From shirts to pizzas: Netflix show causes deluge of Jeffrey Dahmer inspired merch during Halloween
Ever since the release of Netflix’s hit true-crime series based on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, there has been no shortage of merchandise and trinkets inspired by the man. From glasses to shirts to a pizza, it seems that this Halloween season, Dahmer-fever, as inappropriate as it may be, has caught on.
Capital Pizza, a Texas based pizza restaurant had recently grabbed headlines for an amazingly life-like model of a Dahmer-themed pizza. The restaurant came up with a Styrofoam-based pizza model which looks like it’s been made from rotting flesh, guts and eyeballs. A bunch of life-like fingers have been added too for good measure. And this, is only a recent (albeit, disturbing) addition to a long line of Dahmer-inspired trinkets.
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It doesn’t just stop with stuff that you can look at. It would seem that a section of people have deemed it perfectly acceptable to dress up as the psycho-killer, especially with Halloween season around. According to a report by Vanity Fair, the recent series has caused a spike in the searches of ‘Dahmer Halloween costumes’ on e-commerce sites such as eBay.
Some of the Halloween costumes that were sold on eBay based on the serial killer include an orange jumpsuit and a face mask which was inspired by Evan Peters’ portrayal of Dahmer in the Netflix show. Other were also selling the thin-framed glasses that are similar to the ones Dahmer wore.
There have also been hoodies and T-shirts that have some very disturbing slogans and graphics written and depicted on them. One of them reads, "If you can’t beat ‘em, EAT ‘EM," while a hoodie reads, "I eat guys like you for breakfast."
There have also been button-up shirts that were listed on eBay that look similar to the iconic striped maroon shirt that Evan Peters wore on 'Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story'. Even Dahmer-esque wigs were listed.
However, eBay has made it clear that it does not endorse any of these listings and has gone one step forward to remove these listings because they do not match with the company’s ideals. A representative of eBay had reportedly said, “I can confirm that these items are banned on eBay and are being removed under our violence and violent criminal policy. These items have been prohibited under the policy—this was not a new or recent decision.”
While the general consensus is that anything that propagates hate, abuse and torture that Dahmer stoood for isn't to be entertained, it is to be noted that a lot of people continue to buy such mechandise. And as a consequence, when there is a demand, there are suppliers willing to sell these as well. So Dahmer merchandise may not be going away anytime soon.