t need it,” before eventually yelling, “I NEED IT!” and chugging the water in desperation. Thus, Aqualad drinking from the pitcher serves as a tribute to this classic scene.
Aqualad Gets More Water-Themed Nicknames—Including a Hilarious Katy Perry Reference
Garth’s Speedy-Given Nicknames in World’s Finest: Teen Titans: Spongebob, Left Shark, Squidling, and Wrinklefingers
SpongeBob is far from the only teasing, ocean-themed nickname that Roy calls Garth; the arrow-inclined hero also refers to Aqualad as “Squidling” and “Wrinklefingers,” both of which are undeniably unique and clever. Squidling, when broken down, is Speedy essentially calling Aqualad a baby squid, which serves as a jab at both Garth’s youth and ocean origins. Wrinklefingers, on the other hand, is a more nuanced reference, alluding to how fingers begin to shrivel at the tips if they remain in water for too long, once again tying back to Garth’s typical environment. While there is humor in both of these nicknames, they pale in comparison to Roy calling Garth “Left Shark.”
“Left Shark” refers to one of the backup dancers from Katy Perry’s Super Bowl XLIX halftime performance in 2015. As she sang Teenage Dream and Firework, one dancer, dressed as a shark, stood out for being hilariously less synchronized than his counterpart, the “Right Shark.” Almost overnight, Left Shark transformed into a pop culture phenomenon, with viewers finding his lackluster and goofy dance moves hilarious. Thus, when Roy calls Garth Left Shark, it’s both another clever ocean-themed jab and a nod to real-life pop culture, subtly suggesting that Katy Perry is part of the DC Universe too.
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Despite the amusement sparked by these nicknames, they reveal the strained relationship between Garth and Roy, largely due to Roy’s behavior. Even though they are teammates, these belittling names showcase Speedy’s lack of respect for Aqualad. This disrespect is apparent to Wally’s parents, who confront their son about Roy’s meanness toward Garth. Garth defends Roy, explaining to Wally’s parents that his home life and lack of attention from Oliver Queen contribute to his behavior. However, Roy overhears this conversation and misinterprets it as Garth insulting him, further straining their relationship.
While the Teen Titans are much closer at the end of the series than they were at the beginning, fans are left wanting more closure regarding Garth and Roy’s dynamic. Fortunately, fans may soon gain further insight into their relationship, as Roy is set to rejoin the Titans in October. This ongoing series features the original Teen Titans all grown up, along with added members like Starfire and Cyborg. With Roy now going by Arsenal and Garth as Tempest, their adulthood adds an intriguing layer to their relationship, and their interactions in Titans will reveal whether they have moved beyond their childhood differences.
SpongeBob’s Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy Spoof Aquaman, Aqualad, Batman, Robin… and More!
Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy Are a Mash-Up of DC’s Silliest Superhero Tropes
With all the discussion surrounding Aqualad and SpongeBob, it’s a perfect opportunity to highlight how Merman and Barnacle Boy serve as parodies of some of DC’s most iconic characters, including Aqualad himself. At a surface level, Merman and Barnacle Boy clearly spoof Aquaman and Aqualad. This is evident not only through their underwater theme and names but also their costumes. Merman’s outfit mirrors Arthur Curry’s earliest suits, featuring Aquaman’s signature orange top, green leggings, matching gloves, and black shorts. Similarly, Barnacle Boy’s look rips off Aqualad’s classic red and blue color scheme.
However, the dynamic between Merman and Barnacle Boy resembles the relationship between Adam West’s and Burt Ward’s Batman and Robin from the ’60s TV series more than the dynamic between Aquaman and Aqualad. Merman mimics The Dark Knight, while Barnacle Boy embodies The Boy Wonder, incorporating goofiness, corny catchphrases, and the iconic fight sequences filled with words like “POW!,” “BAM!,” and “NAP!”—similar to those found in the Batman & Robin show. Merman even sports a utility belt packed with gadgets for nearly any situation, echoing Batman’s own.
The “Invisible Boatmobile” is also a clear mash-up of Batman’s Batmobile and Wonder Woman’s Invisible Jet. Additionally, Merman and Barnacle Boy touch the tips of their two golden rings together and recite “the oath,” likely paying homage to the Wonder Twins’ iconic phrase, “Wonder Twin powers activate!” and ring touch. Thus, while SpongeBob SquarePants’ Merman and Barnacle Boy may be obvious spoofs of Aquaman and Aqualad, they also parody many other iconic DC heroes.
World’s Finest: Teen Titans #4 is available now from DC Comics!
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SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is the optimistic and energetic sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. He works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab and is known for his enthusiastic personality, infectious laughter, and childlike innocence. His adventures often involve his best friend Patrick Star, his grumpy neighbor Squidward, and his various attempts to master tasks with unbridled enthusiasm.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
