Paul is Dead. How many Beatles fans know that story? Paul McCartney died at the height of Beatlemania and was replaced with a copy. And Paola Baron explores that idea in Paul is Dead, a speculation fiction graphic novel that causes questions of fame, reality, and self to have more questions than answers.
I do not want to know what Baron or illustrator Ernesto Carbonetti were smoking when they created this realistically abstract, realistic-surrealism book, because John Lennon was not the only one having an LSD trip! Basing the plot on real events, imagined events and some events in between (the hanging of Lennon upside down from the ceiling was thought of, but never executed), you see the Beatles in an imagination world. A world where Paul is hallucinated into a giant blue hippo and John becomes the walrus. But at the same time, you see the real-world cast of characters as their personalities unfold (focusing mostly on Lennon) as they learn and deal with the idea Paul McCartney has been killed in a car crash. There is the side story of a possible copy Paul being groomed to take over. But then again, is it all a publicity stunt? Is it a joke? Can it be true? Did Paul take his own life? Are things really as they seem?
Pro tip: Just take everything with a grain of salt and shot of tequila. You cannot take anything serious. But it is a serious concept and if you look at it as the pitfalls of being famous, and not as THE BEATLES it can make more sense, or you can be less biased in your thinking. The ideas of fame, being yourself and “normal” are the themes of the work.
And speaking of work, the artwork is really the important part for me. I mean, the text/story is great, but to see how Carbonetti interprets things is what made it for me. They are, like the text, both abstract and real. They are not fully fleshed out, being fuzzy or blurry in some areas, yet, you know what the images are supposed to be. Of course, sometimes the Fab Four seem to be caricatures with such things likes Ringo’s face too long and replacement Paul’s lips too large and pouty. Yet, if you know the people, there is no question who is who. There is one tool used that helps keep you on your toes and that is color or lack of. The psychedelic colors and images are muted, but still bold. And the use of black and white with Paul’s getting ready or being created, separates the two concepts.
A few extras are included at the end as well as a cast of characters starting things, allowing this to be enjoyed on multiple levels. Some images are not for the sensitive or young reader. Even teens might be too young for it. Just know your reader, but I lean towards adults on this one.