Dead End: Paranormal Park Explained

Creator:Hamish Steele
Composer:Julian Guidetti
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:20
Producer:Jen Coatsworth
Editor:Joseph Rowe
Runtime:26–31 minutes
Network:Netflix

Dead End: Paranormal Park[1] is an American animated fantasy horror comedy television series created by British author Hamish Steele for Netflix, which is based on the graphic novels series DeadEndia by Steele and Cartoon Hangover's Too Cool! Cartoons web short Dead End.[2] [3] [4] Produced by Blink Industries, the series premiered on June 16, 2022.[5] A second and final season premiered on October 13, 2022.[6] On January 13, 2023, Steele announced that the series had been canceled.[7]

Premise

The series follows Barney and Norma, the newest employees at their local theme park, Phoenix Parks, a Dollywood-esque park created by the famous celebrity Pauline Phoenix.[8] [9] Joined by Pugsley, Barney's childhood dog, and Courtney, a thousand-year-old demon, they discover the world of the Paranormal as well as learning new things about themselves.[10]

Plot

Barney Guttman is the main protagonist of the series. He is a gay transgender teen boy who finds a new job as a security guard of Phoenix Parks. Barney has family problems. His grandmother doesn't accept the fact that he is trans. While it hasn't been made clear what his grandmother said to him, it was shown to be very hurtful. Barney's parents accept him for who he is, but do nothing when his grandmother begins verbally abusing him. Shortly after starting at his new job, Barney secretly moves in the Haunted House attraction with his dog, Pugsley. On the same day, Norma Khan is also starting her new job at Phoenix Parks as part of the security team. Norma is a 17-year-old autistic Pakistani-American girl who is obsessed with all things Pauline Phoenix. Norma is very socially anxious, dreading social interaction, and has been shown to have panic attacks when overwhelmed.

After walking to the haunted house and entering, they meet Courtney, a demon who disguises herself as part of the attraction. Courtney is taking orders from Temeluchus, a member of the demon royal family. Temeluchus needs a vessel to interact with the world and tasks Courtney to bring them Barney. After Barney's dog Pugsley realizes this, he jumps in front of Barney and ends up getting possessed instead of Barney. He flies to an attraction in Camelot Creek to claim a throne.

Barney's scared that Pugsley might get hurt, so he walks to the attraction. Norma follows him after doubting a bit. Norma gets an idea from an old Pauline Phoenix film where a demon soul is captured by taking a photograph. When they both arrive at Camelot Creek, Norma turns on the attraction and Barney hops in a boat for Temeluchus/Pugsley to follow, tempting the demon with his body as a vessel instead of his dogs. The plan works fine initially, but then Temeluchus realizes the duo's plan and turns the camera away from him using magic. Norma, struggling at first, succeeds in turning the camera back just in time. They capture the soul of Temeluchus in the photograph and head back to the haunted house.

When they get to the haunted house, Barney and Norma give the photograph to Courtney, who is sad because Temeluchus promised to return her to her home, but happy not to be taking any more orders. Courtney realizes that part of Temeluchus is missing from the photo. Pugsley still has a bit of Temeluchus inside him, and because of this he has gained the ability to talk, use magic and easily walk on two legs.

There are more secrets and mysteries at Phoenix Parks, will our new friends survive what they are in store for?

Cast and characters

Production, development, and release

On 17 August 2020, Steele explained how the show changed from its original iteration on Cartoon Hangover in 2014, and the graphic novels that followed it,[19] stating that he is grateful for showrunners who fought for LGBTQ characters in their shows, adding that there was "absolutely no pushback from Netflix about representation", while describing Barney as a trans male character.[20] He also hoped that the show will help out "more trans creators getting their chance to tell their stories" while hinting at other LGBTQ characters in the show apart from Barney. In another interview, he was thankful to Netflix executives for letting them have diversity in the show while pushing for it, and pushing him to "tell the story I want to tell".[21] He stated that all the scripts were reviewed by GLAAD and said he couldn't wait for people to know Barney. Jen Rudin was a casting executive for the show.[22] Julian Guidetti is the show's composer, and features original songs written by Patrick Stump.[23] In January 2023, he revealed that the series was pitched to Netflix in 2019, and that the series wasn't a "word-for-word adaptation" of the comics he had written.

The series was scheduled to premiere in 2021.[24] The series was originally scheduled for a Fall 2021 premiere on Netflix.[25] [26]

In August 2021, Steele noted the importance of trans representation in the series, hoped it took a stance against transphobia in the UK, and noted there are "multiple trans cast and crew".[27] On 23 October 2021, Netflix reserved a trademark with the new name for the series: "Dead End: Paranormal Park".[28]

On 19 May 2022, the show's trailer premiered and confirmed the show would premiere on 16 June 2022. Mey Rude of Out stated that the trailer gives a "great look at the show" and said that the show features queer and trans characters, addressing these identities "through important storylines".[29] The first season premiered June 16, 2022.

