Korgoth of Barbaria is a pilot episode for what was originally planned as an American animated television series created by Aaron Springer, storyboard writer and director for Dexter's Laboratory, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Samurai Jack and SpongeBob SquarePants. The pilot episode first aired in the United States on June 3, 2006, at 12:30 AM (EST) on Adult Swim. The pilot was both a critical and commercial success, garnering high ratings. On June 18, 2006, Adult Swim ran a bumper announcing Korgoth of Barbaria was officially picked up as a series, because of the success of the pilot. Later events, including a formal petition to revive the show, would indicate that it was dropped before production began, due to high production costs.