Invader Zim Returns (Spoiler alert)

When you were a kid, a middle schooler, a high schooler, paranoid adult… you knew the truth was out there. Aliens are among us. Dib knows this too. But this isn’t about you or Dib! The IRKEN ARMY HAS RETURNED! HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH…

Invader Zim is back to wreak havoc on Earth.

Jhonen Vasquez, the master mind behind Invader Zim brought back his favorite under achiever as a comic. The original cartoon was developed by Nickelodeon in 2001. It took the adult viewing audience by storm with stories that were weird, filling a niche that hadn’t been filled since Animaniacs (RIP 93-98) was cancelled. The episodes had levels to them and references that tweens and strange adults could enjoy. The only competition at the time were web cartoons like Foamy the Squirrel from Neurotically Yours and the short-lived Lenore: The Cute Little Dead Girl. Beetlejuice was no longer in syndication and Ruby Gloom hadn’t yet been developed. These were the dark days.

We can now rejoice!

Zim has returned and it was all part of his plan. Poor Dib. He still lives next to Dib and Dib still wants to expose him as an alien. MWAHAHA.

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

MINI MOOSE!

I read the first issue of the Invader Zim comic. It was my duty as a fan since his days in Carpe Noctem, the Zine, to read. I wasn’t sure what to expect because JTHM always took a nice chunk of time to read. Each issue had so many things written into the back ground and around the panels it took patience. Plus, if you didn’t look at everything in the panel you were missing half the jokes. The new comic for Invader Zim, is a condensed version of his usual comic style. There is still frenetic art and long blocks of charged dialogue. I read the comic in a very short period of time and then went back and looked over all the panels to see if I missed anything. Afterwards I had felt compelled to watch the series on Hulu!

Needless to say, Zim is back!

I can’t wait for issue 2 because the first issue was just reintroduction of the characters. I  did find one panel very funny though:

This is pretty much what he told the fans when a chance at making more episodes fell through.  Nickelodeon kept stringing him along for years. Out of love for his fans, Jhonen told them flat-out new episodes just weren’t going to happen and not because he didn’t try.

Gaz is back too! I adore her and her hatred for her brother. She’s venomous. Her prowess at making his life difficult is only rivaled by her ability to play video games.

On top of everything there was a montage! Dib had to get back into shape. The issue takes time to explain why there was a large break and help introduce you to the principle characters once more. They did a great job. The writing and art were fantastic.

The next issue hits stores August 19. Go. GO NOW! Subscribe to the comic you FOOLS!

P.S. Absolutely do not sing the doom song to Jhonen. I’ve heard it drives him nuts. After re-watching the first episode of the show, I can see why.