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Cartoon teachers often don't take center stage and are usually the obstacle that gets in the way of their students having fun or causing trouble. However, they are essential in many programs and movies because they ground the stories in reality. Animated shows are often geared toward kids, who have to deal with teachers on a daily basis. It makes sense for a number of these series to feature the student-teacher relationship.

While some teachers try their hardest to teach, others are more concerned about making an impact in their student's lives. The best TV teachers, animated or not, do both. They not only teach their lessons successfully but leave their students hungry to learn more. Even though some animated teachers aren't the best at their job, they are certainly memorable. The role of the teacher isn't usually an exciting one in animation, but these educators have left their mark on television history.

Welcome to IndieWire After Dark, where we pick a new theme for our midnight movie programming every month!

Join us on Friday nights (and special occasions!) to explore some of the strangest fringe films available at any hour in the Streaming Age.

The lights are twinkling and the temperature is dropping. But in December 2024, the merry-making vibes are distinctly and resolutely… off. Lean into that discomfort with some Holiday Midnight Movie (and TV!) Madness as we celebrate a weird year.

After several particularly stressful months in current events, the pre-Christmas season feels oddly foreboding. That might be a welcome reprieve for those of us who are usually glum during the holidays (just me?), but the blues can sneak up on anyone. Whether you’re battling a bickering family or dealing with loneliness, weirdo cinema has the power to fight your funk with more funk.

When in doubt, clown it out!

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

For December 2024, we’re celebrating the end of the year with a stocking full of Strange Holiday TV Specials and Seasonal Midnight Movies.

First, read the Bait: a weird and wonderful pick from any time in film or TV. Then, try the Bite: a breakdown of the movie or episode’s ending, impact, and any other spoilers you’d want.

The Bait: A Seasonal Celebration with a Midnight TV Miracle

Imagine it’s Christmas time, two million years in the future.

Mr. Sludgy has you and several other bug-eyed children cuddled up in front of a roaring fire. Nestled into his armchair, he’s ready to tell you — and the human kids watching at home! — the story of “The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever.” It’s a petrifying tale of...

Solar Opposites is a brilliant animated series about family, love, friends, and some very confused aliens. Created by the minds behind Rick and Morty, the Hulu original series follows a group of aliens escaping from the exploding home world after which they crash land into a ready-to-move-in home in suburban America. The series centers around the group as they find out more and more about the Earth and also they are waiting until Pupa, a living supercomputer is ready to evolve into its true form, and then consume and terraform the Earth. So, if you loved the incredibly dark and hilarious storylines and brilliant comedic bits in Solar Opposites here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Rick and Morty Credit – Adult Swim

Rick and Morty is an adult sci-fi fantasy comedy-drama series created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. The Adult Swim series revolves around Rick, an...

Invader Zim was reportedly canceled after two seasons due to poor ratings from its target audience of kids aged 2 to 11. Despite its cancelation, Invader Zim has become a cult classic, receiving critical acclaim and ranking on various "best animation" lists. Fans of Invader Zim continue to show their support through conventions, reboots, and the purchase of official merchandise, solidifying the show's legacy.

Invader Zim may have forged an enduring legacy, but the series still ended after just two seasons. Created by cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon, the animated dark comedy unapologetically pushed the boundaries of children's television with morbid, counterculture humor and the grisly nature of its overarching storyline. Invader Zim followed the titular alien as he attempted to conquer Earth and enslave the human race under the order of the Irken Empire — a mission he repeatedly failed at to hilarious effect.

Whether it was because of the Irken species' aim for universal conquest,...

Nickelodeon reportedly canceled Invader Zim due to low ratings, but the exact reason for its premature conclusion has been debated. The creator of Invader Zim, Jhonen Vasquez, wanted the show to move to MTV, but Nickelodeon did not support the idea. Invader Zim could have found success on a different network with an older demographic, such as MTV or Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

Had Nickelodeon made one rectifying decision rather than wasting the opportunity, the cult classic Invader Zim show may have had a much longer run on television. Instead, the two season-long animation staple was canceled by the children's network on the grounds that Jhonen Vasquez's Invader Zim simply fostered very low ratings. According to The Northerner in 2002, Nickelodeon went on record to confirm that the fate of the TV show was due to poor ratings from the channel's core demographic, kids ages 2 to 11, but rumors through the...

Today we are going to find out where to watch Invader Zim and what streaming platform to catch it on.

