I Landed An Interview With Paul Dini!

[WBArchivist]

Today I met with Paul Dini at the Wizard World, and without my initiation, he offered to do an phone interview! He gave me his agent's number, and I plan to do the interview within the month.

SOOOOO......
Who wants to ask Paul Dini a question?!!

[Jowy Blight]

Ask him if he's going to move BB to a network that will treat it with respect. Also if the Uncut ROTJ will be on DVD or VHS, or both.

[James Harvey]

Congratulations, WBA! This is great news to hear! I'm eager to here how this'll all turn out.

[DR. BELCH]

--the same question I ask any creative genius: what inspires him, and who gave him his start in the business? Plus some tips for those looking to get into the biz....

[Calhoun07]

I am really interested in whatever he can spill on the future direct to video projects he is working on!

[The Mad Hatter]

Well....

Ask him (if it's not too early) for any plot details on the new Batman direct-to-video episodes coming out.

Ask him if he's involved at all with the new episodes of Clerks:TAS we're supposedly getting.

And ask him if logistics were no object, which established character (from comics, cartoons, tv... anywhere) he'd like to re-invent for the 21st century, like he did with Batman in the 90s.

[Vin]

1. When will the new videos take place? After JL, during JL, before JL, etc.?

2. Would he ever consider releasing the final BB episode, Unmasked, on tape w/ ROTJ or possibly expanding it into a movie?

3. Do you consider BB the actual future of Batman:TAS or Elseworlds?

4. How long will each new Batman movie be?


THANKS ARCHIE! You're the man!

[Vin]

5. Would he consider expanding ROTJ uncut on VHS to include deleted scenes?

[Matthew Hunter]

Well, I suppose I'd ask him these (since the Return Of the Joker uncut version has been asked about):

1. "Will there ever be more episodes of the Batman and Superman animated series? Those are some of the best-written animated series I have ever seen."

2. "There was a recent comics miniseries called 'Superman and Bugs Bunny', in which the Justice League and the Looney Tunes' dimensions were crossed and the groups met. It was really creative, I wonder if your crew on the Justice League series would ever consider adapting the concept as an epidsode?"

3. "The villains: will the Scarecrow be involved in the new Justice League like he was in the original Superfriends? I enjoyed the 'new look' he was given for the later Batman episodes, with the hangman's noose. Also, will the Joker still have pet hyenas and his sidekick, Harley Quinn?"

-Matthew

[I.R Joey]

Ask him if he plans to pitch and or write any stories for the new JLA cartoon in the future.

[Craig Crumpton]

Originally posted by Matthew Hunter
Well, I suppose I'd ask him these (since the Return Of the Joker uncut version has been asked about):

3. "The villains: will the Scarecrow be involved in the new Justice League like he was in the original Superfriends? I enjoyed the 'new look' he was given for the later Batman episodes, with the hangman's noose. Also, will the Joker still have pet hyenas and his sidekick, Harley Quinn?"

-Matthew

I would recommend avoiding asking Dini any questions about Justice League. He's repeatedly stated that he's not involved with the series. Dini told me himself in San Diego that he wants to get away from Superheroes for a while - he's burned out on them. I have a blurb from Paul that I got in San Diego just for Toon Zone, which I'll try to get up on the news page in the next few days.

As for me, one of the most faithful Dini fans around, I've pretty much had the opportunity to ask Paul in person all the questions I've had for him. So congrats, Archie. Have fun with it.

And if you need some photos of Dini to accompany your interview when it's published, I have quite a few - including 2 one-of-a-kind originals that Paul made just for me. Just be sure to give me some advance notice to get them to you since I won't be around TZ much in the upcoming months.

[The Mad Hatter]

What Gookie said is true... we should probably keep our DC superhero questions to a minimum, and instead concentrate on seeing what the guy is actively doing nowadays.

[Craig Crumpton]

Oh, and to save you one question at least - Dini says he finished the script for "Million Dollar Heroes," but unfortunately, the project has been shelved.

And as far as some additional info on Dini's upcoming projects, if you wanna ask about them - he's going to be working on some movie scripts for WB - he's not sure what they'll be yet - something along the lines of a comedy or action flick (or both), but no superheroes. Otherwise, he'll be doing more Jingle Belle stories for Oni Press, with more plans for fun stuff on jinglebelle.com coming later this year. He and Hilary Bader also wrote the whole new season of webisodes on GothamGirls.com which began airing on the site just in the past few weeks.

