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Invader Zim #1-5
Invader Zim Volume 1
"Never has a comic so purposefully stupid lied on a foundation of comedic skill so honed and smart." You said it, Paste Magazine. From the far reaches of weird space to the incomprehensible world of underground art, ZIM is back! And his thirst for world domination has only grown! ZIM and his filthy evil ways have been gone for what feels like years. But Dib KNOWS the alien menace will rear his head again, and he won't leave the house, or his 900 security monitors, until it happens. And it WILL happen. Oh, it WILL. Collects the first five issues of the comic series based on the hit TV show, INVADER ZIM!
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
July 30, 2018
I picked up the Convention edition last year at Gen Con and knew that with the con right around the corner, I needed to read this so I could *hopefully* get the second book. I know the convention special of book 2 is a fuzzy Gir version, and I want it so bad!
I knew going into this that I was going to love it. I've been a rabid fangirl of Jhonen Vasquez since I was 13 and picking up JTHM from Hot Topic. After Invader Zim was released, I just knew that Vasquez was an author I'd continue to read for years to come.
Of course, I don't really keep up with what he puts out, so I don't even know if there's anything between this and JTHM, but maybe one day I'll google it.
Anyway, to the review: It's Invader Zim. If you've seen the show, that is this...or this is that...or whatever. If you haven't, you should definitely watch a few episodes of that before seeing if this is your cuppa.
It might not be. But is it still one of my favorites after all this time?
Always.
I knew going into this that I was going to love it. I've been a rabid fangirl of Jhonen Vasquez since I was 13 and picking up JTHM from Hot Topic. After Invader Zim was released, I just knew that Vasquez was an author I'd continue to read for years to come.
Of course, I don't really keep up with what he puts out, so I don't even know if there's anything between this and JTHM, but maybe one day I'll google it.
Anyway, to the review: It's Invader Zim. If you've seen the show, that is this...or this is that...or whatever. If you haven't, you should definitely watch a few episodes of that before seeing if this is your cuppa.
It might not be. But is it still one of my favorites after all this time?
Always.
January 3, 2017
Such a fun read. I had never heard of Invader Zim, although the Zim robot guy looks familiar. I think I've seen him in stuffed animal form. Anywho, Volume one is the first 5 chapters of this very funny series.
Invader Zim is an alien robot who has been outcasted by his society. I can't remember if he was sent to Earth or he crash landed and is making the most of it. Zim has decided to enroll in school and while there a fellow human notices he is not of this world. Dib is Zim's human nemesis.
Dib and his sister Gaz have lots of gadgets and secret bedroom lairs with all of this high tech stuff and their dad is some crazy scientist. The dad is pretty absent/hands on in this volume. Meaning you see him at breakfast and he helps his children out with their projects, but he also allows them to go into space on their own LOL.
Out of the 5 chapters, Chapter 5 was my favorite. Reason being, it's all about gaming. I am a huge World of Warcraft gamer and it just tickled me pink to have Dib be tormented for not being a gamer. Him being forced to play other games like Minecraft made me laugh out loud. That is my son's favorite game EVER! I think it is horrible, but to each his own. He loves it.
Great first volume. Hopefully they are all as funny as the first.
Invader Zim is an alien robot who has been outcasted by his society. I can't remember if he was sent to Earth or he crash landed and is making the most of it. Zim has decided to enroll in school and while there a fellow human notices he is not of this world. Dib is Zim's human nemesis.
Dib and his sister Gaz have lots of gadgets and secret bedroom lairs with all of this high tech stuff and their dad is some crazy scientist. The dad is pretty absent/hands on in this volume. Meaning you see him at breakfast and he helps his children out with their projects, but he also allows them to go into space on their own LOL.
Out of the 5 chapters, Chapter 5 was my favorite. Reason being, it's all about gaming. I am a huge World of Warcraft gamer and it just tickled me pink to have Dib be tormented for not being a gamer. Him being forced to play other games like Minecraft made me laugh out loud. That is my son's favorite game EVER! I think it is horrible, but to each his own. He loves it.
Great first volume. Hopefully they are all as funny as the first.
February 21, 2016
Everything about this is AMAZING! (Yes, I thought that in Zim's voice as I typed it. No, I'm not sorry).
