Invader Zim

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Invader ZIM

Invader Zim logo.
Genre Comic science fiction
Created by Jhonen Vasquez
Written by Frank Conniff
Roman Dirge
Rob Hummel
Danielle Koenig
Courtney Lilly
Eric Trueheart
Jhonen Vasquez
Directed by Steve Ressel
Voices of Richard Steven Horvitz
Rosearik Rikki Simons
Andy Berman
Melissa Fahn
Wally Wingert
Kevin McDonald
Rodger Bumpass
Lucille Bliss
Theme music composer Kevin Manthei
Composer(s) Kevin Manthei
Country of origin  United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 27 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Mary Harrington
Jhonen Vasquez
Producer(s) Monique Beatty
Christine Griswold
Steve Ressel
Running time 23 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Nickelodeon
Original run First season: March 30, 2001 – December 10, 2002
Second season: June 10, 2006 - August 19, 2006
External links
Official website

Invader Zim, branded as Invader ZIM, is an Emmy-winning American animated television series that was produced by and subsequently aired on Nickelodeon.[1] The series is centered around an alien invader named Zim from the planet Irk who is attempting to conquer and/or destroy a dark and satirical version of the Earth. Zim's schemes are usually foiled by his small mistakes or by his arch-nemesis, Dib, a paranormal enthusiast who goes to school with Zim and seems to be obsessed with saving the Earth. He is one of the few characters who is aware of Zim's true identity, as the rest of humanity is either too unintelligent or apathetic to notice.

Nickelodeon had wanted to air a show for their "eleven to fifteen year-old" demographic when Invader Zim was first broadcast on March 30, 2001. Nickelodeon promoted Invader Zim for this purpose, and met critical acclaim, but did not provide a consistent time slot that the creators of the program thought was suitable for the intended demographic.[2] Consequently, the show suffered in the ratings after an initially lukewarm viewership.[3] When it was obvious that Nickelodeon would drop the show due to uninterest from executives and lower ratings, the crew requested that Invader Zim be moved to MTV as The Ren and Stimpy Show and Rocko's Modern Life had been, but this didn't work out even after the show entered syndication. Before the second season was completed, Nickelodeon canceled the series completely, leaving at least seven episodes and a planned television movie series finale unfinished.[4]

Because of its continued fan base and above average DVD sales since cancellation, Invader Zim has been labeled a cult hit.[5][6][7] The show completed its run in European and South American territories normally, and could previously be seen in syndication on Nicktoons Network, which started airing the completed season two episodes in Summer 2006. In Canada, YTV began airing the series on its Bionix programming block on September 8, 2006. The Invader Zim DVD collection has been released by Media Blasters in North America. The series has also been translated into several different languages for foreign broadcast after entering syndication.

Contents

[edit] Plot

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of Invader Zim characters

Zim: a member of the Irken military who infuriated the Almighty Tallest by overzealously destroying his own planet during Operation Impending Doom One, Zim is despised by pretty much everyone on his home planet, which is why he is sent on a "secret mission" to Earth. Zim is often prone to passionate outbursts proclaiming his Irken superiority, and he is extremely determined to vanquish the earth and reclaim his honor (even though he does not seem to be aware that he ever lost it, having thought of his exile to the planet Foodcourtia as more of a mission than an exile).

GIR: a dysfunctional "SIR unit" (Standard-Issue Information Retrieval) robot that usually causes more trouble than good. What the "G" stands for is unspecified; not even Gir himself knows. He is extremely random, with varying obsessions that range from tacos to giant pigs, and often behaves in a bizarre and uncontrollable manner. He is of little help to Zim, although occasionally aids him unintentionally.

Dib: Zim's main opponent on Earth. He is obsessed with the paranormal and instantly recognizes Zim as an alien, but has apparently "cried wolf" so many times that everyone derides him as crazy, including his sister and father.


Gaz: Dib's younger sister. She also plays a prominent role in the show, but rarely takes an active part in stopping Zim's schemes. She knows and admits that Zim is an alien, bent on the destruction of Earth, but doesn't care because "he's so bad at it", and she believes he is too stupid to be successful.

Almighty Tallest: The two Irken leaders, known as the Almighty Tallest, serve together because they are the tallest known Irkens. They are united in their love of destruction, torment of others and snacks, and in their hatred of Zim.

