Invader Zim Creator And Cast Talk Hazbin Hotel Influence (Exclusive)

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John Vasquez is often credited as the creator of “Invader Zim,” but bringing an animated series to fruition is a collaborative effort. Recently at Dragon Con, our team at egmr.ru had the opportunity to converse with not only the creator, but also voice actors Rikki Simons and Melissa Fahn, who lend their voices to GIR and Gaz respectively. During this interview, we delved into the enduring impact of the Nickelodeon series and its role in paving the path for contemporary shows like “Hazbin Hotel” and “Helluva Boss.

Previously, Vivienne Medrano, the brain behind Hellaverse, mentioned that the universe of Invader Zim played a significant role in shaping her story. Notably, Richard Steven Horvitz, who voiced Zim, was cast as Moxxie in Helluva Boss. Interestingly, Horvitz is also directing the SpindleHorse pilot for Homestuck, demonstrating his influence within the Hellaverse. When discussing the impact of Invader Zim on animation with Jhonen Vasquez, the creator remains amazed by the series’ immense success on Nickelodeon.

Occasionally, it seems like the project Zim didn’t gain traction but rather met an unfortunate end. What’s astonishing is that despite its apparent failure, people continue to show interest in it, almost as if they were drawn to a blazing fire. Over time, more and more individuals have been attracted to the flame, keeping it burning fiercely and seemingly fueled by endless energy from fans. Recently, we encountered a young girl who looked like she was an advertisement for a Zim fan, and her mother told us that she had watched the entire series from start to finish. It’s become increasingly difficult for things to disappear nowadays due to streaming platforms.

Zim Meets Hell

I can’t contain my excitement when I reflect on the triumph of Hellaverse! Honestly, I never thought Hazbin Hotel would soar to heights that even Zim could only fantasize about. It’s mind-blowing to realize that something I created continues to resonate with people. On one hand, I’ve been inspired by my own childhood favorites – but on the other, it feels like they’re taking a bit too much credit! I jest, of course, but isn’t it ironic and funny?”

This way, the paraphrase is more conversational, friendly, and first-person narrative, while still maintaining the original sentiment and humor.

Melissa inquired of Vasquez and Simons, “Suppose ‘Invader Zim’ were released today with modern platforms and different promotional strategies, do you two believe it could reach even greater heights compared to the Hellaverse?

Vasquez replied, “To be honest, I’m not sure. It’s fascinating to notice recent works that seem to draw inspiration from Invader Zim. A few ideas come to mind, and yet it continues to feel strange. I don’t typically ponder my influence, but it always feels odd. At the same time, it’s quite pleasant, although sometimes it can be a little unsettling.

Will Invader Zim Return?

Despite the promising prospects of shows like “Hazbin Hotel” and “Helluva Boss” on Amazon Prime Video, there’s currently no definite plan for the return of “Invader Zim”. The last time we saw this quirky Nickelodeon character was in the 2019 feature-length film, “Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus”, which continued from where the original series ended. Since then, “Invader Zim” has reappeared in various comic books, but there’s no indication that the animated series will resume production on the network where it was originally created.

Vasquez is recognized for his unique comic book series that came before his collaborations with Nickelodeon. Works such as “Johnny the Homicidal Maniac,” “Squee,” and “I Feel Sick” adopt a significantly darker tone compared to typical material. During our conversation, Jhonen mentioned he recently revisited these stories after many years, finding it strange to see what his younger self had created. As of now, there’s no news about Johnny getting an individual animated project, but given the content, it would likely receive a “TV-MA” or “R” rating.

Curious about whether a collaboration between the Hellaverse and Invader Zim might happen? Keep tabs on Team Anime at egmr.ru for updates on Hazbin Hotel, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments.

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2025-09-03 19:12