March 25, 2016
Amazing! Zim, GIR, Dib & Gaz are back. It's like the TV show all over again. Crazy stories, weird characters, Zim shouting, snacks (although no Tacos yet), and complacent Tallest. Wonderful!
November 25, 2019
Honorable quotes I forgot to mention:
“Yaaay!!! I’m exploding!”.
“ I did another one of those weird farts and I’m really scared.”
“many chubby hot dog babies, and oh how they danced.”
Zim: what do we do with the art haters?
Everyone: put them in the haters closet!!
“ yah know what’s good? Pictures where clowns look scary, so you have any of those?”
“ hurry up my cheese is heavy!”
*Looks at burrito* what a lovely baby.
“Yaaay!!! I’m exploding!”.
“ I did another one of those weird farts and I’m really scared.”
“many chubby hot dog babies, and oh how they danced.”
Zim: what do we do with the art haters?
Everyone: put them in the haters closet!!
“ yah know what’s good? Pictures where clowns look scary, so you have any of those?”
“ hurry up my cheese is heavy!”
*Looks at burrito* what a lovely baby.
April 2, 2021
I love Invader Zim.
It makes me happy.
It makes me happy.
February 5, 2017
Total star rating: 4 stars. I liked it! I was a fan back in the day, but If you're not familiar with the material you're probably going to be lost and confused.
Okay so before I get onto the actual review, I want to say while I'm a fan of Jhonen's work I wouldn't consider myself in the "fandom." I just mostly like his art and writing. But to be honest, I just don't want to be associated with the fandom. No offense to the fandom. I just don't want people getting the wrong idea.
Now that being said Onto the review!
So with a goal as large as 150 books in a year, I can treat myself to a Graphic novel sometimes. They'er short, quick reads, with pretty pictures and colors. Good!I watched Invader Zim when it first aired on Nick way back in the day. I was probably eight and have very fond memories of the show, but you probably don't want to hear all about my nostalgia do you? So here are my thoughts of the graphic Novel so far.
It feels like the show, which for someone who likes Jhonan's dark sense of humor is fantastic. They give you enough backstory to catch you up on things, but I don't think you could jump into this and know what's going on without knowing what Invader Zim is. You could certainly try! But a lot of the humor relies on the fact that you know the characters. At least in my opinion.
So do I recommend this? Yeah, I would. I recommend almost anything by Jhonen. Just be prepared for a very dark sense of humor.
Okay so before I get onto the actual review, I want to say while I'm a fan of Jhonen's work I wouldn't consider myself in the "fandom." I just mostly like his art and writing. But to be honest, I just don't want to be associated with the fandom. No offense to the fandom. I just don't want people getting the wrong idea.
Now that being said Onto the review!
So with a goal as large as 150 books in a year, I can treat myself to a Graphic novel sometimes. They'er short, quick reads, with pretty pictures and colors. Good!I watched Invader Zim when it first aired on Nick way back in the day. I was probably eight and have very fond memories of the show, but you probably don't want to hear all about my nostalgia do you? So here are my thoughts of the graphic Novel so far.
It feels like the show, which for someone who likes Jhonan's dark sense of humor is fantastic. They give you enough backstory to catch you up on things, but I don't think you could jump into this and know what's going on without knowing what Invader Zim is. You could certainly try! But a lot of the humor relies on the fact that you know the characters. At least in my opinion.
So do I recommend this? Yeah, I would. I recommend almost anything by Jhonen. Just be prepared for a very dark sense of humor.
December 20, 2016
I have missed Zim and Gir. Like, so much. This was so much like the show it's scary. While I enjoyed the first four chapters, the last chapter (5) was by far the best. All of the video game puns!!!! Can't wait to read more.
August 14, 2018
If I had a dog, I'd name him GIR.
This is the first five (5) issues of the comic, which I had previously read. There are four stories, with the first one being the best and longest. However, they are not properly stories-- they're vignettes.
Going back to them after a long time was like seeing with new eyes. The first time I read the books, I was more interested in the stylized graphics. This time through, I payed more attention to Vásquez's stories. The existential humor of them was better than I remembered. Some of the twisty jokes needed to be read more than once. (I 'felt' there was a joke there.)
My favorite character is GIR. He is pure Id. Zim is pure Ego. Dib is OK, but his sister Gaz is to die for. I also like the paranormal cross-over character Ms. Bitters, who all the self-absorbed characters fail to notice is (likely) a demon.
