Originally published at: https://geektherapy.org/bone-parish-ghosts-grief-gangs/
Author: Max Gersten Psy.D
Looking for your next complete comic series to jump into at San Diego Comic‑Con (July 24–27, 2025)? Bone Parish Complete Collection sets the mood! And writer and creator Cullen Bunn is also at SDCC this year to introduce his new horror thriller.
Bone Parish Review
Bone Parish is an excellent blend of Southern Gothic horror and Mafia crime family stories. The book follows the Winters family as they create a new drug called Ash, made literally from human remains, which allows users to experience the life of the deceased they’ve ingested. Cullen Bunn crafts a compelling narrative, as the Winters family struggles to expand their drug empire while facing threats from cartels and drug kingpins, all while dealing with their own grief and the challenge of letting go. The artwork by Jonas Scharf is suitably gloomy and macabre, capturing the horror in vivid, gory detail. In the quieter moments of the story, Scharf’s attention to character expressions provides readers with deep insights into the characters’ thoughts and emotions.
Therapeutic Interventions: Muddying up Life’s Perspective with Ash
On a deeper level, Bone Parish explores our struggles to live in the present and our reliance on substances or fantasies as a form of escape. In today’s age of social media and influencers, it’s easy to look at the lives of others with envy. A fruitful discussion could center around the accuracy of social media and how we present ourselves to the world. In Bone Parish, every time Ash is used, the consumer experiences a high by reliving a positive moment in the life of the deceased. Mundane or negative moments are never shown. Having conversations with clients, especially young people, about the artificial nature of social media and the way we curate our lives online can be incredibly helpful in improving mental health. For example, we could explore what’s not shown in a TikTok or Instagram post. If an influencer shares a trip to an exotic destination, we might explore whether they flew economy, suffered food poisoning, or had their luggage lost. The full picture is rarely shared.
When we are feeling depressed, angry, or upset, our minds often distort our present reality. This can lead to cognitive distortions, and I believe the Ash in Bone Parish mirrors the Holy Trinity of Regret: Could’ve, Should’ve, and Would’ve. As we think about how our lives might have turned out differently (if I could’ve gotten the promotion, or I would’ve married my partner when I had the chance, or if I should’ve gone to trade school) we escape from our current reality and prevent ourselves from engaging with our situation in any truly productive way. These cognitive distortions trap us in cycles of regret, stopping us from problem-solving, connecting with others, and appreciating the positives in our lives. Being aware of these distortions is an important first step toward breaking free from them. In therapy, we can help clients recognize when these words infiltrate their thoughts and encourage them to pause and reframe them in a more accurate, productive way. If the hypotheticals are too tempting to resist, we can explore them in a practical manner by weighing the positives and negatives of the fantasy lives we imagine for ourselves. For example, sure, it might be great to have that promotion and live in a mansion, but the long hours could hurt my relationships, and I might lose time for hobbies or self-care. The Ash in these stories is physical, but it also serves as a powerful metaphor for the way we try to escape from our problems.
While the Winters family peddles Ash as a means of escaping the monotony or hardships of life, they personally use it as a way to reconnect with their deceased loved ones, helping them cope with their grief. The matriarch of the family often has long conversations with her late husband, reflecting on their love and discussing major decisions regarding the family and the business. Grieving the loss of a loved one is a long and challenging process, often made more difficult when we need their guidance the most. In therapy, it can be helpful to discuss memories of the client’s loved one, allowing the client to feel more connected to them. Alternatively, having the client assume the persona of their loved one and offer advice or suggestions on how to navigate a situation can bring comfort and insight.
SDCC Panel, Signing & Pop‑Up Info
Cullen Bunn will be appearing at the Ignition Press Room (643 G Street, Gaslamp District) from Thursday to Sunday, with schedule details to come!
There you’ll be able to:
- Pick up Deluge: The Cold Open, Bunn’s new horror series from Ignition Press.
- Get exclusive merchandise, including shirts, pins, facemasks, and more!
- Meet Cullen Bunn for scheduled signings—times should be announced soon!
Grab a copy at Comic‑Con or your local retailer, then join us in therapy-themed discussions: How do we escape our grief and regrets without Ash or social‑media illusions? Let’s keep the conversation going—share your thoughts and donate to help Geek Therapy keep doing this work!