Early examples:
* Video game manuals: These often used simple sprite-based comics to explain gameplay, providing some of the earliest examples of sprite comics.
* Fan-made comics: In the early days of gaming, fans would often create their own comics using hand-drawn sprites or even modifying existing game sprites. These were often shared through fanzines and later, online forums.
Notable early online creators:
* "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" manga: This 1993 manga by Akira Himekawa is considered an early example of a sprite comic that gained significant popularity. It used official sprites from the game, paving the way for other fan-made comics.
* "Mega Man" and "Sonic the Hedgehog" comics: These popular fan-made comics, which appeared online in the late 1990s, helped to solidify the format of using video game sprites in webcomics.
The rise of dedicated online communities:
* "Newgrounds" and "DeviantArt": These online platforms became hubs for sprite comic creators in the early 2000s, allowing creators to share their work and build communities around specific games and characters.
Conclusion:
While it's impossible to name a single "first" sprite comic maker, the history of sprite comics is closely tied to the evolution of video game fandom and online communities. Early examples can be found in fan-made comics, game manuals, and even official merchandise. The rise of online platforms like Newgrounds and DeviantArt provided a platform for the format to flourish and reach a wider audience.