I couldn't recommend this 'book' to everyone. A certain amount of fan boi-ism is a prerequisite for reading it. That's the quick way to get the whole of Invader Zim's purposefully stupidity and to see how darkly funny it really is.
This is the first five (5) issues of the comic, which I had previously read. There are four stories, with the first one being the best and longest. However, they are not properly stories-- they're vignettes.
Going back to them after a long time was like seeing with new eyes. The first time I read the books, I was more interested in the stylized graphics. This time through, I payed more attention to Vásquez's stories. The existential humor of them was better than I remembered. Some of the twisty jokes needed to be read more than once. (I 'felt' there was a joke there.)
My favorite character is GIR. He is pure Id. Zim is pure Ego. Dib is OK, but his sister Gaz is to die for. I also like the paranormal cross-over character Ms. Bitters, who all the self-absorbed characters fail to notice is (likely) a demon.
I couldn't recommend this 'book' to everyone. A certain amount of fan boi-ism is a prerequisite for reading it. That's the quick way to get the whole of Invader Zim's purposefully stupidity and to see how darkly funny it really is.
February 2, 2020
Keeping true to the majority of the TV show, it is a new story each week taking place on earth where Zim is trying to take it over in preparation for the invasion - but is not strictly always about Zim trying to destroy the world.
It is entertaining and well written, and the art is very true to the TV series. I will definitely continue reading this
It is entertaining and well written, and the art is very true to the TV series. I will definitely continue reading this
April 9, 2021
“Many chubby hotdog babies and how they danced..” I live for GIR! My first invader Zim graphic novel I wish I found this series and comics during it’s prime! I’m obsessed
March 1, 2024
This is a very fun series. It is great for fans of the cartoon.
July 3, 2025
No idea what I just read, but it was good. The video game one was cool. The Binding of Isaac ref got me GOOD.
July 10, 2016
Zim's back! In graphic form! I very much enjoyed this comic, being a fan of the author's cartoon and other work. In this one they do a fantastic job bringing back the Dib/Zim rivalry in all its absurdity, adhering (mainly) to the continuity of where the show left off, including all the GIR jokes (though some are on the predictable side, but what're you gonna do), and throwing in tons of made-up words (like "shmoop"). I also really like how even aliens are very human in their bullying tendencies, absurdity, obsession with capitalism, and social interaction. I also really enjoy how much Gaz hates her brother for some reason.
This contained a few different arcs: First it was Zim returning after Dib has been staking him out for ages and then the two have to fight (with Dib chasing Zim in an acquired Irken ship), only to have Zim embarrass him throughout the galaxy instead of actually hurting him. Then we had Zim posing as an artist so he could summon the Star Donkey and destroy the world. Then we had Zim being trolled by his race's leaders. And finally we had Dib pissing Gaz off by shutting off her game and regretting it oh so much.
Favorite bits:
GIR: "I ate a baby there!"
Zim: "He did."
Zim's interpretation of how Dib differs from other humans: "You were different, more persistent, uglier."
Zim and GIR demonstrating the havoc they can now wreak:
GIR: "I launched that poodle into space!"
Zim: "I thought you liked that poodle."
GIR: "Why I do this?"
Dib sings his own training montage to get back into shape to fight Zim, and Gaz complains, after which he just sings it more quietly. It is later his undoing.
Zim, while broadcasting to the Tallest: "I have to yell because GIR is making a smoothie!"
The universe's Biggest Ball of Shmoop has a sign on it that says "It's kind of sentient!"
The aliens keep helping you as long as you buy stuff from their tourist trap stores.
Dib, to his stolen ship: "Say something inspirational to get me going!"
Ship: "I hate that you're touching me."
When Gaz pretends she's going to help her brother; he says he's going to do the thing and she says "Not without me you're not!" But then he's like "really?" and she's like hahahah nooooo.
When the Star Donkey arrived to do Zim's bidding but then it just kicked the Earth into the sun.
The munchitronic deathskrang was just a piece of food garbage and the Tallest convinced Zim it was a weapon he had to charge through hurting himself.
And when Zim made "nano-naise" just because humans wouldn't expect him to.
The first adventure with Dib and Zim's return was the best, in my opinion. I enjoyed all of it, though I got kinda irritated at how long the bit with Zim being a stuck-up artist went on.