[edit] Supporting Characters

The main cast is supported by recurring characters such as Zim and Dib's teacher, Ms. Bitters. Later in the series, characters such as Sizz-Lor and Tak were introduced as extra antagonists for Zim. More depth to the show was added with Lard Narr and his resistance group; The Resisty. Before Invader Zim was cancelled, there were plans to utilize these characters in more depth.[citation needed] Jhonen Vasquez also frequently includes cameos from his first published comic series, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, into Invader Zim as well as cameos of the cast, crew, and various celebrities.[8]

[edit] Premise

Invader Zim revolves around the life of its lead character, Zim, his malfunctioning SIR Unit , GIR. and the humans, aliens, and/or demons who become involved in his schemes. Zim is a member of the imperialistic Irken race, an extraterrestrial species whose social hierarchy is based on height. The Irken leaders, known as the Almighty Tallest serve together because they are exactly the same height. As recounted during the series premiere, "The Nightmare Begins", Zim, who is both very short and very naïve, was banished to the planet Foodcourtia for overzealously attacking his own planet and allies[9] during Operation Impending Doom I.[10]

Upon hearing of Operation Impending Doom II, Zim escapes from his exile in Foodcourtia and arrives at the Great Assigning. Here, elite Irken soldiers are chosen to become Invaders; special soldiers whose mission it is to blend in with the indigenous life forms of their assigned planet, collect intelligence, and prepare the planet for conquest by the Irken Armada. Zim pleads with the Tallest to assign him a planet, and in a desperate act to get Zim as far away as possible, they assign him to a presumed planet on the outskirts of their known universe that has never been explored. This "Mystery Planet" is Earth, and Zim's erratic attempts at world domination and/or the eradication of the human race begin.

[edit] Production

Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez

Invader Zim was created by comic book writer Jhonen Vasquez. Vasquez indicated that very little of his writing style was changed, other than restricting language and certain visuals that may not be suitable for children.[11] The biggest difference that he cites is the change from working alone to working with thousands of people at Nickelodeon, calling it an "absolute misery".[11]

Apart from a few double length episodes, each episode is a self contained storyline. Sometimes the occurrences in previous episodes are mentioned but there is no continuing storyline other than the main invasion plot. According to the DVD commentaries, Invader Zim takes place in an alternate universe of its own, with a present-day Earth more technologically advanced than the real Earth.[citation needed] The most common setting of the show is where Zim spends most of his time "infiltrating" the human race: a school (spelled "Skool" in the show).

[edit] Episode broadcast

Main article: List of Invader Zim episodes

The two seasons of Invader Zim were produced before Nickelodeon canceled the show citing low ratings, over-budget production, and lack of interest in continuation of the series.[12] In season two, the animation style became slightly more stylized and pronounced in motion than season one.[13] The majority of the completed season two episodes were never aired on Nickelodeon in the North American territories, although they were all eventually aired on Nicktoons Network in the summer of 2006.

There were at least seven partially finished season two episodes with designs, voice overs, and storyboarding completed before cancellation. Additional episodes had completed scripts or were still in the outline stage when the show was canceled. These unfinished episodes included a two-part series finale in which Dib was to fight the Irken Armada by going to the aid of the planet Meekrob, which could have become a TV movie special, "Invader DIB".[14]

As of November 25, 2006 both seasons of Invader Zim are available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace[15] and on Zune Marketplace. In addition, the majority of the show's episodes are available for download on iTunes.[16]

[edit] Response

[edit] Critical reaction

Invader Zim was not initially well accepted by Nickelodeon's intended demographic, and failed to acquire a steady audience. However, it was critically accepted, winning multiple awards and nominations for the first episode alone. Since its cancellation, it has acquired renewed acclaim, with a 9.1/10 rating on TV.com[17] and a 9.2/10 on IMDb[18]. The DVD release has also renewed interest and re-evaluation of the show, receiving high scores and sales[19][20][21][22]. Invader Zim did not escape criticism however. When Invader Zim was launched along with The Fairly OddParents, Christian Parenting Today criticised both the programs. The publication said that both were unsuitable for children but Invader Zim was the far less offensive of the two.[23] More criticism came when Invader Zim was cited in the murder trial of Scott Dyleski. The prosecution asserted that the defendant had a fascination with images of body parts. They drew attention to comments he'd made after watching the Invader Zim episode "Dark Harvest", where Zim collects human organs in an attempt to appear more human. Witnesses for the defense however claimed that the comments were made in jest.[24]

