Are you ready for your new favorite queer cartoon?
Now that The Owl House is almost done, queer animation fans will need another show to flock to. Netflix's Dead End: Paranormal Park just might be the show to answer that call -- and Out has the exclusive debut of its first joke-and-demon-filled trailer!
The series is based on the beloved horror-comedy graphic novels Deadendia, and follows the adventures of Barney (he/him), a trans teen voiced by trans actor Zach Barack.
Barney, along with Norma, and Pugsley the magical demon-possessed talking dog, as they "balance their summer jobs at the local theme park haunted house while battling the totally real supernatural forces that dwell within it."
"Together, with their guide to the underworld multiplane, a sardonic thousand-year-old demon named Courtney, they'll face zombie mascots, demonic game show hosts, sleep-sucking witches, and the scariest thing of all: their first crushes," the show's official synopsis reads.
"In a world that can seem increasingly hostile to queer people, I hope Dead End: Paranormal Park can be a beacon to young queer people that there are many people out here who have their back," Steele told Out. "We are struggling through a period of relentless transphobic moral panicking around the world. Creating a show that will be seen globally on Netflix with a trans lead character played fantastically by Zach Barack and a crew of LGBTQIA+ talent feels amazing. It has been a dream come true and more than I could have ever imagined back when I started the original webcomics in 2014. Our show is about the joy of being queer, of finding your true people in a world that wasn't always made with you in mind."
The show joins other groundbreaking queer kids and family animation at Netflix like Ridley Jones, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and the upcoming Nimona movie.
The trailer gives us a great look at the show, which takes place mostly at a theme park haunted house that is actually haunted by demons. The cast features Barney, a chubby and queer trans teen with blue hair, his friend Norma (who seems to have a queer relationship herself with another girl), and a whole slew of wise-cracking demons.
The show doesn't just feature queer and trans characters, though, it addresses the character's identities through important storylines. It takes a reality-based approach to trans representation, even in this fantasy horror show.
Apart from Barack, the show also stars Kody Kavitha, Emily Osment, Alex Brightman, Clinton Leupp aka Miss Coco Peru, Kenny Tran, and Kathreen Khavari. It will also feature some amazing queer and trans guest stars like Alan Cumming, Angelica Ross, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, C Nelson, Kemah Bob, Sam Jay, Taylor "Effy" Gibson, Tom Lenk, and Z Infante.
Check out the trailer below!
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