This contained a few different arcs: First it was Zim returning after Dib has been staking him out for ages and then the two have to fight (with Dib chasing Zim in an acquired Irken ship), only to have Zim embarrass him throughout the galaxy instead of actually hurting him. Then we had Zim posing as an artist so he could summon the Star Donkey and destroy the world. Then we had Zim being trolled by his race's leaders. And finally we had Dib pissing Gaz off by shutting off her game and regretting it oh so much.
Favorite bits:
GIR: "I ate a baby there!"
Zim: "He did."
Zim's interpretation of how Dib differs from other humans: "You were different, more persistent, uglier."
Zim and GIR demonstrating the havoc they can now wreak:
GIR: "I launched that poodle into space!"
Zim: "I thought you liked that poodle."
GIR: "Why I do this?"
Dib sings his own training montage to get back into shape to fight Zim, and Gaz complains, after which he just sings it more quietly. It is later his undoing.
Zim, while broadcasting to the Tallest: "I have to yell because GIR is making a smoothie!"
The universe's Biggest Ball of Shmoop has a sign on it that says "It's kind of sentient!"
The aliens keep helping you as long as you buy stuff from their tourist trap stores.
Dib, to his stolen ship: "Say something inspirational to get me going!"
Ship: "I hate that you're touching me."
When Gaz pretends she's going to help her brother; he says he's going to do the thing and she says "Not without me you're not!" But then he's like "really?" and she's like hahahah nooooo.
When the Star Donkey arrived to do Zim's bidding but then it just kicked the Earth into the sun.
The munchitronic deathskrang was just a piece of food garbage and the Tallest convinced Zim it was a weapon he had to charge through hurting himself.
And when Zim made "nano-naise" just because humans wouldn't expect him to.
The first adventure with Dib and Zim's return was the best, in my opinion. I enjoyed all of it, though I got kinda irritated at how long the bit with Zim being a stuck-up artist went on.
March 28, 2016
GIR IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Minimoose!!! Oh, and Zim, Dib, Gaz, Prof. Membrane, and the Tallest too! And there's all new adventures! And I'm so happy!!! Ahem. Yes, so on with the summarizing stuff.
Chapter 1 & 2: First off, Zim's long absence is explained as a plot to drive Dib completely crazy and turn him into a vile, putrid, slob (which worked incredibly well) so Zim can get a head start on his quest to find the Gargantis Array. Of course Zim will use the Gargantis Array for something incredibly evil and vile. It's just too horrible to explain (and it'll thoroughly spoil the plot and fun, and we can't have that).
Chapter 3: Zim and Gir stumble upon ancient cultural relics on a foreign plant that Zim relocates to Earth to summon the Star Donkey to destroy Earth. (Includes favoritest Zim/GIR moments: "GIR! Translate in non-insane mode!")
Chapter 4: The Tallest send an unwanted nacho-munchin through a wormhole which of course ends up going to Zim. The Tallest see this as a stellar opportunity to have fun at Zim's expense so they tell him it is a secret weapon that is not fully charged. They give him a series of crazy tasks to do to charge the weapon, of course they get bored, Zim goes overboard, and things don't turn out at all well.
Chapter 5: In this one Dib learns an important lesson about not interrupting Gaz when she is playing video games. Of course he learns his lesson the very, very painful way. (Don't mess with Gaz!)
Author/Illustrator Bios: No seriously, you need to read these. They're just as entertaining as the rest of the book.
Ahhhh, it is so nice to have GIR back. I missed him. The explanation for the long absence was genius. Recap Kid was a brilliant addition. The new adventures were quite satisfyingly funny and entertaining as to fill that void deep inside that has been craving more Invader Zim. The non-moving animation was just as good as the tv episodes. (And I've decided I like Bloaty's much better in still frames as opposed to animation. Less gag inducing.) Of course I heard all the original voices in my head as I read. Will definitely be re-reading this numerous times. Now when does Volume 2 come out???
Notes on content: No language issues (Zim and others use made up insults). No sexual content. Several characters/things should end up seriously dead, but thanks to being cartoons, they magically recover. Also, if you're unfamiliar with Zim & gang, there's an obsession with injured butts and gross things, which is normal for them.