[edit] Awards and nominations

During its initial broadcast, Invader Zim was the recipient of three awards and seven nominations.[25]

In 2001, Kyle Menke won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for "The Nightmare Begins" for his storyboarding,[26] as did Steve Ressel, who won an Annie for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production for "The Nightmare Begins".[27] That same year, Steve Ressel, Jhonen Vasquez, and Mary Harrington won the World Animation Celebration award for Best Title Sequence.[28]

The show was nominated for five other Annie Awards in 2001: Outstanding Achievement in a Primetime or Late Night Animated Television Production, Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television Production (Steve Ressel for episode "Dark Harvest"), Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music Score in an Animated Television Production (Kevin Manthei), Outstanding Individual Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television Production (Jhonen Vasquez), and Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Television Production (Richard Steven Horvitz).[27]

In 2002, the sound crew was nominated for the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Television - Animation for "The Nightmare Begins". In 2003, the show was nominated post-cancellation for an Annie for Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Television Production.[29]

[edit] Merchandise

Main article: Invader Zim merchandise

[edit] Home video

In May 2004, Media Blasters released the first volume of an official Invader Zim DVD collection in cooperation with Nickelodeon. By late 2004, two subsequent volumes completed the series release. A boxed set in the shape of Zim's house has also been released, which includes an extras disc with an alternate cut of "The Most Horrible X-mas Ever", complete voice overs for seven of the unfinished episodes, interviews with Kevin Manthei on the sound design and music of Invader Zim, and a soundtrack of Kevin Manthei's main compositions for the show. Originally this set included a duty-mode "GIR" figurine in a roof compartment in the box set, but Media Blasters silently stopped including it with the termination of Palisade, the toy company that had been producing Invader Zim figurines, without notifying distributors that the package had been altered[citation needed]. The three DVD volumes were re-released in late 2006 as a low-priced series box set without Zim's house as a case.

[edit] Figurines and accessories

A set of Invader Zim toys produced by Palisade Toys

Two series of Invader Zim figures were produced, including Zim, GIR, Dib, Ms. Bitters, and Almighty Tallest Purple in the first series and Human Disguise Zim, Doggie Disguise GIR, Gaz, Almighty Tallest Red, and the Robo-Parents in the second. A third series was planned with Santa Zim, Elf GIR, Professor Membrane, Tak, and Nightmare Bitters, but the manufacturer, Palisades Toys, ceased operations in early 2006.[30] A multitude of other toys were produced before the termination of Palisade, such as a miniature replica of the Voot Cruiser and a 12 inch "Mega GIR" figurine with a removable dog disguise. Many other licensed products exist such as iron on transfers, stickers, and keychains, which are commonly sold at retailers like Hot Topic.