Invader Zim is an animated science fiction cartoon originally aired on the kids channel Nickelodeon at the turn of the century. First appearing on the channel in 2001, the series was prematurely canceled after only airing 27 of the intended 40 episodes that it was scheduled for. The brain child of American cartoonist, Jhonen Vasquez, Invader Zim gained somewhat of a cult following and the adventures of the extraterrestrial Irken, Zim, surprisingly appealed to an older audience rather than the usual younger clientele that Nickelodeon appeals too. Invader Zim is now considered as one of the best original cartoons to have ever featured on Nickelodeon, which is quite a feat considering the channel is home to internationally successful shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Rugrats. So how did the channel come to prematurely axe the series?...

On October 28, 2019, Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano unleashed an animated musical pilot called "Hazbin Hotel" on YouTube, and the world has never been the same. The pilot, which was created entirely by freelance animators and almost exclusively financed by Medrano's Patreon followers, quickly went viral, with the episode currently boasting over 81 million views. The story follows Charlie Morningstar, princess of Hell, as she attempts the impossible task of rehabilitating demons so they can be accepted into Heaven. Her goal is to not only help curb Hell's current overpopulation issues and prevent the demons from being exterminated by angels in the process, but allow an outlet for the damned to seek redemption. Charlie opens up the titular Hazbin Hotel, which serves as a fancy rehab resort for the demons, and becomes a safe space for demons to find a way to become better people in the afterlife than they were on earth.

Introducing Hell's King,...

Focusing on the positive impact that horror can have on people who live with mental illness, Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary is directed by Jonathan Barkan, and Daily Dead Editor-in-Chief Jonathan James has supported this project and will be credited as an associate producer. With the documentary in its final hours of its Indiegogo campaign, we've been provided with an exclusive clip and casting news to share with Daily Dead readers!

We're thrilled to exclusively share that in addition to its already impressive list of interviewees, Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary will also feature interviews with filmmaker and actor Larry Fessenden, filmmaker Ted Geoghegan, and filmmaker and horror host Blair Bathory (Fear Haus)!

Below, you can watch our exclusive clip featuring Fessenden, and to learn more about Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary, visit the documentary's Indiegogo page and official website!

Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary, the upcoming feature-length documentary discussing...

Fans of the cult classic Nickelodeon cartoon Invader Zim tend to zero in on creator Jhonen Vasquez like the whole series fell out of his head fully formed, which is somewhat understandable, as the show’s art and writing feel much like the singular vision of one lone weirdo. But, get this! Invader Zim was actually a whole production with a budget and a crew and everything! And, Eric Trueheart, one of the writers responsible for some of the most iconic Zim episodes, is here to prove it with The Medium-Sized Book of Zim Scripts: Vol. 1: Pigs ‘n’ Waffles.

I imagine many fans would have been happy with a book packed solely with scripts cover-to-cover. However, there’s a nice structure to what Trueheart has done in this book instead, introducing each script by relating the history of how the idea for the episode was formed and developed, then including the script,...

Remember the crude, gothic humor of Jhonen Vasquez? I sure do! Invader Zim was such a silly, over the top cartoon that somehow made its way onto Nickelodeon and was not surprisingly canceled after a short second season. The show featured an absurdly screaming alien trying to take over the world with only one lone boy trying to stop him. It featured all things that you wouldn’t think to see in a cartoon at the time like bizarre alien technology, nihilism, and the oppression of children’s innocence. Thanks to Netflix and the power ($$$) of nostalgia, we now have a movie based off these characters that continues like the series never left. Is my childhood fondness for the show going to skew my opinions on...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

If you grew up watching Nickelodeon's Invader Zim, chances are you're a cool person with a twisted sense of humor... and repressed trauma. That's because Invader Zim, despite being a kids' show, is absolutely morbid and dark even compared to the likes of Cow and Chicken, Samurai Jack, or the first three seasons of Spongebob Squarepants. It's no wonder Invader Zim only lasted two seasons in Nick.

Related: The 10 Best Classic Cartoon Network Shows, Ranked

Still, the utterly insane kids' cartoon gained a cult following which even warranted a belated Netflix film, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus. It was a dream come true for us fans of the screechy evil green alien. Creator Jhonen Vasquez even included some homages to the canceled cartoon, something only fans could've chuckled at. Here are 10 of those moments in Enter the Florpus.

Fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of Jhonen Vasquez’s “Invader Zim” with the release of a new Netflix film titled “Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus”. Despite only lasting two seasons on Nickelodeon, the 2000’s animated series made a huge impact on pop culture and was beloved by fans. The show, which features a small and quite angry alien attempting to take over the earth, pushed boundaries as many of the episodes featured some pretty dark themes for an animated series. Well, the “doom” is about to strike again, as “Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus” is now currently available on Netflix! You can watch the trailer below: You can also view some still images from the film below:...