Chapter 1 & 2: First off, Zim's long absence is explained as a plot to drive Dib completely crazy and turn him into a vile, putrid, slob (which worked incredibly well) so Zim can get a head start on his quest to find the Gargantis Array. Of course Zim will use the Gargantis Array for something incredibly evil and vile. It's just too horrible to explain (and it'll thoroughly spoil the plot and fun, and we can't have that).
Chapter 3: Zim and Gir stumble upon ancient cultural relics on a foreign plant that Zim relocates to Earth to summon the Star Donkey to destroy Earth. (Includes favoritest Zim/GIR moments: "GIR! Translate in non-insane mode!")
Chapter 4: The Tallest send an unwanted nacho-munchin through a wormhole which of course ends up going to Zim. The Tallest see this as a stellar opportunity to have fun at Zim's expense so they tell him it is a secret weapon that is not fully charged. They give him a series of crazy tasks to do to charge the weapon, of course they get bored, Zim goes overboard, and things don't turn out at all well.
Chapter 5: In this one Dib learns an important lesson about not interrupting Gaz when she is playing video games. Of course he learns his lesson the very, very painful way. (Don't mess with Gaz!)
Author/Illustrator Bios: No seriously, you need to read these. They're just as entertaining as the rest of the book.
Ahhhh, it is so nice to have GIR back. I missed him. The explanation for the long absence was genius. Recap Kid was a brilliant addition. The new adventures were quite satisfyingly funny and entertaining as to fill that void deep inside that has been craving more Invader Zim. The non-moving animation was just as good as the tv episodes. (And I've decided I like Bloaty's much better in still frames as opposed to animation. Less gag inducing.) Of course I heard all the original voices in my head as I read. Will definitely be re-reading this numerous times. Now when does Volume 2 come out???
Notes on content: No language issues (Zim and others use made up insults). No sexual content. Several characters/things should end up seriously dead, but thanks to being cartoons, they magically recover. Also, if you're unfamiliar with Zim & gang, there's an obsession with injured butts and gross things, which is normal for them.
February 6, 2017
Yeah! Invader Zim is back! Woohoo! Except it's just a graphic novel... oh... well, yeah, that's still good I guess.
Invader Zim is (for the uninitiated) a cartoon show that ran on Nickolodeon about a decade ago for one glorious season of utter brilliant hilarious madness (except for Dark Harvest, that episode is just wrong). Zim is a member of the Irken species, whose genetic imperative is to eat snacks, shoot stuff, and rule the galaxy and absolute power goes to whichever members of the species are tallest. They're pretty much a race of 9 year old boys. The most elite of Irken warriors are the Invaders, who are sent out to infiltrate and undermine alien worlds, leaving them open to conquest by the Irken Armada. Zim wants to be an invader more than ANYTHING, but he has two things going against him. One is that he's very short and the other is that he's utterly insane. Even for an Irken. He managed to bring Operation Impending Doom 1 to an early and ignominious end when he burned down the Irken homeworld and now that Operation Impending Doom 2 has rolled around, the Tallest decided to get him out of the way by sending him to the most distant and uncharted corner of the galaxy, which just happens to be Earth. Now Zim, accompanied by his defective robot henchman Gir (who's actually more insane than Zim), is determined to conquer Earth and who will stop him!?! Only one Earthling can see past Zim's super-obvious disguise (well, two but his sister Gaz is smart enough to see that stopping Zim isn't worth putting down her games): self-proclaimed world's best paranormal investigator Dib. Dib is basically a teenage Mulder wannabe, but his hopes of saving the world are undermined by the fact that everybody thinks he's crazy and Zim is so incompetent that he's more of a threat to himself than the Earth.
The graphic novel picks up several years after the end of the animated series and tells a series of episodic adventures that are structured much like the TV show. While this is largely entertaining (and occasionally hilarious) it rarely reaches the mad cap fun of the original. All the pieces are there, but the medium doesn't quite convey the insanity as well (a great deal of what makes Zim funny is the random stuff that happens in the background and framing, like Miss Bitters' school lessons or whatever insanity Gir is up to). Still, even if it's not as awesome as the original, it's still great to be getting more Invader Zim.
