Invader Zim IP

"Help! GIR! They're turning me into a marketable plushie!!" A blog for documenting any merch/mentions or appearances for the 2001 Nickelodeon show Invader Zim. I try to make sure everything is properly sourced and dated but if you come across something incorrect please let me know.

[invaderzim2001]

I've picked up a few followers here over the past couple of days (a little unexpected, considering how niche this is) and I'd just like to say thank you and welcome!

I've really enjoyed the replies on some of the posts, and people sharing their stories about items they've owned/wanted. I'd also like to say that I wholly encourage and would love for you guys to submit your own Invader Zim paraphernalia! Whether it's something you own, used to own, or just something you saw in a Hot Topic once.

I'm mostly interested in pre-Enter the Florpus stuff, but I don't mind making exceptions for interesting pieces. Please only officially liscened merch, nothing fan-made. And only Invader Zim- not other Nicktoons, though it's completely alright if it's a mix and Zim is in there. If possible, try to include a date of manufacture with your submission, but alright if you don't know it. Other than that, no stipulations! I'd love to see what you guys have.

[starpaw0007]

I think more people should know ZIM is not a child. The show makes it pretty clear that ZIM is an adult. You can see so from the way he often refers to Dib and his “peers” as children. Zim himself is calling them children, implying he is significantly older and not a child anymore.

Not to mention it has been mentioned that ZIM is at least 50+ years old (while we don’t know how old irkens live, that still gives him 50+ years of life experience) (the rest of his classmates are likely 11-12 years old)

I’ve heard people say that Zim is “child-coded”, but that does not make him a child. Zim can be childish, while also being an adult.

You can have an adult character who is childish, but that does not make them a child

(i.e. Spongebob)

There are also several posts where the creator mentions that ZIM is an adult. I know a lot of people don’t take everything Jhonen Vasquez says head on, but I think when we combine his words with the implications presented in the show then it’s pretty safe to say that ZIM was always written to be an adult.

[iztdm]

If you wanna view Zim as a child go for it, but I've seen posts explaining why they think that, so I think it's only fair to get a chance to do the same.

I saw the post above (pretty well put together!) and I just wanted to add my two cents:

I've seen the show Bible pointed out, due to the obvious:

But the thing is, that's written as a brief third-person-limited POV aside, for the sake of the joke, to establish how outlandish Zim's behavior and overall being is from the perspective of the kids at skool, aaaaaaand besides:

This bible refers to Irkens as "NOYING", and Membrane's show is "Ask Mister Membrane" instead of "probing the membrane of science", etc. - It's definitely a 'broad-strokes' thingy, so it's not something I'm convinced to take that seriously myself.

Plus he's constantly referred to as a "space man," not a space boy or space kid, etc

Anyway that's why I view Zim as a grouchy old man

[starpaw0007]

Thank you for including these snippets from the pitch bible! I tried to keep most of my points coming from the main series itself since that's what's generally regarded as canon (i did include one pilot/pitch bible snippet though) and from the creator himself.

I do see a lot of snippets from the pitch bible used in support of the theory that Zim is a kid. However, you're right, any mention of Zim as a kid in the pitch bible is in reference to his disguise on Earth and how the general public / skool children view him. This is because to their knowledge, Zim is a human child.

So yes, kids do pick on weird kids. And to their knowledge, that's Zim.

The point is how ridiculous it is that Zim, a fully adult military-trained alien invader, is wasting his time at skool fighting with children when he could be using his time and resources for something else. Cooties and dodgeball and getting petty revenge on classmates is a waste of his time, but that's something that Zim doesn't realize.

The main setting of the show being at skool is simply a way for the show to appeal to a younger audience. Kids can relate to bad cafeteria food and recess and boring lectures and a little green guy getting picked on for being different.

In the same way that Spongebob and Patrick are written the way they are. Despite being adults, they act super childish. This helps them appeal to their target demographic (which are kids).

Zim is written similarly.

[allyssotd]

It's Not Stupid- It's Advanced

A wonderful little Invader Zim fansite. Lot's of fun downloads and resources.

content warnings: unverified downloads

(update: apologies for forgetting the url, I can't believe I did that)

[invaderzim2001]

Not merch, but this fan-run site is really neat! Check it out (and sign the guest book) of you have a chance.

[vortainz]

pilot

[invaderzim2001]

Another rare plush for documenting: GIR eating cupcake beanie. The head is soft but the body is filled with beanies

Mine has the tag cut off unfortunately but it's RN #90347 from 2006

[vortainz]

Invader zim background sketches

[vortainz]

Invader zim pre-storyboard thumbnails

[invaderzim2001]

Black and green Gir-themed pilot hat with Gir decals, sold at Hot Topic.

Date: 2010

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

Mighty Fine brand hoodie with neon dancing Zim, Gir and various props.

Year: Unknown, circa 2008

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

Invader Zim shoelaces ft. a disguised and angry looking Zim.

Year: Circa 2006

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

Messenger bag with a GIR-centric design. Notable lack of Invader Zim style font on the lettering.

Date: 2008

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

Paintsplash design Gir hoodie from Mighty Fine.

Year: 2005

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

oh hey! your blog showed up in my suggestions and i was pleasantly surprised to see your icon is that cheap horrid zim plushie from recent years lol i won one of them in a claw machine at steak n shake. it still lurks in my room and it haunts me

Ha! So funny story about that, the one in the picture isn't mine, but I DO actually have one them. I found him in a claw machine in the dusty corner of a former K-Mart, blew through $20 in cash trying to get him, called the company who owned the claw machine and tried to buy one only to get told they were out of stock. Finally my sister (who is freakishly good at claw machines) managed to get him for me! So now he lives on my bed with my other plushes. He truly is the most poor-quality piece of merch I own (affectionate).

[invaderzim2001]

Thought I'd submit something I recently re-purchased for myself. I once had this blanket nearly 20 years ago, and the moment I saw it on eBay, I smashed that buy button. It's a thick blanket made of high-bulk acrylic. Feel free to share on your blog.

WOW! This is a super cool find!! Thanks so much for submitting!!

I tracked down a single Worthpoint entry for this but haven't been able to nail down a year, if you happen to know what year it's from I'd love to get one! For those that are curious, here is (a blurry picture) of one in the packaging:

Source; [x]

[xelbleedsglitter]

I sure kept this since 2001.

[invaderzim2001]

This is awesome!! What a cool find!! Thanks for posting!!

Date: May 2001

[invaderzim2001]

Clip-on mini plush of Gir dressed as a dinosaur - merchandise tagged as part of Hot Topic's 30 Years Of Punk celebration in 2006.

The Nick Knowledge trivia tag reads: "Did you know? Zim thinks Gir was given to him as a special reward, but he's actually full of garbage, paperclips, and other junk the ALMIGHTY TALLEST didn't want."

Year: 2006

Source: [x]

[invaderzim2001]

An expired Hot Topic gift card ft. Invader Zim art from the show's promotional guidebook.

Year: 2004

Source: [x]