In July 2022, after the show's release, Steele argued that the series was a young adult animation like Infinity Train and hoped for the expansion of the genre in the future.[30] On 6 September 2022, a second season was confirmed to be released on October 13.[31] The second season premiered on October 13. On 13 January 2023, Steele announced that Netflix has cancelled the series.

On 17 January 2023, Steele wrote a guest column in Gizmodo, saying that the cancellation meant that "the story cannot conclude on screen" and added that "politics of TV production" means that creators are "never guaranteed to end things on your terms", differentiating it from writing webcomics and graphic novels.[32]

Episodes

Season 2 (2022)

Reception

The series was received positively. David Opie of Digital Spy argued that the series satiates the "endless need for adorable queer animation" and noting other animated series with queer-inclusive stories.[33] Abbey White of The Hollywood Reporter said the series isn't "typical" for animated series, noted the "racially-, gender- and sexuality-diverse cast" and argued the series smashes genres and is "equal parts comedy, horror and coming of age."[34] Ben Mitchell, the editor-in-chief of Skwigly called the series a "horror comedy...for younger audiences" and praised the well-developed characters and "incredible attention to detail" in production design.[35] Reuben Baron of Paste called the series "groundbreaking" and argued that U.S. senators Roger Marshall, Mike Lee, Mike Braun, Steve Daines, and Kevin Cramer demanded new content warnings because the series centers on a trans protagonist. Baron criticized the series for not capturing the "visual charm" of the DeadEndia comic and saying the series "tones down" some themes from the comic while praising the writing and treatment of autism in the series.[36]