Invader Zim is (for the uninitiated) a cartoon show that ran on Nickolodeon about a decade ago for one glorious season of utter brilliant hilarious madness (except for Dark Harvest, that episode is just wrong). Zim is a member of the Irken species, whose genetic imperative is to eat snacks, shoot stuff, and rule the galaxy and absolute power goes to whichever members of the species are tallest. They're pretty much a race of 9 year old boys. The most elite of Irken warriors are the Invaders, who are sent out to infiltrate and undermine alien worlds, leaving them open to conquest by the Irken Armada. Zim wants to be an invader more than ANYTHING, but he has two things going against him. One is that he's very short and the other is that he's utterly insane. Even for an Irken. He managed to bring Operation Impending Doom 1 to an early and ignominious end when he burned down the Irken homeworld and now that Operation Impending Doom 2 has rolled around, the Tallest decided to get him out of the way by sending him to the most distant and uncharted corner of the galaxy, which just happens to be Earth. Now Zim, accompanied by his defective robot henchman Gir (who's actually more insane than Zim), is determined to conquer Earth and who will stop him!?! Only one Earthling can see past Zim's super-obvious disguise (well, two but his sister Gaz is smart enough to see that stopping Zim isn't worth putting down her games): self-proclaimed world's best paranormal investigator Dib. Dib is basically a teenage Mulder wannabe, but his hopes of saving the world are undermined by the fact that everybody thinks he's crazy and Zim is so incompetent that he's more of a threat to himself than the Earth.
The graphic novel picks up several years after the end of the animated series and tells a series of episodic adventures that are structured much like the TV show. While this is largely entertaining (and occasionally hilarious) it rarely reaches the mad cap fun of the original. All the pieces are there, but the medium doesn't quite convey the insanity as well (a great deal of what makes Zim funny is the random stuff that happens in the background and framing, like Miss Bitters' school lessons or whatever insanity Gir is up to). Still, even if it's not as awesome as the original, it's still great to be getting more Invader Zim.
April 9, 2016
I nearly exploded (that happens sometimes) in the comic book store when I saw this new Invader Zim book sitting on the shelf. And oh my farking gourd it is begoodious. If you loved the show, and you, like me, harbor a deep-seated resentment toward Nickelodian for cancelling the series, then this will be a welcome return to the demented world of Zim, Gir, Gaz, Dib, Minimoose, and all the filthy humans of the backwater planet called Earth. Vasquez and his team have given free rein to their shmapsiest ideas, and they capture well the uproarious, stupid humor of the original animation, despite the missing voices (which I just did my best to recreate in my head). At one point I laughed so hard, I actually dropped the book in my lap, and had take a moment to recover because I had injured my squeedlyspooch.
"Gir! Translate in non-insane mode!"
Flipping through this book again as I write this review is revealing so many quotable bits. My favorite section is when Zim decides to become an artist, and the panning of a pretentious artwank is spot on, and extremely exaggerated. Just as it should be. What a flapdoodious return. My least favorite part was the last chapter that focused on Dib, but that's because Dib is dumb and he has an abnormally giant head.
Full disclosure: one of my cats is named Gir, so this review might be biased, by which I mean it is a true and accurate depiction of reality.
"Gir! Translate in non-insane mode!"
Flipping through this book again as I write this review is revealing so many quotable bits. My favorite section is when Zim decides to become an artist, and the panning of a pretentious artwank is spot on, and extremely exaggerated. Just as it should be. What a flapdoodious return. My least favorite part was the last chapter that focused on Dib, but that's because Dib is dumb and he has an abnormally giant head.
Full disclosure: one of my cats is named Gir, so this review might be biased, by which I mean it is a true and accurate depiction of reality.
January 14, 2017
Picks up directly after the cartoon show (though thanks to "Recap Kid", if you've never seen an episode you won't be completely lost, still will make more sense if you've at least watched a couple episodes), with Zim mysteriously disappearing and Dib reacting (per usual) by dialing the obsessive to eleven. However, the real reason to cheer? GIR IS BACK!!!!! Broken into five sections that completely feel like episodes from the show, not loosing any of the crazy (unfortunately also not loosing any of the gross, so be warned!) and with Gaz in rare form!
Content notes: No language issues. No sensuality issues. No real violence, I mean, Zim destroys the world, but it's back the very next section, so typical cartoon style violence. Bonus: Beware the gross, granted it's not as bad as the "Pustulio" or "Dark Harvest" episodes from the show, but still, you can feel the "adolescent boy" hooks (so be prepared for bathroom humor and yes, that did knock off a star).