And even though he's not involved with Justice League, he does fully support the show though, and encourages all BTAS/TNBA/STAS/BB fans to watch it.

I'm going to post this on the news page later today or tomorrow, since I finally found which audio cassette I had Dini's blurb on.

[James Harvey]

I am interested to see what comes out of your interview, Archie. I'd like to here how much more Jingle Belle stuff he'll be doing in the near future.

[Nftnat]

Well, as an historian, I'd be interested in his previous career, how he & Ruegger got from the outhouse (Filmation) to the penthouse (WBA), going from the comedy of TTA & A! to running the first action schtuff (& yes, I'm aware that BTAS came before A!), that sort of thing. And something I've been curious about, & I've been kicking myself for not submitting this when I had the chance re. Kevin's interviews with Ken Boyer & Joe Alaskey over on the ml: just who is Audu Paden? Male or female? (please forgive my ignorance)

[Craig Crumpton]

Originally posted by Nftnat
Well, as an historian, I'd be interested in his previous career, how he & Ruegger got from the outhouse (Filmation) to the penthouse (WBA), going from the comedy of TTA & A! to running the first action schtuff (& yes, I'm aware that BTAS came before A!), that sort of thing. And something I've been curious about, & I've been kicking myself for not submitting this when I had the chance re. Kevin's interviews with Ken Boyer & Joe Alaskey over on the ml: just who is Audu Paden? Male or female? (please forgive my ignorance)

There was an interview with Dini in Wizard a year or two ago that covered some of his background, touching on his work with Filmation. But that mag's packed away back in Memphis and I'm 2.5 hours away. Archie, if you can get ahold of that interview, it might help you get better questions to ask him (to cover what Wizard didn't).

As for Audu - he's male. I met him in San Diego and got to chat with him for a few minutes after the "Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles" panel, which he either produced or directed (maybe both, I forget). I've got a photo of him as well which I'll try to get scanned to include as part of my con report, whenever I get the time to finish writing it all (and have access to a scanner again). I've just been posting it in bits. Also got to meet P&TB writer Earl Kress for the second time - he's a real nice guy, but very quiet. I have photos of him to share as well, so fans can finally have faces to put with the names.

[WBArchivist]

I looked over an interview w/ Paul at the Critical Eye, so I'll write up a bio on him to put up in front of the interview.

To be honest, I think I could very well anwer most of the questions people as asking here, but I'll go though and use the ones that I think would be most fitting. :D

Keep 'em coming, folks!

[Craig Crumpton]

Originally posted by WBArchivist
I looked over an interview w/ Paul at the Critical Eye, so I'll write up a bio on him to put up in front of the interview.

Every Dini article/interview I've ever seen on the web, I've collected here:

http://dmoz.org/Arts/Animation/Writers/Dini,_Paul/

Might be of some help to you in writing a bio for him.

[clark kent]

1. Ask him why is the batman beyond live action movie, being put on hold?

2. Is he going to clear things up on what happened to Batman, Nightwing and Batgirl???(the love triangle) We really need to see what happend to Dick Grayson.

[Nftnat]

Hold on, WBA. Questions are coming, because I'm about to put the word out on the TTAFF ml. Come tho think of it, Ill wait for your okkay before I send it out, @ least 'til tomorrow.

[Bird Boy]

An interview w/ Mr. Dini..woo..can't wait for that one! :)

I'd probably just ask him if he's working on any new Animated Comics. I read the Batman & Robin Adventures Annual (w/ Phantasm) yesterday..and I must say..it kicked. I'd love it if he did more of those!! A nice..big..thick comic, animated style, written by him.....it's GOTTA be good! :)

-BB

[toymank]

Ask him more about the new animated movies that are straight-to-video, and ask him about anything newest in the animated style stuff, oh, and if you can, ask him to e-mail: toymank@hotmail.com

:D

Oh, and, although he may not know, ask him if there will be a site like Batman and Superman have

[WBArchivist]

Go for it. I think I'll make the call on thurday or friday - wouldn't it be awful if they wouldn't let me set up an appointment after all this hype?! Ahh!

