Invader Zim-"Zim's Day Off"-David Press

PAGE ONE.

1.1:

We're looking at the work bench of ZIM. His back is to us, all kinds of cork screws and other things are flying in every direction while electricity erupts around the room. Zim is talking to himself, laughing maniacally. 

ZIM

Oh come on! Connect, you blapperzorg disguised as dog poop!

(CONT)

Yes. YES!

1.2: 

Similar to previous but this time, Zim raises the device over his head. The device is a FITBIT--and it's crackling with Kirby molecules and a purple energy field. 

ZIM

My TeleBit is complete! 

1.3 INSET:

On ZIM'S EYE, his eyebrow is cocked and he has that crazy look in his eye.

ZIM

Now I will rule ze art world! 

1.4:

A bubble of PURPLE ENERGY and Kirby Krackle materializes in the JACKSON POLLACK wing of the Museum. 

SFX (OFF, TO THE RIGHT)

POOF!

1.5:

He pulls the Pollack off the wall while his TeleBit is still crackling with energy. 

ZIM

Mine!

1.6 CUT TO:

ART HISTORY CLASS where Zim--as his alter ego--is putting the finishing touches on the piece he just stole. His TEACHER is a kind of an aging hippy with a white beard and a long pony-tail, sporting some bifocals, perhaps you can tease the fact that he's wearing a tye-dye t-shirt.

TEACHER

That is remarkable!

ZIM

Why thank you! 

END

Invader Zim - An Elderly Bookie - Perry Kent

Panel 1

Interior, day, library. Zim, in his human suit, drops a book onto the counter of a library checkout station. An ancient librarian looks down at him from across her desk.

1. ZIM: I wish to obtain this horribly obsolete information storage device.

Panel 2

Librarian stares at him with an overly sweet demeanor.

2. LIBRARIAN: And do you have your library card?

3. ZIM: What? A "card"? No, I don't have a "card".

Panel 3

The librarian starts ranting with a raged expression and anger in her eyes.

4. LIBRARIAN: Oh, you're one of those punks that thinks they can just take a precious book. No! Not on my watch. I'm the watcher, the keeper, the protector of books and until you've proven yourself worthy to be entrusted with this tomb of knowledge I say: Nay!

Panel 4

Zim looks taken aback like he was not expecting such a firey response from such an elderly lady.

5. ZIM: Uh...right. How do I get one of these cards? Do I have to pass a series of tests or prove myself in battle?

Panel 5

The librarian drops a thick stack of paper onto the counter, next to the book Zim wants to borrow. It is bigger than the book itself. Zim's eyes are wide and surprised.

6. LIBRARIAN: Simply fill out this paper. In triplicate.

Invader Zim - Taking Care of Itself - Grant McLaughlin

1 - Zim stands at his control station, hard at work at something - perhaps have all manner of equations, chalk boards, papers, and the like littering the area around him.  Nearby, GIR sleeps off to the side, clearly bored by whatever Zim is doing.

ZIM (quietly): Yes...

2 - Zim has a eureka! moment, shouting for joy. GIR is woken up with a start, perhaps falling over completely.

ZIM (1): I've finally done it!

ZIM (2): It required all of my focus and intellect, but I have the perfect plan to finally ensure Earth's doom!

3 - Zim looks super pleased with himself, while GIR regains his footing.

ZIM: The Tallest will be so impressed with my actions that they will have no choice but to call me up to praise my genius and guile!

SFX (communications screen turning on): bzzt

TALLEST (off-panel): Zim!

4 - Zim looks towards the communications screen, where both of the Almighty Tallest sit in the bridge of their starship.

TALLEST: We are so impressed with your actions that we had no choice but to call you up to praise your genius and guile!

5 - On Zim, who is trying to look proud, but mostly looks confused.

ZIM (1): Thank you--

ZIM (2): Wait, what?

6 - Back on the screen and the Almighty Tallest.