Hold up ... can this be real? It is! Netflix has finally unleashed an official trailer for Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus! What manner of sorcery is this? Fans of Jhonen Vasquez's strange corner of the animation stratosphere rejoice! After what feels like forever, the excitable alien invader, Zim, and his robot companion, Gir, are back, and they're looking to drive their archnemesis, Dib…...

After so many years, the Invader Zim movie has finally arrived on Netflix!

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This Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus! review contains some very mild spoilers.

It’s been over two years since Nickelodeon announced the production of a revival movie of their cult classic series, Jhonen Vasquez’s Invader Zim. It was already a nostalgic dream come true for diehard Zim fans like myself, but then Nickelodeon went the extra mile by recreating the conditions of the show during its original run. Just like they did in the aughts, they greenlit the production and then stopped supporting it entirely, with the seeming intent to bury it without it ever seeing the light of day. What a blast from the past! It’s stuff like this that continues to make Nickelodeon my favorite Viacom subsidiary.

Luckily, Netflix has never met a nostalgic property it didn’t like and...

Joe Matar Aug 12, 2019

Jhonen Vasquez answered our questions about how Invader Zim has evolved but is mostly still about screaming jerks.

The existence of Invader Zim is unlikely in the first place. For some reason, Nickelodeon approached Jhonen Vasquez—a comic book author whose most famous work up until that point was a series called Johnny the Homicidal Maniac—and asked him if he wanted to make a kids’ cartoon. They regretted it almost immediately, but, even more unlikely, Zim went on to build a rabid cult following that endures over a decade later and which made possible the revival movie, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus!.

We spoke to Jhonen and the Zim cast about the film last year in mostly vague terms but, now we’ve gotten a chance to see the movie, Jhonen was kind enough to email us answers to some deeper Florpus!-based questions. We...

After its initial launch on Nickelodeon in the early 2000s, Invader Zim became a huge cult classic with a massive online following. It was created by Jhonen Vasquez, known for the comics Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee! at the time. Vasquez has since contributed to various shows as a character designer, including DisneyXD’s Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja and the Nickelodeon short Tmnt: Don vs Raph.

Arguably, Invader Zim is one of the most influential animated shows to come out of that time period, with echoes of its humor and tone present in Adventure Time, The Regular Show, Gravity Falls, and Steven Universe. But nothing can replace the cynicism, inventiveness, and craziness of Invader Zim. Thankfully, there are forty-six episodes and the upcoming TV movie Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus! to fall back on.

From hilarious one-liners to organ abduction, here are the 10 best Invader Zim episodes of all time.

Joe Matar Oct 4, 2018

Cult classic Invader Zim makes an unlikely return to Nickelodeon for a TV movie.

It’s been over a decade, but the groundbreaking animated sci-fi comedy series, Invader Zim, is finally returning to television with an hour-long television movie. The brainchild of comic book artist and writer Jhonen Vasquez, the series premiered on Nickelodeon in 2001, but was canceled during production of the second season. Though an ongoing comic materialized in 2015, fans of the cult hit have long hoped for Zim’s return to the small screen.

The original series follows Zim, an incompetent alien with delusions of grandeur who screams a lot, as he repeatedly fails to conquer planet Earth. He’s been sent there along with Gir, his incompetent robot assistant who also screams a lot, by their alien overlords, The Almighty Tallest, who just want Zim as far away as possible from “Operation Impending Doom II,...

We finally have our first teaser for Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus, thanks to the Nickelodeon panel at Sdcc! Watch it within...

14 years ago, Nickelodeon put the kabosh on the Invader Zim animated series. Since then, the series has collected a cult following, causing the long-running children's channel to bring back our beloved Zim & co. for another go, this time with their own movie! At Sdcc 2018, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus became the highlight of the Nickelodeon panel, which brought back all of the originals from the animated show Richard Horvitz (Zim), Rikki Simons (Gir), Wally Wingert (Almighty Tallest Red) and Kevin McDonald (Almighty Tallest Purple), and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus art director Jenny Goldberg. In addition to seeing them together again, in real life, Nickelodeon also unveiled the highly-anticipated teaser trailer that doesn't need words to love!

In Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus, Zim discovers...

Nickelodeon will present panels for “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Invader Zim” at Comic-Con this summer in San Diego.