[edit] Video games

  • On the popular flash video and game sharing website Newgrounds, several artists have made flash games and movies about Invader Zim. There are also flash videos on other works by Jhonen Vasquez such as Filler Bunny and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Newgrounds even gave Invader Zim its own "collection". The page contains all the dress-up games, soundboards, short movies, flashes inspired by Invader Zim, and the only two JTHM flash videos on the site.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Emmy Awards 2001: Futurama, Zim Only Slightly Ripped Off". RevolutionSF. http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=231. 
  2. ^ "Ask Jason Stiff". Buzzyworld. http://www.buzzyworld.com/zim/askjason/. 
  3. ^ "Nickelodeon Cans INVADER ZIM" (HTML). 18 January 2002. http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=11274. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  4. ^ Adam Tierney (1 September 2004). "An Interview with Jhonen Vasquez and Rikki Simons (page 2)" (HTML). http://dvd.ign.com/articles/543/543764p2.html. Retrieved on 2007-05-08. 
  5. ^ "'Invader Zim' invades Home Video.(Anime)(Media Blasters)(Brief Article)," Video Store, March 2004, accessed January 1, 2008
  6. ^ "Invader Zim profile on Clarktoys". Clarktoys. http://www.clarktoys.com/invaderzim.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-27. 
  7. ^ a b "Newgrounds Invader Zim collection". Newgrounds. http://www.newgrounds.com/collection/invaderzim. 
  8. ^ "Invader Zim cameo guide". Buzzyworld. http://www.buzzyworld.com/zim/cameos/. 
  9. ^ "The Frycook What Came from All That Space". Invader Zim. Nicktoons. 2006-08-19. No. 10, season 2. “Zim: I blew up more than any other Invader! / Almighty Tallest Red You blew up all the other Invaders.”
  10. ^ "The Frycook What Came from All That Space". Invader Zim. Nickelodeon. 2006-08-19. No. 10, season 2. “Control Brain: (sentencing Zim) No longer an invader, you will be banished to the Irken snacking planet of Foodcourtia.”
  11. ^ a b Shattuck, Kathryn (2001-03-25). "Fishbowl Fairies and an Alien in Exile". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E7D8133CF936A15750C0A9679C8B63. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  12. ^ Tierney, Adam (2004-09-01). "An Interview with Jhonen Vasquez and Rikki Simons". IGN. http://dvd.ign.com/articles/543/543764p1.html. 
  13. ^ Patrizio, Andy (2004-10-27). "Invader Zim: Horrible Holiday Cheer (Volume 3) review" (in English) (html). IGN. http://dvd.ign.com/articles/561/561066p1.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-04. 
  14. ^ "Zim guide with air dates". Buzzyworld. http://www.buzzyworld.com/zim/episodes/. 
  15. ^ Microsoft (2006-11-06). Invader ZIM to be on the XBOX Live marketplace. Press release. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1106-moviestv.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  16. ^ "Invader ZIM comes to iTunes" (HTML). 2006-06-20. http://macenstein.com/default/archives/329. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  17. ^ "Invader ZIM - TV.com". http://www.tv.com/invader-zim/show/3270/summary.html?q=invader%20zim&tag=search_results;title;1. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  18. ^ ""Invader ZIM" (2001)". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235923/. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  19. ^ "Science Fiction Movie and TV Reviews". http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue378/screen3.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  20. ^ "DVD REVIEW: 'Progressive Stupidity' Amusing for the In-Crowd - Latest Invader Zim DVDs a Must-Have for Fans - The Tech". http://www-tech.mit.edu/V124/N36/Invader_Zim.36a.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  21. ^ Andy Patrizio. "IGN: Invader Zim Volume 3: Horrible Holiday Cheer Review". http://dvd.ign.com/articles/561/561066p1.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  22. ^ "OAFE - Invader Zim: DVD box set review". http://oafe.net/shocka/zim2dvd.php. Retrieved on 2008-06-29. 
  23. ^ "Invader Zim. (a couple of unsuitable television programs for children)". Christian Parenting Today. 2001-05-01. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-729439_ITM. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  24. ^ Lee, Henry K. (2006-08-21). "Two teens testify for Dyleski". San Francisco Gate. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/21/BAG51KMGAT5.DTL. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  25. ^ ""Invader ZIM" (2001) - Awards". IMDB. http://imdb.com/title/tt0235923/awards. Retrieved on 2008-10-27. 
  26. ^ Feitwell, Jill (2001-08-13). "Emmy voices its winners". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117851166.html?categoryid=1057&cs=1. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  27. ^ a b "29th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners". ASIFA-Hollywood. 2001. http://annieawards.org/29thwinners.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  28. ^ "Nickelodeon Awards". Nick.com. http://www.nick.com/all_nick/everything_nick/awards_home.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  29. ^ "49th Golden Reel Awards Nominees Announced". Mixonline.com. 2002-02-28. http://mixonline.com/news/audio_th_golden_reel/. Retrieved on 2008-10-28. 
  30. ^ "Changes at Palisades Toy" (HTML). February 1, 2006. http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=174&itemid=8719. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 

[edit] External links

Sister project Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Invader Zim
v • d • e
Invader Zim
Episode list · Merchandise
Characters
Supporting characters
Crew
Video games
v • d • e
Jhonen Vasquez
Comic book series
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac (7 books, 1995-1997) • Squee! (4 books, 1997-1998) • I Feel Sick (2 books, 1999-2000) • Fillerbunny (3 books, 2000-2005)
Stand-alone comic books
TV filmography
Invader Zim (27 episode series, 2001-2002) • "Shut Me Up" (music video, airdate unknown)
Other
Preceded by
The Fairly OddParents		 Nicktoons
March 30, 2001		 Succeeded by
ChalkZone
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_Zim"
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