TALLEST 1: The events of the past year could not have left the Earth more destabilized.

TALLEST 2: The armada is already en route. We will strike while the time is ripe!

7 - Back on Zim, who now looks straight up confused. He looks to GIR for guidance, but GIR only shrugs, unsure.

SFX (communication screen turning off): bzzt

ZIM: What are they talking about?

CAPTION: January 1st, 2017

Invader Zim – Game of DOOM – MK Stangeland Jr.

(6 Panels)

Panel 1: A Television screen, displaying an E3-like event. On stage is DAN HACKMAN, a modern-age game developer type, complete with a casual-Friday style business suit. His face stands out in particular, as it sports a very robotic, artificial looking forced smile.

HACKMAN: And now, to officially reveal our latest Next-Gen system, I present the brains of the design team, Zimmy Eyes!

Panel 2: HACKMAN has stepped aside to reveal ZIM, disguised as ‘ZIMMY EYES’. The base is his go-to human outfit, but he’s wearing a casual business suit and nerd glasses, plus an obvious fake soul patch on his chin. His face is just short of revealing itself to be an evil grin as he looks out upon the crowd and waves.

ZIM (1): Hello!

ZIM (2): Yes, it is I, Zimmy Eyes, brilliant game god game designer extraordinaire.

Panel 3: The couch and living room of the MEMBRANE residence. GAZ sits on the couch with her usual ‘monotone frustration’ look.

DIB stands in front of the couch, pointing at the TV with determination using his best accusatory point.

DIB (1): *gasp!*

DIB (2): ZIM!

Panel 4: Back to the TV, where ZIM stands on the stage.

ZIM (1): Yes, I am here to reveal to you slaves of your precious ‘video gaming’ this amazing new game system to which you shall all be enslaved!

ZIM (2): Yes, enslaved to amazing games!

ZIM (3): Presenting…

Panel 5: TV image shows a video display of the ‘GAME ENSLAVER U’, which looks like a white box that is about as aesthetically pleasing as a plain white box can look, alongside a techie looking helmet with green visor and gloves.

ZIM (1): THE GAME ENSLAVER U!

ZIM (2): For U will be ENSLAVED! To GREAT GAMING!

ZIM (3): MUAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

ZIM (4): I laugh because of how entertained you will all be!

Panel 6: ZIM stands on the stage, looking down at the cheering crowds in front of him. His hands are clasped behind his back as he glares malevolently.

CROWD: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

DIB (1): (Off-Panel) Alright Zim, I know how this works.

DIB (2): (Off-Panel) Time to tell me what your evil plan is.

GAZ: (Off-Panel) DIB!

(END PAGE)

Why Invader Zim?

Invader Zim may well be one of the great examples of Black Humor at it’s finest.

The protagonist is a villain – not a sympathetic villain, not a villain with a heartbreaking backstory, not a redeemable villain, not even a villain who’s motives you can understand. Zim is a straight-up evil alien intent on taking over the world because that’s his job (Well, technically it’s not, but that’s another story…) – and it’s a job he loves.

It’s setting is a universe that takes a super pessimistic view of life, where Earth is largely populated by idiots and misery is the status quo, held in check by what are realistically meaningless superficial distractions.

It’s a series where the narrative really only works because the average intelligence is below average. Even Zim himself is such a doofus of a screwup that he’s caused more damage to his own species than he has to Earth. And even the one guy who’s even aware of what Zim’s up to (in spite of the fact that Zim is realistically not that well hidden) gets frustrated enough that he questions why he even bothers sometimes.

And it works. Because while triumph makes for great inspiration and drama, failure makes for terrific comedy, and there’s nothing like laughing at the failings and shortcomings of others, especially when those failures are a good thing. It helps that the whole thing is served up with well-prepared writing that includes no shortage of ridiculous and bizarre humor that spares no effort in going over the top without shame.

Comedy. It’s a funny thing.