The “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” panel will take place Thursday, July 19 in room 6A at the San Diego Convention Center. Featured on the panel for the new series will be the show’s voice cast — Omar Miller as Raph, Ben Schwartz as Leo, Josh Brener as Donnie, Brandon Mychal Smith as Mikey, Kat Graham as April O’Neil, and Eric Bauza as Splinter. Also appearing will be co-executive producers Andy Suriano and Ant Ward, and voice director Rob Paulsen.

The “Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus!” panel will take place, Friday, July 20 at 1 p.m. in room 6A. It will include original series creator Jhonen Vasquez, art director Jenny Goldberg, and voice actors Richard Horvitz (Zim), Rikki Simons (Gir), Wally Wingert (Almighty Tallest Red) and Kevin McDonald...

It’s almost that time of year when hordes of TV fans storm San Diego to get a sneak peek at their favorite returning shows and a glimpse of the upcoming season’s best new offerings at Comic-Con 2018. Below, we’ve compiled the dates, times and locations of all the major TV-related events.*

We’ll be updating this page as more panels are announced, so make sure to bookmark it and check back often!

Not paneling at Sdcc this year: Game of Thrones, Outlander, Westworld, iZombie, The 100, Gotham, Blindspot

Tba

Deadly Class (Syfy) | Tba

Doctor Who (BBC America) | Stars Jodie Whittaker,...

After more than a decade off the air, Invader Zim is coming back. Recently, Nickelodeon announced they've ordered a TV movie based on the cancelled series.Created by Jhonen Vasquez, the animated show centered on Zim, an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth to enslave the human race alongside his pet robot Gir. The series was cancelled in 2002 before season two was complete. The final few episodes of Invader Zim were not aired until 2006.Read More…...

Puny humans, be ready: “Invader Zim” is invading Planet Earth again “soonish”! Nickelodeon just announced plans to make a TV movie based on the animated series created by Jhonen Vasquez, which debuted on the network in 2001 and ran for two seasons, until 2004.

Read More: 50 Movies to See This Summer

The series followed an alien named Zim who comes to Earth from the planet Irk after his leaders sent him on a mission just to fool him, not knowing that in fact there was another planet out there. Once here, Zim and his malfunctioning robot Gir manage to blend in with the rest of the kids, while attempting to conquer the Earth and enslave the human race. Richard Horvitz (who voiced Zim), Rikki Simons (Gir), Andy Berman (Dib) and Melissa Fahn (Gaz) will return for the 90-minute TV movie, as reported by EW.

Read More: Studio Ghibli Fest Bringing Six Animated...

If you're a fan of Invader Zim, I'm sure you'll be happy to learn that Nickelodeon has teamed up with creator Jhonen Vasquez to develop a 90-minute TV movie. Invader Zim debuted on Nickelodeon in 2001 and followed the adventures of an extraterrestrial named Zim who was on a mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race.

This was a great series that has a pretty big fanbase, but the series only last two seasons. The movie follows the "perpetually desperate and delusional Zim as he creates a new and potentially Earth-destroying plan to finally get the attention he deserves from his Irken leaders, the Almighty Tallest."

When talking about the project, Nickelodeon's Chris Viscardi had this to say:

“As a network that prides itself on a 25-year history of creating groundbreaking, hilarious animation for kids, Invader Zim is one of our great loves. It’s been so exciting to...

2017-04-05T04:29:03-07:00'Invader Zim' Movie on the Way

Nickelodeon has given the green light to a 90-minute Invader Zim TV movie based on the hit animated series which aired from 2001-2002.

The 2D-animated TV movie, from Invader Zim original creator Jhonen Vasquez, will show the latest and greatest ridiculous attempt at world domination by the universe’s worst alien invader ever. The movie will also feature original voices from the series. Nickelodeon will produce.

The TV movie follows the perpetually desperate and delusional Zim as he creates a new and potentially Earth-destroying plan to finally get the attention he deserves from his Irken leaders, the Almighty Tallest.

Invader Zim debuted on Nickelodeon in 2001 and chronicled the efforts of an extraterrestrial named Zim on a mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race.

Read the rest of this article at Deadline.

Nickelodeon has given the green light to a 90-minute Invader Zim TV movie based on the hit animated series which aired from 2001-2002. The 2D-animated TV movie, from Invader Zim original creator Jhonen Vasquez, will show the latest and greatest ridiculous attempt at world domination by the universe's worst alien invader ever. The movie will also feature original voices from the series. Nickelodeon will produce. The TV movie follows the perpetually desperate and delusional…...

