'Dead End: Paranormal Park' is Delightfully Disturbing

 


Dead End: Paranormal Park is based on the DeadEndia graphic novel series. It follows a group of kids and their horrific misadventures in Dollywood a haunted theme park called Phoenix Park. I feel like there aren't enough horror-themed shows for kids these days. Not to mention that autistic people are underrepresented in animation, and if they are, they are just stereotypes and are bullied by the other characters. And that's not even getting into the lack of trans characters. Luckily, Dead End delivers on all these fronts.

Animation: 2/2. I quite like the animation, it is reminiscent of The Amazing World of Gumball and Elliott From Earth. However, the best animation in the show is displayed in Episode 3, which features a unique art shift. When Norma faces her fears, the animation is rendered in a beautiful watercolor-like style.

Characters: INFINITY/2. I'm serious. Practically every character on the show is lovable in their own right. As someone who is both autistic and transmasc, I adore Norma and Barney equally. Norma, for once, isn't a typical emotionless/uncaring character, and the other characters are actually nice to her instead of bullying/babying her. She is fairly realistic and seems like someone you could meet in real life. The same goes for Barney. He's a trans guy, a bit of a dorky loser who just wants to be treated normally. Like a certain mecha pilot from a certain 1995 anime created by Hideaki Anno, Barney has a tendency to run away from his problems. He intended to run away from his family so he wouldn't face his transphobic grandma. Eventually, he learns to not run away and stands up to his parents for letting blatant transphobia slide. Oh, and Courtney is a menacing little shit, I just love them. Courtney reminds me of Zim from Invader Zim.

Writing: 2/2. The writing and dialogue are refreshingly natural. The scene where Barney says he's trans just feels so natural and not forced. There's also a great message: acceptance isn't enough. You have to actively stand up for marginalized groups. Barney's parents may 'support' him, but they don't tell the grandma to stop being transphobic towards Barney. Barney calls them out on this. I think this is a message that needs to be shared with everyone. Also, the truth about who Pauline Phoenix really is (as well as her impersonators), makes for a compelling mystery plotline. 

Voice Acting: 2/2. I'd just like to give a shout out to Emily Osment. I primarily know her as a 2000s Disney Channel star, but here she gives a comedic, mischievous performance as Courtney. I think she should have more voice acting roles in other cartoons soon.

Music: 2/2. Apart from the eerie opening theme, the show also has an entire musical episode, with songs written by Patrick Stump. It's full of parodies of musical theatre and Disney and whatnot, but they work.

The LGBT community is under attack by evangelicals and Republican lawmakers now more than ever, especially trans people, who are wrongfully accused of being groomers. Contrary to popular belief, being gay/trans isn't inherently sexual. It's not inappropriate for kids. Dead End: Paranormal Park is definitely a show we needed in these trying times, and it has really good messages that I think kids should learn. 


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