I'm confident it will happen.

[Nftnat]

All-righty, then. Bombs away!

[James Harvey]

I doubt they'd turn ya down! He said he'd let you do it - so be BETTER!!

[DisneyBoy]

I have a few questions that I would love to have answered. With all of this talk of special DVD's and/or videos featuring new animated Batman Adventures and/or team ups, I find myself hearing of episodes and projects that I never knew exsisted! Could please you ask him if the once considered Catwoman spin-off series (see the book Batman: Animated for Timm's sketches of her new costume) will ever be developped into a direct-to-video release or comic book series. I would also appreciate it if he would clarify the rumours of the animated(?) Batman team-up project (Bats with Wonder Woman, Zatanna, Green Arrow, Plastic Man), the Joker+Bane team up episode (will it be produced, etc) and the rumours of a direct-to-video animated film that ties up plot threads of TNBA. I know all of us are very excited, but slightly confused as to what's actually happening.
I would also love for him to tell us where things stand with the long rumoured "Harley and Ivy" Comic Mini-series he and Bruce Timm were said to be working on.
I realize that he probably would be too busy to be able to help, but I would be eternally greatful to you if you would ask him what the chances are of him ever writing a few issues of Batman: Gotham Adventures. The quality of the book has really gone down and I hear it could even be cancelled. Over the years, this book has become a critical success and a treasure to me and thousands of others. I wish there was some way he could step in to write a few issues (maybe #50?) or help return it to it's former glory. The Batman Adventures deserves more that to be axed after ten years and 100+ tales because of one mediocre production team. Please, please, please (I'm begging you!) ask him if there is anything he can do, would do, or if there's anything we can do to save this comic!
Finally, I have always wondered what he thought about Bruce and Selina's future. Who does Paul Dini think is Bruce's true love? Does he think that Bruce and Selina could end up together? I think they are meant to be (after a little therapy:) Thanks for reading this long message! I hope and pray these long unanswered questions of mine are laid to rest!

[Craig Crumpton]

Originally posted by toymank
Ask him more about the new animated movies that are straight-to-video, and ask him about anything newest in the animated style stuff, oh, and if you can, ask him to e-mail: toymank@hotmail.com

Paul told me he has a secretary answer his e-mail who also responds on his behalf. Some messages he's alerted to and replies personally, but that's not often. I've been fortunate that Paul's answered every e-mail I've ever sent him, but 1, and that's out of some 2 dozen times. Paul seems to have a real appreciation for fans who don't ask for insider info all the time, and especially likes to answer questions which don't relate specifically to his work (like movies he enjoys, his fave comics, influences, hobbies, etc). [Hint! Hint!] I do know he enjoys wildlife photography, taxidermy, and researching animals/mammals and such.

There is one question I've never asked Paul, which would be along this line of a non-work related question -- sortuva 3-parter: What kind of books does he like to read? Favorite authors? Favorite book?

[James Harvey]

I agree with Gookie there. The best way to come off to a creator is to not hound them for insider news. I've had the pleasure of getting to know some of the people behind the WB team. Didja know Stan Berkowitz has a Journalism degree? During an interview I was doing with him we got real off-topic and just started talkin'. The people on the show are great people.

[toymank]

I mean this: I wasn't going to hound him, I was going to talk about stuff like Gookie said, like at the closest, it'll be "what comics do you like?" Thats probably the closest thing related to it that I will ask, i just plain want to talk to him, and, no offense, you guys shouldn't have gotten ahead when Ididn't even explain anything, none the less, say anything

[WBArchivist]

No one is criticizing you - Gookie just brings up the point that the best way to connect with the guy is to ask him questions that he doesn't answer everyday (or for that matter, aviods answering). Questions about his favorite books and the like would be my best bet.

[Craig Crumpton]

Originally posted by toymank
I mean this: I wasn't going to hound him, I was going to talk about stuff like Gookie said, like at the closest, it'll be "what comics do you like?" Thats probably the closest thing related to it that I will ask, i just plain want to talk to him, and, no offense, you guys shouldn't have gotten ahead when Ididn't even explain anything, none the less, say anything

Ditto what Archie said - that's what I meant. I didnt' mean to seem like I was criticizing you.

[toymank]

Ok, Im sorry back!