Jade King of The Gamer argued that the series is "delightfully queer" and said it comes together in a "warm, comforting, and spooky animated adventure". She also praised the show's character development and said the show shouldn't be overlooked.[37] Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge called the series a "shining example" of what queer creators can do "when given the resources and freedom to tell their own stories", said its existence is evident in the impact of "other recent progressively minded cartoons" on modern animation and hoped that Netflix renewed the series.[38] Kristy Puchko of Mashable called it a "kinetic and heartwarming adventure cartoon" which delivers on LGBTQ representation and is true to the source material.[39] Barry Levitt of The Daily Beast called the series a "incredibly fun journey" with bright and inviting "colors and charming character designs filling every frame" and said it is a "miracle" the series is coming out, with rising transphobic rhetoric.[40]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Quirky, Spooky and Hilarious World Of 'DeadEndia' Comes To Netflix In A New Animated Series. 2 July 2020. Netflix Media Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914011432/https://about.netflix.com/en/news/quirky-spooky-and-hilarious-world-of-dead-endia-comes-to-netflix-in-a-new-animated-series. 2020-09-14.
  2. "Dead End" - Cartoon Hangover Shorts #6 - Full Episode. Cartoon Hangover. YouTube. 26 June 2014. 9 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703170617/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5WFBnbwl54. July 3, 2020.
  3. Web site: Toy . Daniel . The best graphic novels for readers of all ages, from kids to adults . . 12 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200911201847/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/cnn-underscored/best-graphic-novels/index.html . 11 September 2020 . 11 September 2020 . live.
  4. Web site: Foster . Elizabeth . Scholastic Entertainment develops creepy show . . 12 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201101140633/https://kidscreen.com/2020/09/30/scholastic-develops-creepy-new-show/ . 1 November 2020 . 30 September 2020 . live.
  5. Web site: Dead End: Paranormal Park--Official Trailer--Netflix After School. YouTube. Netflix. May 19, 2022. May 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220519154005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwaQcSQi6gs. 19 May 2022. bot: unknown.
  6. Web site: Dead End Paranormal Park Season 2 comes to Netflix this October - Gayming Magazine . 6 September 2022 .
  7. Web site: Perine . Aaron . January 13, 2013 . Netflix Cancels Another Fan-Favorite Animated Series . January 13, 2013 . . en . https://archive.today/20230113154019/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/netflix-cancels-dead-end-paranormal-park-animated-series/ . January 13, 2023 . live.
  8. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2 July 2020 . Hamish Steele's Deadendia Comic Jumps to Netflix . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703075215/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/hamish-steeles-deadendia-comic-jumps-to-netflix/ . 3 July 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Bleeding Cool.
  9. Web site: Steele . Hamish . 11 November 2018 . Hamish Steele's Deadendia Comic Jumps to Netflix . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201117233336/https://tapas.io/series/DeadEndia/info . 17 November 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Tapas.
  10. Web site: Hersko. Tyler. 2 July 2020. MTV Rebooting 'Clone High,' Netflix Orders 'DeadEndia' in Busy Day for Animated TV. IndieWire. 12 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116085237/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/mtv-rebooting-clone-high-1234571244/. 16 November 2020. live.
  11. Web site: Baron . Reuben . June 16, 2022 . Netflix's Dead End: Paranormal Park Is a Decent Cartoon with Groundbreaking Trans Representation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617080915/https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/netflix/dead-end-paranormal-park-review/ . June 17, 2022 . June 19, 2022 . Paste.
  12. Romano . Nick . 2 July 2020 . Netflix orders queer-friendly DeadEndia animated kids series with Beetlejuice musical star . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703141134/https://ew.com/tv/netflix-deadendia-animated-series/ . 3 July 2020 . 2 July 2020 . Entertainment Weekly.
  13. Web site: Sippell . Margeaux . 2 July 2020 . Netflix Orders 'DeadEndia' Animated Series Based on Hamish Steele's Graphic Novels . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702172504/https://www.thewrap.com/netflix-deadendia-animated-series-hamish-steele-graphic-novels/ . 2 July 2020 . 12 December 2020 . The Wrap.
  14. Steele . Hamish . Abbey White . 'Dead End: Paranormal Park' Creator Hamish Steele on Crafting the Animated YA LGBTQ-Inclusive Horror Series . June 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617034132/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-dead-end-paranormal-park-hamish-steele-interview-1235165517/ . June 17, 2022 . live . . June 16, 2022.
  15. Web site: Martin . Anne . 2 July 2020 . 'DeadEndia' animated series coming to Netflix . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702185541/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2020/07/02/DeadEndia-animated-series-coming-to-Netflix/2831593708005/ . 2 July 2020 . 12 December 2020 . UPI.
  16. Web site: Mitchell . Ben . 2 July 2020 . Hamish Steele's 'DeadEndia' series & cast info unveiled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806010805/https://www.skwigly.co.uk/deadendia-cast/ . 6 August 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Skwigly.
  17. Web site: Tran . Kenny . 2 July 2020 . Current and Upcoming Projects . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201213014001/http://www.kennyctran.com/projects . 2020-12-13 . 12 December 2020 . Kenny Tran's Official website.
  18. Web site: Milligan . Mercedes . 2 July 2020 . Quirky, Spooky, Hilarious World of 'DeadEndia' Coming to Netflix . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200708193814/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/quirky-spooky-hilarious-world-of-deadendia-coming-to-netflix/ . 8 July 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Animation Magazine.
  19. Web site: Kanter . Jane . 2 July 2020 . Netflix To Adapt Hamish Steele's 'DeadEndia' Graphic Novels Into 2D Animated Series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703012355/https://deadline.com/2020/07/deadendia-netflix-to-adapt-hamish-steeles-graphic-novels-into-series-1202975866/ . 3 July 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  20. Web site: Evans . Margaret . 21 August 2020 . Interview: DeadEndia Creator Hamish Steele on Bringing More LGBTQ+ Animation to Netflix . live . https://archive.today/20200823160026/https://www.themarysue.com/deadendia-netflix-hamish-steele-interview/ . 23 August 2020 . 17 August 2020 . The Mary Sue.
