(Media Log #3)
Invader Zim (2001-2002) The dark comedy, set on both fictional planets and a satirical version of earth, follows the failed mission of Irken invader, Zim, and his defective robot minion, Gir. Fan site polls reveal Gir to be "Invader Zim's" most beloved character. He exists mainly for comic relief. Zim was previously banished to planet Food Courtia due to mishaps in "Impending Mission Doom". In episode one, "The Nightmare Begins", he 'quits' and pleads with Almighty Tallest. The supreme leaders of Irk send him to earth, only to be rid of him. "Invader Zim" was created by Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The show was rated Y7. It had mild success with kids, but became a cult favorite with young adults. Because of the younger demographic, Vasquez was not able to take all the liberties he would've hoped. However, the show was canceled during it's second season, for content. 
("Dark Harvest"- an episode in which Zim steals his classmates organs, and replaces them with objects.) 
(Dib, Zim's nemesis. Because of his eccentric interest in the paranormal, nobody believes him when he claims Zim is an alien, episode....after episode.) 
(Zombies and children's shows are usually not a good mix.) 
("Bad, Bad Rubber Piggy". By the end of this episode, Dib has fallen off a water tower and must use a respirator.) Gir and Zim merchandise is still sold at Hot Topic. Small DVD's containing single episodes were recently carried by Half-Price books. On online forums, there is much discussion about bringing reruns to Nick at Night or Adult Swim, but the networks won't budge. Perhaps Vasquez could have avoided such dilemas by finding a more mature outlet, initially. The controversy likely keeps Zim on viewer's minds. I watched this cartoon during it's run. I was probably about eight years old. At the time, I wasn't able to laugh at the morbid humor, much less the complex metaphors and parodies for public education, corporate control, and humanity at it's worst. I close with quotes from Ms. Bitters. She is Zim and Zim's teacher in a public institution titled, "Skool." "...Were you to actually wear the space suit that you draw yourself in for your report, Melvin, you would implode in the cold and merciless vacuum of space." "To celebrate overcrowding in skool, a new student will be joining the class." "...So, right around there, a negative stigma was attached to the idea of surviving on human flesh." "...So you see, ring around the rosy refers to the horrible symptoms of a terrifying disease!" (Additionally, Cinderella's stepsisters cut off pieces of their feet to wear her slippers, Hansel and Grettle parents spoke of eating them, and the prince chose the sea witch, ending in the Little Mermaid's painful demise.) "Take a good look, children. It will prepare you for your adult lives in our nightmarish corporate system." "....So you can see, children, that our whole society's nothing more than a perilous house of cards." "Children, your performance was miserable. Your parents will all receive phone calls instructing them to love you less now." 
| 