April 19, 2016
While looking for older Vasquez work, I happened upon this the other day and was excited to see it in the world. I've been a fan of Zim since the first episode--having to setup an automatic record on the family VCR in order to see it--and have recently been watching it with my step-son.
Of course, with a show that's so animated in its animation, I wondered how it would fully translate to a more static form. However, due to the inclusion of so many original crew, I figured it was worth a shot.
In short, it felt like Zim to me, and maybe a hint darker, but that's not too shabby in my eyes, either. The dialogue is spot on and made it easy to "hear" the original voice cast as I read. The stories are a perfect blend of nonsense and darkness. Again, it's the same old Zim you remember. So, if you enjoyed the show, I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy the comic, too.
Of course, with a show that's so animated in its animation, I wondered how it would fully translate to a more static form. However, due to the inclusion of so many original crew, I figured it was worth a shot.
In short, it felt like Zim to me, and maybe a hint darker, but that's not too shabby in my eyes, either. The dialogue is spot on and made it easy to "hear" the original voice cast as I read. The stories are a perfect blend of nonsense and darkness. Again, it's the same old Zim you remember. So, if you enjoyed the show, I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy the comic, too.
July 4, 2016
I love Invader Zim and this book certainly honors the characters and the world. The writers are pulling from the world and the continuity in a fun way. However, I was looking for more of a continued, building story rather than single episodes in the form of each chapter. The first few made it seem like they would create a single story; yet as I kept reading I began to fade in and out of interest.
March 23, 2023
"This story is scary. Is there ghosts in this story?"
July 2018
I love Gir, and now i definitely need to rewatch the show.
March 2023
Still a great read, I can't wait to pick up the next ones in the series.
July 2018
I love Gir, and now i definitely need to rewatch the show.
March 2023
Still a great read, I can't wait to pick up the next ones in the series.
November 25, 2022
Given the state of everything I wouldn't be upset if a Star Donkey gave this planet a nice kick, we kinda deserve it. Invader Zim will always be a favorite and this gave me the same feelings as GIR gets from take out food.
June 13, 2016
A great addition for fans of the show. Love being back in the world. Loved it.
August 28, 2016
I'm not sure what I was expecting. It's just like the show, however it just made me want to go back and watch the show again.
December 19, 2016
This was everything I wanted and oh so much more. Perfect. It was perfect. I smiled the entire time I was reading this.
RTC
RTC
July 25, 2016
As much as I enjoyed the TV show as a child. I didn't really enjoy the comics.
April 4, 2019
I waited over a decade for this, let's leave it at that. After the cult favorite "Invader Zim" was cancelled on Nickelodeon- in part due to its controversially nihilistic tone and in part due to not being a merchandising juggernaut- fans clamored for years to bring back the show. This fan clamor was... not always well-received or well-spoken. Alt-comics maverick Jhonen Vasquez, who crossed briefly into the mainstream when he created "Zim," has always loved to bite the hand that feeds him, so he has jabbed repeatedly on social media at fans of the specific brand of "LOLZ SO RANDOM OMG" humor he had intended to satirize with GIR in the first place. (Super serious goth types and action-comics purists don't come off any better- Vasquez hates you all as much as he did before.)
This passive-aggressive attitude is embodied in the comic series' first original recurring character, Recap Kid. Enthusiastic about "Invader Zim" to an almost unsavory level, Recap Kid appears at the start of each issue to gush about the characters and events of the previous issue in a way designed to turn you off to reading the rest of the book. It's Lemony Snicket in reverse, and a fun "take that" at fans like the now-infamous Katy the Penguin of Doom, whose exuberance rubbed so many the wrong way online. Other than Recap Kid, not much has changed since the mid-2000s, other than the fact that even an all-ages comic book has somewhat less censorship oversight than Nickelodeon did. The stories are as weird and joyfully stupid as ever, the characters unchanged since we left them (other than perhaps a greater tendency to lean on the fourth wall), and the "anyone can die and we'll just retcon them back to life" phenomenon is in fuller swing than ever. (The earth gets destroyed early on, and no one ever mentions it in the next issue.) I'm gonna sing the Doom Song now... who's with me?