  21. Web site: . 6 July 2020 . Interview: Hamish Steele . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200807035721/https://ourculturemag.com/2020/07/06/interview-hamish-steele/ . 7 August 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Our Culture.
  22. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . 14 July 2020 . ICM Hires Jen Rudin As Animation & Voice-Overs Talent Agent . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200715131732/https://deadline.com/2020/07/icm-hires-jen-rudin-as-animation-voice-overs-talent-agent-1202985404/ . 15 July 2020 . 12 November 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  23. Web site: Dead End . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519134058/https://www.julianguidetti.com/untitled-listing/dead-end . 19 May 2022 . 19 May 2022 . Julian Guidetti . Season 1 premieres June 16, 2022 on Netflix.
  24. Web site: Hough . Q.V. . 8 January 2021 . Every New Show Releasing On Netflix In 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606023014/https://screenrant.com/netflix-2021-new-shows-release-dates/ . 6 June 2021 . 20 September 2021 . Screen Rant.
  25. Web site: Prange . Stephanie . 2 July 2020 . Netflix to Bow New Animated Series 'DeadEndia' in 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200914011216/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/netflix-to-bow-new-animated-series-deadendia-in-2021/ . 2020-09-14 . 2 July 2020 . Media Play News.
  26. Brightman . Alex . Alex Brightman . Sarah Jae Leiber . BWW Interview: Alex Brightman Dishes on Tonight's Episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU! . 20 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210131161449/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interview-Alex-Brightman-Dishes-on-Tonights-Episode-of-LAW-ORDER-SVU-20210114 . 31 January 2021 . live . Broadway World . Wisdom Digital Media . New York City . 14 January 2021 . On Deadendia (the animated project I'm working on), it's just me in the studio...I am also on Deadendia on Netflix which will premiere this coming fall..
  27. 1425754408520982528. hamishsteele. Every day I go to sleep thinking "i can't wait for you all to see it". 12 August 2021. 11 October 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812094201/https://twitter.com/hamishsteele/status/1425754408520982528. 12 August 2021. live. https://twitter.com/hamishsteele/status/1425754408520982528. Steele. Hamish.
  28. Web site: 2021 . DEAD END: PARANORMAL PARK Trademark Application . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20211026174809/https://trademarks.justia.com/970/84/dead-end-paranormal-97084676.html . 26 October 2021 . 26 October 2021 . .
  29. Web site: Rude . Mey . 19 May 2022 . Watch the Trailer For New Trans Cartoon Series Dead End: Paranormal Park . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519135003/https://www.out.com/television/2022/5/19/watch-trailer-new-trans-cartoon-dead-end-paranormal-park . 19 May 2022 . 19 May 2022 . Out.
  30. Web site: White. Abbey. How Comics Creators and LGBTQ Inclusion Are Fueling TV Animation's Young Adult Genre. The Hollywood Reporter. 4 July 2022. 6 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220704160146/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/comics-lgbtq-inclusion-tv-animation-young-adult-genre-1235160722/. 4 July 2022. live.
  31. Web site: Dead End Paranormal Park Season 2 comes to Netflix this October. Gayming Magazine. 6 September 2022. 18 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20221119030612/https://gaymingmag.com/2022/09/dead-end-paranormal-park-season-2-comes-to-netflix-this-october/. 19 November 2022. live.
  32. Web site: Steele. Hamish. Dead End: Paranormal Park's Hamish Steele Reflects on Adaptation and DeadEndia's Future. Gizmodo. 17 January 2023. 18 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117181650/https://gizmodo.com/dead-end-hamish-steele-adaptation-cancellation-netflix-1849996107. 17 January 2023. live.
  33. Web site: Dead End: Paranormal Park's Hamish Steele on queer animation and *that* musical episode. Opie. David. Digital Spy. June 16, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220619042356/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a40300139/dead-end-netflix-musical-queer-lgbtq/. June 19, 2022. live.
  34. Web site: White. Abbey. 'Dead End: Paranormal Park' Creator Hamish Steele on Crafting the Animated YA LGBTQ-Inclusive Horror Series. The Hollywood Reporter. June 16, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220617034132/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-dead-end-paranormal-park-hamish-steele-interview-1235165517/. June 17, 2022. live.
  35. Web site: Mitchell. Ben. Interview with Hamish Steele ('Dead End: Paranormal Park'). Skwigly. June 16, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220616085849/https://www.skwigly.co.uk/hamish-steele-dead-end-paranormal-park/. June 16, 2022. live.
  36. Web site: Baron. Reuben. Netflix's Dead End: Paranormal Park Is a Decent Cartoon with Groundbreaking Trans Representation. Paste. June 16, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220628004145/https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/netflix/dead-end-paranormal-park-review/. June 28, 2022. live.
  37. Web site: King. Jade. Dead End: Paranormal Park Is A Spooky, Fun, And Super Queer Adventure. TheGame. June 17, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220617185055/https://www.thegamer.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-netflix-queer-lgbt-representation/. June 17, 2022. live.
  38. Web site: Pulliam-Moore. Charles. Dead End: Paranormal Park's one of those fantastic queer cartoons you're always hearing about. The Verge. June 16, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220627040753/https://www.theverge.com/23171056/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix. June 27, 2022. live.
  39. Web site: Puchko. Kristy. 'Dead End: Paranormal Park' review: If the gay Babadook made a kids' show, it might look like this. Mashable. June 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220701194256/https://mashable.com/article/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix. July 1, 2022. live.
  40. Web site: Levitt. Barry. Netflix's 'Dead End' Is the Kind of Trans Representation We've Been Waiting For. The Daily Beast. June 17, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220703022610/https://www.thedailybeast.com/netflixs-dead-end-is-the-kind-of-trans-representation-weve-been-waiting-for. July 3, 2022. live.

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