The Nightmare Before Christmas

This   topsy - turvy   holiday classic is just correct for the transition from summer into autumn , and is always a fun choicefor any clip , from Halloween through to Christmas ! Though it focuses heavily on Jack Skellington and his pursuance for Christmas , what else is there to learn about his faithful animal friend , Zero ?

He Is A Ghost That Breathes

Zero has the face of a dog while the balance of his body takes on the appearance of a children ’s specter costume . Jack’sadorable companionis clearly meant to be the trace of a pet pup that has eliminate on to the other side .

But despite being dead ( along with most of the othercitizens of Halloween Town ) , Zero appears to breathe ! In the film , while kip in his handbasket bottom , his canvas - like body can be hear rising and fall , as if inhale and exhale in relaxed slumber .

He Can Shapeshift

The Nightmare Before Christmaswas based on a poem written by Tim Burton , which was a reimagining of the poem , " The Visit From Saint Nicholas , " more unremarkably recognise as " Twas The Night Before Christmas . "

While the story is quite similar as far as the canonical elements of the plot go , there are a few cardinal difference of opinion .   One such Apocalypse is that Zero can shapeshift ! At the end of the poem , Zero see Jack crying and swiftly reverse into a tissue paper box so that his master can pass over his tears .

He Has His Own Comic Series

Someone see that there was a lot of potential in the playful spook dog and gave Zero his very own comic book series!Published by TOKYOPOP , Zero ’s Journeyserves as the subsequence to the pic and is a   collection of 20 freestanding single - proceeds comics .

The stories focalize on the many adventures of Zero , include a secret sojourn to Christmas Town … but there will be more on that later !

He Brings To Mind Other Holiday-Themed “Rudolphs”

Zero was instigate by the taradiddle and featuresof Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer , made obvious by his   shiny , pumpkin - shaped nose . Why does he have that nose though , and how are the other vacation townsfolk connected to each other in the reality produce inThe Nightmare Before Christmas ?

If there is a Rudolph in Christmas Town and a Zero with his own glowing nose in Halloween Town , are there more ? A Thanksgiving Turkey with a glowing beak ? Of naturally , the true answer is that it was just a cunning callback to Christmas and Zero ’s future role lead Jack ’s sledge , but it is fun to consider .

He Has Gone To Christmas Town By Himself

Zero ’s Journeyexplores Zero ’s trip to Christmas Town . While playing a game of fetch , he chase Jack ’s costa pearl all the way into the timberland and straight up to the same vacation - themed door that his master once found .

intrigue by the Christmas door , Zero goes through and line up himself terribly lost in the colorful world of Christmas Town , but can he find his way back in time for both Halloween and Christmas in his own worldly concern ?

He May Be Based On A Dachshund

Zero has a lithesome , pointed font , and recollective , floppy spike , play along by an elongated ghost eubstance . Many fan have comment that he is likely prompt by the dachshund strain .

This would n’t be the first time that Tim Burton has been inspired by a specific dog from real life . His curt film ( and by and by feature - distance block movement - film)Frankenweeniewas inspired by the loss of his own pet booster when he was only 10 - years - old .

His Mood Is Linked To Jack’s Emotional State

Watch nearly or you might escape it ! Throughout the flick , andespecially during " Jack ’s Lament,“Zero ’s humour shifts based on Jack ’s emotion , second by moment . He is happy when Jack is happy , and sad when Jack is sorry .

This is in all likelihood inspired by the aroused capacity of existent - life dogs , and how they seem to realise when their owner are upset by something .

Not only a popular movie , poem , and comic book series , The Nightmare Before Christmasfranchise has also expanded to video games - and Zero come with them !

Zero is boast as a playable character in the phone game , Disney Magic Kingdom , and can be bought with in - game jewel . He can also be establish in other games , includingThe Nightmare Before Christmas : The Pumpkin King , andThe Nightmare Before Christmas : Oogie ’s Revenge .

He Was One Of Only Three Characters In The Poem

In the original poem written by Tim Burton , there were only three actual characters - Jack Skellington , Zero , and Santa Claus . Zero spends the length of the poem attempting to cheer Jack up .

Helpful , precious , and account in the poem as thebest friend that Jack had ever had , it ’s easy to see why he just had to be included in the full film version .

He Is The Only Main Character That Doesn’t Speak

Often by Jack ’s side or otherwise attempt to help him in some means , Zero functions as a main lineament in both the poem and in the movie . He is also the only principal graphic symbol that does n’t speak .

Despite his lack of dialog , the interview can easily read Zero ’s emotion and what he is trying to tell Jack at any given moment , thanks to his facial expressions and his actions , brilliantlybrought to aliveness by stop motionanimators .

NEXT : The Nightmare Before Christmas : 10 Movies To Watch If You Love It

The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Poster

zero flying and zero comic book

Ghost Dog Zero in Tim Burton’s The Night Before Christmas

the book version of NightmareBeforeChristmas

comic book covers of zero comics

zero flying

Jack in christmas town

Zero sleeping in a basket in The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas Pitch Meeting Jack Skellington and Zero

video game covers

zero brings jack his santa hat

Zero and his grave doghouse

Movies

The Nightmare Before Christmas