Our modern society offers an open door invitation for scrutinizing the sights and scenarios that come across our various screens. From climate change, to border security and even voter fraud, everything is subject to skepticism. Anyone wishing to treat this condition may want to book a visit to Paranoid Gardens. A stay at Dark Horse Comics new treatment center is just what the doctor ordered to cure all your delusions.
Paranoid Gardens #4
Story: Gerard Way; Shaun Simon
Art: Chris Weston
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Paranoid Gardens, from writers Gerard Way and Shaun Simon, centers around a rehabilitation/nursing facility of the same name. However the characters in the book, from the staff to those in their care, look a little different than what one might normally expect to encounter at such a location. An example of this is Grace, artist Christ Weston’s head nurse looks more like a resident alien than a resident of planet Earth. Meanwhile, the building and surrounding grounds seem to have a life all its own. And up until issue #4 Grace was responsible for ensuring the location remained healthy and hospitable. But after several disturbing events, which he orchestrated, Dr. Zerc’s schemes have him in charge of making sure the gardens remain in tip top shape. Talk about bad medicine.
The condition of one’s charges should be the core concern of any caregiver. We typically only associate the Hippocratic Oath with hospitals and medical facilities, but its tenets extend beyond those walls. It’s safe to say you may expect it to operate at locations like a daycare, schools or even a church. Actually, anywhere that individuals enter with the expectation of receiving treatment or provisions carries the burden of doing so while also “doing no harm”. For much of this series one of Paranoid Gardens’ Registered Nurses’s Louise “Loo” Martinez was under the impression she was failing at that task.
Suffering from memory loss, the writers imply Loo has as much in common with her patients as she does with the rest of Paranoid Gardens’ staff. In fact, considering the paranormal, St. Elsewhere vibe of the ward, that could still be the case. A new admittance begins to trigger Loo’s memories, which Dave Stewart introduces in contrast to the series usual colorful tones. The black and white flashbacks suggest something occurred four months ago that brought her to Paranoid Gardens. Maybe not one where she was asked to do no harm. Instead, Loo seems to carry the guilt of not doing enough for those she swore to protect. Unfortunately before she can learn more a colorful butterfly catches her attention and returns her to reality.
After issue #4, the story Way and Simon administer inside Paranoid Gardens feels like American McGhee’s Alice video game. A tale of a young woman whose mind is warped due to a tragedy. This allows people in power to spin the narrative, using it for their own political or financial benefit. Like bitter roots strangling the seeds the farmer sowed along the path.
Quite contrary, huh Mary?
Score: 8.5