Whoa, man. Has it really been almost a decade since the original release of World of Goo? Well, as the cliche goes, time flies when you’re having fun. In a way, this game’s return is perfect for the early days of the Switch console; just as the original release in 2008 helped to usher in Nintendo’s first shaky relationships with indie developers on the WiiWare service, this 2017 re-release rings in an entirely new era of so-called “Nindies” — one that, presumably, will find them at a happy medium between their developer-unfriendly Wii days and the era of ludicrous shovelware that was brought on by the Wii U’s Web Framework. To put it another way, after the impressive showing of their Nindie Showcase in late February, what better games could help cut the ceremonial ribbon for a flood of awesome indie titles on Switch than one of the earliest...

Nickelodeon, Viacom Consumer Products and Forbidden Planet (London) Limited have teamed up to bring an exclusive range of Invader Zim apparel, housewares and everyday accessories to the entertainment retailer’s UK and online stores.

Critically acclaimed, the Emmy Award-winning Invader Zim was created by Jhonen Vasquez and first aired on Nickelodeon UK in 2002. After nearly destroying his home planet, Zim is eager to redeem himself to the leaders of his home planet, Irk. Joined by his malfunctioning robot servant Gir, Zim’s mission is to conquer Earth and enslave the human race.

This new range of Invader Zim products features fan-favourite Zim and his faithful companion Gir and includes t-shirts, mugs, coasters and travel pass holders with retail prices ranging from £2.99 to £17.99. The full collection (including the items pictured below) will be on sale at Forbidden Planet stores across major UK cities from today. Zim fans can also purchase the entire range online at forbiddenplanet.

Three decades ago, execs at pioneering kids network Nickelodeon realized that wanted to do more than just air old comedy repeats (“Dennis the Menace”) and Canadian imports (“You Can’t Do That on Television”). But this was the early days of cable, and there were no budgets.

That’s how the network’s first game show, “Double Dare,” came to be produced at the local PBS station in Philadelphia. “Nickelodeon couldn’t do [shows] in La and they couldn’t do them in New York because the cost was too prohibitive,” recalled host Marc Summers. “They found out that the PBS station in Philly, Whyy, wanted to open up a production wing, so the station said, ‘If you help us, we’ll help you. Would you put ads in the trade magazines and say, ‘Hey, we had this great experience down in Philly,’ so other people will come knocking on our...

Comic Books 101: Top 10 Supernatural Comic Books!

It’s that time of year, where the ghouls come out to play and things that go bump in the night make a heck of a lot more noise! It’s Halloween! And Lrm has a series of books that will help get you into the haunting spirit. If you have any series you think fit the genre sound off in the comments below!

1-ghosted

Story: Joshua Williams Art: Goran Sudzuka, Miroslav Mrva

Publisher: Image Comics

Synopsis: Jackson T. Winters is one of the greatest criminal masterminds to ever live... except he's rotting in jail after his last, doomed score. But when a filthy rich collector breaks him out, he's tasked with putting together an elite team of paranormal experts to do the impossible: Steal a ghost from a haunted

2-The October Faction

Story: Steve Niles Art: Damien Worm

Publisher: Idw

Synopsis:...

Everyone’s favorite wallaby, talking cow and neurotic turtle are returning to TV.

Nickelodeon announced Thursday afternoon it has ordered a TV movie of “Rocko’s Modern Life,” the cartoon comedy which originally aired on the channel in the mid-’90s.

Rocko, Heffer and Filburt will all return to O-Town, though voice casting has yet to be confirmed for the revival.

“What I have found by bringing these characters back is that it’s not so much about nostalgia, but a sense that they still feel relevant and fresh to me, and after 20 years, they can’t wait to comment on modern life in the 21st century,” creator Joe Murray said in a statement. “They still have a lot to say.”

Nickelodeon already has two other major revivals in the works. “Legends of the Hidden Temple” will return this fall and a “Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie” is planned...

As you undoubtedly know, San Diego’s Comic-Con International happened this past weekend, and I was fortunate to be amongst the tens of thousands of attendees. There was, as always, a mega-ton to see and do, and it was hard to keep the Fomo (Fear Of Missing Out) from getting completely out of control over the 4.5 days of the con. To stay sane, though, at some point you just have to accept that you’re going to miss a bunch, and focus on what you do have the opportunity to see.

This year, one of my main interests was what Nickelodeon was showcasing. Of course, Nickelodeon is always on my radar, and particularly the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, which I adore. But even beyond the coolness that is the Tmnt, this year, Nickelodeon was focusing on its past – in the best way possible. Through its late-night programming block of “The Splat,...

