Jhonen Vasquez: Summary

Recent Role:: n/a on Invader ZIM

Gender:: Male

Birthday:: 9-1-1974

Birthplace:: San Jose, California

AKA:: Mr. Scolex

Jhonen was born and raised on San Jose's East Side. After graduating Mount Pleasant high school in 1992, he began film classes at De Anza College. Jhonen, however, is most widely recognized for his comic book works that include "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac," "Squee," and "I Feel Sick: A book about a girl." His (most popular) "Johnny..." series was first published in Carpe Noctem, an underground Goth magazine out of Mount Pleasant in 1995. Vasquez was soon picked up by Slave Labor Graphics, which is still his current publisher.

Jhonen pitched the idea of Invader Zim when contacted by (now executive producer of the show) Mary Harrington. According to an interview, Jhonen comments on the show:

``The idea of doing a show for Nickelodeon, there's just something so twisted about that,'' he says. ``I'm not out to make some nasty, heinous show that will completely destroy the network or anything like that.

``But just the idea, just the thing that I had a show on Nickelodeon, people go, `YOU? My gawd, what are they trying to do to the children?' And I usually throw my head back and laugh for 10 minutes. And then when I'm done, I say, `Well, I thought it would be interesting...and it has been interesting -- if not joyous.'' Jhonen was born and raised on San Jose's East Side. After graduating Mount Pleasant high school in 1992, he began film classes at De Anza College. Jhonen, however, is most widely recognized for his comic book works that include "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac," "Squee," and "I Feel Sick: A book about a girl." His (most popular) "Johnny..." series was first published in Carpe Noctem, an...

Start a blog about Jhonen Vasquez.

Sorry there is no news for Jhonen Vasquez at this time.

9.9
00
DrakkenWasHere
member since: Feb 25, 2007
A man of great talent. ...Continue »
There really is no point in me telling you how amazing Mister Vasquez is...But that is not going to stop me from doing so, anyway. Jhonen Vasquez has had, and still does have, a big impact in my life. His work has helped to shape me into the person I am today. Growing up, Invader Zim spoke to my little demon in me (you know, the one that lives in your squeedly spooch). I was always strange, and the show let me know that I wasn't the only one with such demented thoughts. When I became a little more "mature", I started buying Johnny The Homicidal Maniac comics. It calmed me down, it was a way that I disposed of my subtle pent up anger. So, that kid is chastising me for my medical problems, huh? Lets pretend that , instead of just walking away, I pulled out a knife and cut off their foul tung instead. Now that I had my fun, let's push those fantasies away and continue our day. Reading JTHM helped me from causing harm; the damage that I really wanted to cause, but was to moral to do anything about. When I had surgeries, Invader Zim, JTHM, Happy Noodle Boy, and all the rest of Vasquez's work helped me from getting depressed. Strange, right? That something so macabre could keep me smiling?

These are the reasons why I consider Jhonen Vasquez to be my "Dark Knight". So thank you JV, for all your unintentional help!

~Lemel Takk signing off.
06/20/08 07:28am | report abuse
10
00
lil_mizz_krazie
member since: Apr 20, 2008
very great ...Continue »
Jhonen u r AWESOME! why did u cancel Invader Zim? i loved (and still do) it so much! i bought all the DVDs at Hot Topic and am wearing a shirt as we speak!Thank u for casting Richard Horvitz as Zim! Billy West, Mark Hamill, or Andy Berman is not a good choice. well,at least Billy West wasn't, i'm not sure about the other 2. I haven't read any of his comics but my friend brought one to school and i can tell from the pictures, their insane. the book i saw him bring was Squee. i don't know if i'm going to buy em.
05/18/08 11:59am | report abuse
10
00
InvaderNaruto
member since: Feb 5, 2008
empty ...Continue »
Jhonen made Jthm (Johnny the homicidal maniac), squee, and Invader Zim, he is a genius.
05/15/08 07:54pm | report abuse
10
20
bethanstein
member since: Jun 29, 2007
Oh my god Jhonen!! I love him with all my heart! ...Continue »
Ever since the first episode of Invader Zim came on, I knew Jhonen was an artist. He is very talented and artistic. His drawings are simply amazing and original, I've never seen such original drawing. Jhonen's very first comic, Johnny The Homicidal Maniac helped through a time I was very depressed, lonely, and angry. Peers were getting to me and I began to hate everyone, as does Johnny, so JTHM gave me something I call pain-food, like getting rid of your pain. Invader Zim made me laugh non stop! Every inch of that show was funny and enlightening. Today it is very under appreciated because it is 'dark.' That doesn't mean the kids considered dark should have to put up with sunshine and rainbow cartoons. Jhonen Vasquez is a dark person, and if the people who cancelled it didn't like it, why did they watch it? Even though Invader Zim is gone, we still have the memories of Jhonens fabulous cartoon. In conclusion of my babbilings, Jhonen is a one of a kind guy. Always fresh and original with his work. Jhonen deserves more tha he already gets. Hopefully someday people will see how original (and funny) his works are. Thanks for your listening everyone! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~BethanStein
06/28/07 12:09pm | report abuse
10
00
Bladez636
member since: Jun 7, 2007
Jhonen He Rules! ...Continue »
Jhonen I Love his works and his style its so..... Unique and I mean that in a Good way of Course. Plainly all I have to say in this review is that Jhonen Rules. Invader Zim was one of The First of his works ive seen though a Few years later while on The Computer I saw JTHM, Squee and I Feel Sick however I was quite frightened by them. Since then I didnt watch Zim that much and I regret that I mean how can I stop watching that show. Last year my Parents got rid of Nicktoons the only Channel I Could view Zim on however when I started to get back into Zim after L&S so I then found out that DVDs were released in 2004 and so eventually I ordered them and so thats when I became more a JV Fan and I wasnt really so freaked out by Squee, JTHM or I Feel Sick anymore. Despite he would never continue Zim it would be cool had he started another series on a Channel that gave him creative freedom unlike Nickelodeon. Thats all I have to say mostly how Jhonen Rules and why I think so.
06/18/07 08:07pm | report abuse