This passive-aggressive attitude is embodied in the comic series' first original recurring character, Recap Kid. Enthusiastic about "Invader Zim" to an almost unsavory level, Recap Kid appears at the start of each issue to gush about the characters and events of the previous issue in a way designed to turn you off to reading the rest of the book. It's Lemony Snicket in reverse, and a fun "take that" at fans like the now-infamous Katy the Penguin of Doom, whose exuberance rubbed so many the wrong way online. Other than Recap Kid, not much has changed since the mid-2000s, other than the fact that even an all-ages comic book has somewhat less censorship oversight than Nickelodeon did. The stories are as weird and joyfully stupid as ever, the characters unchanged since we left them (other than perhaps a greater tendency to lean on the fourth wall), and the "anyone can die and we'll just retcon them back to life" phenomenon is in fuller swing than ever. (The earth gets destroyed early on, and no one ever mentions it in the next issue.) I'm gonna sing the Doom Song now... who's with me?
May 10, 2017
So I'm pretty sure this was once a TV series (that's how much research I've done). I basically picked it up because I saw it on the "new" graphic novel shelf at my library. Oh, and the bright colors also drew me in. Invader Zim is basically an incompetent alien who thinks his race has sent him to Earth to destroy it when really they just wanted him gone. He has a sidekick robot named Gir and Dib, a geek, is basically the only one on Earth who realizes what Zim is up to and has taken it upon himself to stop his evil plans.
This was a fun read but I think had I seen a few episodes of the show, I'd have had a better understanding of what was going on. I think the adventures are fairly interesting enough, especially the one featuring a space-donkey, but it just didn't draw me in as I hoped it would. The artwork is extremely colorful and well-done and while I definitely appreciate it, I don't know that I will make it a point to pick up future volumes. I do have to add that in between each issue, there is a recap by this little creature and they are very amusing. In fact, they were probably my favorite part of the book,
If you saw the series, then I would recommend seeking out this book.
This was a fun read but I think had I seen a few episodes of the show, I'd have had a better understanding of what was going on. I think the adventures are fairly interesting enough, especially the one featuring a space-donkey, but it just didn't draw me in as I hoped it would. The artwork is extremely colorful and well-done and while I definitely appreciate it, I don't know that I will make it a point to pick up future volumes. I do have to add that in between each issue, there is a recap by this little creature and they are very amusing. In fact, they were probably my favorite part of the book,
If you saw the series, then I would recommend seeking out this book.
September 14, 2020
These are masterfully done comics that tie into a television show. I've watched all the episodes, and this does a great job of keeping the voices in character. Jhonen created it, so that's not a huge feat, but it does help with the immersion into the stories. There is no particular continuity between issues, since the Earth is destroyed in one, and Zim is crushed into a cube in another, and they are really more of individual stories with sort of a Looney Tunes continuity... there's continuity when there is supposed to be, and otherwise, it's just fun Zim stories that bring back things I loved about the show, but a little bit looser and freer to have stories take weirder turns. If you loved the show, this is a great extension of it, and you will be able to hear the characters speak, and it will be great. The only part that was hard to really imagine, and I sort of wish it had made it to an episode were the parts where there were songs. I made up something in my head, but I've always loved the songs on Invader Zim when they have come up, so I would have liked to hear their take on a montage. Anyhow, long story short, this is a fun book that doesn't take itself too seriously, and if you like the show, you should read it.
December 31, 2020
Cuando me enteré de la película que traería Netflix de esta franquicia de la infancia, mi emoción se disparó por las nubes. Sin embargo, y acorde a una extraña costumbre, no la vi (incluso hoy, sigo sin verla). Un tiempo después, me enteré que luego de su término en la TV, el autor había volcado sus esfuerzos a continuar la historia en una serie de comics, que aquí se recopilan (al menos hasta el quinto). Hasta el momento en que escribo estas palabras sigo sin creer qué tan exitosa fue la transición de todo el mythos de Invader Zim a los comics. La serie mantiene el standard de humor, mantiene vivos (más vivos que nunca) a los queridos personajes y revitaliza todo con una nueva paleta de color más explosiva y cambios ligeros en los diseños que aún así se mantienen files a sus primeras encarnaciones. Me es imposible no leer los diálogos sin escuchar las voces originales en mi cabeza, acompañado de una buena dosis de risas que cada tomo mantiene a ritmo constante. Lo recomiendo tanto para fans de la serie como para personas nuevas a este mundo: el primer volumen, si bien no es ni un reboot ni un remake, no exige conocimiento previo para adentrarse en su retorcido e hilarante universo.
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