I’ve got an incredibly fun Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles short film for you to watch that was created by Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez. The short features Donatello and Raphael fighting in a battle that escalates into ridiculousness.

We see the two characters battle in all sorts of ways that include playing video games, eating hot dogs, jump rope, and even a bake off. Of course, the Ninja Turtles wouldn’t be the Ninja Turtles without Shredder and his Foot Clan goons making an appearance.

This is a standalone short that isn’t connected to any other Tmnt project that is currently in development, but it’s still a lot of fun, so enjoy!

Anyone who’s nostalgic for the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” cartoon series from the ‘80s and ‘90s will appreciate a new animated Tmnt short from Jhonen Vasquez, the creator of Nickelodeon’s “Invader Zim.”

Read More: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’ Is A Blast From The Past

The San Diego Comic Con exclusive is a six-minute cartoon entitled “Don vs. Raph,” and it features an epic battle between the brothers over who is the better fighter. While the heroes in the half-shell are known for being equally goofy as they are masters of martial arts, Vasquez’s short sees Donatello and Raphael compete in some pretty bizarre activities after beating each other to a pulp and deciding fighting won’t settle their score.

What kinds of activities? The brothers go head to head in everything from video games to baking to Jenga. There’s also a beauty pageant,...

This week, Kate Erbland joins Anne Thompson for a look at the summer movies. Does a single-star beach horror flick signal a return to mid-budget hits? Can a “Star Trek” movie find something new to offer? How does Mike Birbiglia’s latest, “Don’t Think Twice” stack up against its blockbuster competition?

Read More: ‘Star Trek Beyond’ Director Justin Lin Finds the Human in the Epic

Plus, a preview of this year’s #Sdcc, a quick post-dust-settling chat about Paul Feig’s femme “Ghostbusters” vs. the Ivan Reitman/Harold Ramis original, and some thoughts on the rapidly accelerating career of Margot Robbie. All that and more on this week’s episode of Screen Talk.

Listen to the full episode above.

Screen Talk is available on iTunes. You can subscribe here or via RSS. Share your feedback with Thompson and Kohn on Twitter or sound off in the comments. Browse previous installments here,...

The Heroes in a Half Shell have made their way to Comic-Con! While you wait for tomorrow’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles panel - which is sure to be exciting - Nickelodeon has debuted the first of three animated shorts, which lets you see the Turtles like you’ve never seen them before. The first short down below was created by Jhonen Vasquez (designer for Invader Zim and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja), and is titled “Don Vs Raph!” In this short, Donatello and Raphael wage war with one another and won't stop until one of them wins. Which Turtle will come out on top in a battle that even Shredder won't interfere with? Watch the short for yourself to find out! As Comic-Con rolls on, Nickelodeon will debut two more animated Tmnt shorts. One of the two that will be released is created by Paul Jenkins (The Spectacular Spider-Man) and Tmnt creator Kevin Eastman,...

Invader Zim #1

Written by Jhonen Vasquez

Art by Aaron Alexovich and Megan Lawton

Colors by Simon “Hutt” Trousselier

Published by Oni Press

In case you didn’t know, Invader Zim is back in comic form and this reviewer and longtime Zim fan has been counting down the days to finally getting what we’ve wanted—new content. It’s been fourteen years since the tragically mis-scheduled cartoon about a little alien named Zim first aired on Nickelodeon. If you’ve never seen the series, don’t worry; there’s a two-page introduction that will tell you all that you need to know in order understand the comic. But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t missing out by forgoing the show! Since this is the first issue, allow me to indulge in a bit of history.

In the late 90s, Nickelodeon wanted to attract the kind of audience that...

Invader Zim #1

Written by Jhonen Vasquez

Art by Aaron Alexovitch

Published by Oni Press

Puny humans, disgusting comic fans and small people of all ages with surprisingly large heads are Doomed, Doomed, Doomed to fall head over heels in love with Invader Zim #1 by Jhonen Vasquez and Aaron Alexovitch.

The first issue is an Irken triumph of epic proportions, and it’s a testament to just how good the original cartoon series (which ran between 2001 and 2003 – God, was it that long ago!?!) was that this feels like a homecoming in more ways than one.

The legions of filthy, revolting meat-bags that lapped up the magnificently twisted series the first time round will no doubt flock to this new comic and be overjoyed to find things in Zim, Dib, and Gaz and Gir’s world as deeply surreal and darkly hilarious as they left it.

With a title perfectly in tune...

Joe Matar Aug 15, 2019

We will always love Nickelodeon's silly, weird, disturbing alien adventure, Invader Zim!

Invader Zim is back! This time in the form of a TV movie with Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus!. So what better time to do a fat, stupid list of the best episodes the TV show ever done did? No, better time, that’s when! You love lists after all, don’t you, internet? Yes, you do. Who’s a good internet?

Why a top 20 list?

Because, though there are technically 27 episodes of Zim, the majority are divided into two 11-minute episodes apiece and, if I went with the original plan of doing a top 10, that really would’ve only covered like two hours, which is such a tiny fraction of the overall series I would’ve been forced to overlook some of the silliest, weirdest, and most disturbing moments in episodes that...

In 2001, Invader Zim invaded Nickelodeon. A dark, weird, twisted tale of mad scientists and alien invaders from comic artist Jhonen Vasquez (Johnny the Homicidal Maniac) didn't last too long on the kids network, but it lives forever in my heart. And maybe - just maybe - on my coffee table.

Lego Cuusoo, the crowd sourced Lego site, has a full Invader Zim concept that could become real. Like all submissions on the Cuusoo site, it is a fan-created design that, if it gets enough votes, goes to review by the Lego bigwigs and might just become an actual set you can purchase.

The Invader Zim set, as imagined by user buggyirk, would feature Zim's home base, complete with little details like lawn gnomes, an "I heart Earth!" sign, a green monkey painting, and a flying pig bonus accessory - all things that die-hard fans will recognize. The set would also include the Voot spaceship,...

On October 17, one of the hottest animated series returns for a second season as Frederator Studios unleashes all new episodes of the breakout hit Bravest Warriors exclusively on its Cartoon Hangover YouTube channel.

From Pendleton Ward, the creator of the Emmy-nominated Cartoon Network smash hit Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors chronicles the out-of-this-world futuristic adventures of four teenaged costumed heroes as they warp through the universe to save adorable aliens. Joined by fan favorite characters Catbug and Impossibear, the Bravest Warriors split their time between intergalactic adventures and hanging out in their invisible giant robot hideout. The new season will feature 12, 5-minute episodes with new installments debuting every other Thursday at 4pm Et.

Upon its premiere last Fall, Bravest Warriors became an instant hit. The 11 episode first season has garnered more than 32 million views to date, and won the Shorty Award for Best Web Show of 2013. Its appeal has also attracted...

by Ryan Rigley

Martin McDonagh's latest comedy, "Seven Psychopaths," tells the story of an aspiring screenwriter who unwittingly entangles himself in the criminal underworld of Los Angeles as his bizarre friends accidentally kidnap an unpredictable gangster's cherished Shih Tzu. With a star studded cast (Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits) and an engaging story, "Seven Psychopaths" is sure to be another home-run for the writer/director of 2008's "In Bruges."

In honor of McDonagh's new film, we've taken the liberty of compiling our own list of psychopaths. Comic book psychopaths, of course! These deranged madmen range everywhere from misjudged anti-hero to dangerous serial killer, but one thing that they all have in common is the fact that they are completely out of their minds.

Click past the jump for our list of seven comic book psychopaths!

Deadpool

After Wade Wilson was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer,...

Eyegores? Emmys? Please. Everyone knows that the most important awards are the—admittedly first-time annual—FM’S Got Issues To Award awards. Otherwise known as a lengthy roundup of non-mainstream comic book horror goodness that is worth just as much scrutiny as any the superhero of the week, but struggles to sell half as much, which is tragic.

Why comics?

Because we want to give great comic monsters their due. Because the popularity of comics characters and staple superheroes seems to have skyrocketed (no doubt due to Marvel Studios’ film successes). Because pre-Comics Code beauties like Adventures Into The Unknown and EC Comics titles created just as many nightmares for their readers in the first half of the 20th century as any movie monster. Because post-Comics Code pulp like Creepy and Eerie fulfilled a gap in the media market—one that thirsted for genuine scares on a newsprint page and...

DC Comics has announced new artists for its Beyond the Fringe digital comic. Becky Cloonan and Jhonen Vasquez will contribute to the Fringe spinoff project, reports The Source. The pair will provide artwork for the upcoming issues #5a and #6a. The comic will alternate between 'A' and 'B' storylines every two weeks, with the former set in the main Fringe continuity and the latter offering alternate reality, 'what-if' (more)...

DC Comics has announced new artists for its Beyond the Fringe digital comic. Becky Cloonan and Jhonen Vasquez will contribute to the Fringe spinoff project, reports The Source. The pair will provide artwork for the upcoming issues #5a and #6a. The comic will alternate between 'A' and 'B' storylines every two weeks, with the former set in the main Fringe continuity and the latter offering alternate reality, 'what-if' (more)...

Earthquakes are a serious matter, but Twitter quickly devolved into the world's largest comedy club on the subject yesterday after vibrations hit Washington, D.C., and New York. West Coasters in particular were quick to poke fun at everyone on the receiving end of the shakes.

"Conan the Barbarian" remains the big film being talked about in the feed right now. Despite its poor performance in the theaters, Kurt Busiek has still found a reason to appreciate the movie. His feelings on the matter, Jhonen Vasquez on what I'm assuming to be the new "Hellraiser: Revelations" trailer and more made the favorite tweets of the morning list down below.

I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is the Twitter Report for August 24, 2011.

Earthquake pt. 1: @FrankTieri Hey West Coast-- we've got a Umami Burger and now we've got earthquakes. Now you've got nothin' on us, b-----s

-Frank Tieri, Writer ("Iron Man," "Wolverine")

Earthquake pt.

The rebooted "Planet of the Apes" franchise proved to be a juggernaut in theaters over the weekend, and the tweet reactions it received show why. Jhonen Vasquez claimed to have accidentally stumbled into a different ape film, but I've got my doubts about that.

Rafael Kayanan seemed to dig it, though. Find out why, see how Brian Michael Bendis feels about recent events in "Entourage," and understand why Cheez-Its creep out Jim Lee down below.

I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is the Twitter Report for August 8, 2011.

@RafaelKayanan Planet Of The Apes has great story, action and fx. Most summer films hit one or two; but not all three.

-Rafael Kayanan, Artist ("Conan the Adventurer," "Amazing Spider-Man")

@DamonLindelof "If you wait through the end credits, Nick Fury recruits Caesar." (Adam Horowitz to me as soda shot out of my nose) #Damndirtyapes

-Damon Lindelof, Writer/Producer ("Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine," "Lost...

We shouldn't be surprised that comic book creators continue to adore "Captain America: The First Avenger." However, it seems that some of them are having a tough time finding a screening. If you have any tips, you should pass them on to Mr. Bryan Hitch.

Meanwhile, Mike Oeming apparently had no problem finding the "Powers" set in Chicago. He's been tweeting gasps and pictures of watermelon. Find out what his creative partner from the comics thinks about that, and see who's setting some lofty goals for himself on Google+. All of this and more made the day's rundown.

I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is the Twitter Report for July 26, 2011.

@edgarwright Knock knock. Who's there? Doctor... twitpic.com/5vzjrl

-Edgar Wright, Director ("Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," "Shaun of the Dead")

"Powers" pt. 1: @Oeming On the Powers set! Mind is blown!!!

-Mike Oeming, Writer/Artist ("Powers," "The Mice Templar")

"Powers" pt.

Ever since "Wall·E" ended, the doors have been left wide open for serious, dark explanations behind the stories in Pixar films. A handful of Marvel creators speculated about the truth behind the "Cars" universe this morning, including how the automobiles reproduce and how their world came to be what it is as it exists now in "Cars 2."

Another follow-up film has been attracting stares on Twitter as well. The "Footloose" remake has an official trailer, and even Kevin Bacon may not be enough to get Marjorie Liu to see it. Her evaluation of the new film, Bill Amend's quest to improve his "StarCraft" skills and Brad Meltzer on what gets lost when he's translated into Spanish appear in today's retweet reel.

I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is your Twitter Report for June 22, 2011.

@bradmeltzer Decoded officially launched in Latin America. They dub my arm-crossing, but could find no translation for my pouty-lip stares.

The new "Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" teaser still keeps its hero in the shadows, but it's given the world a glimpse at what director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson have put together. A few tweeters feel like it may have jumped a little too far into the uncanny valley, though.

Meanwhile, Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly's debate last night attracted a few responses as well. Reactions to that, news of an up-and-coming Marvel trivia champion and Simon Pegg's new fight to raise awareness are each on the record after the jump.

I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is the Twitter Report for May 17, 2011.

@Brianmbendis my daughter is schooling @axelalonsomarv and @TomBrevoort in marvel trivia. painful to watch!!

-Brian Michael Bendis, Writer ("New Avengers," "Ultimate Spider-Man")

@maguirekevin Wow! Jon Stewart pelted Bill O'Reilly with facts that would have made any sane man say "I was wrong" and O'Reilly remained impervious!