Hiya all!
Here'sa transcript of a chat session me and a bunch of other luck fans
had with Paul Dini!!! My questions are the ones from Harley_Quinn69! woo
hoo!
TVGOer is the
moderator and TVG_Star is Dini! Enjoy it!
TVGOer says,
"Welcome everyone....tonight's guest is Paul Dini......" the producer of
the BATMAN/SUPERMAN adventures ...every weekday and saturday morning on
the WB!"
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #37 from ZENtertainment: When will new episodes of BATMAN/SUPERMAN
begin airing?
TVG_Star says, "Good question.
First new episode will air on the 25th. It's a Batman episode called Mean
Season. And it introduces a new villainess called Calendar Girl."
TVG_Star says, "Her voice
is by Sela Ward of Sisters."
TVG_Star says, "The week after
that, on May 2, the WB will be running a special Super Girl morning, and
we will introduce Super Girl in a special one hour Super Man episode on
the Batman Superman Adventures."
TVG_Star says, "And on May
9 a Batman season finale called the Demon Within, which guest stars Jack
Kirby's comic creation, The Demon."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #42 from RobbD2: Will Etrigan be featured as more of a villain
or a balance in between a villain and a hero?
TVG_Star says, "Both. In this
episode he will be both villain and allie. The voice of both Etrigan and
his alter-ego Jason Blood will be by Titantic's BIlly Zane.
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #40 from Bimbette18: What is your favortie character? Harley Quinn?
TVG_Star says, "Let's see. I like Harley an awful lot. I guess that's obvious
as she shows up in so many of the things I write. However, without Batman
there would be no Joker or Harley so I guess, the guy in the cape nudges
her out by just a bit."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #61 from Marcuswai: Any more Stories from You and Bruce Timm in
DC or comics in general?
TVG_Star says, "Yes! Later
this year a three part mini series titled Harley and Ivy will be coming
out from DC Comics. It's three issues with those wackie girls in all sorts
of trouble."
TVG_Star says, "Bruce has
just finished the pencils and they are spectacular!"
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #33 from Gunmedown: Hi Tell me more about Batman Tomorrow.
TVG_Star says, "Batman Tomorrow
is a new series that will debut on Kids WB this November. At an unspecified
in the next century, Bruce Wayne has hung up the Batman costume and is
now more or less a recluse."
TVG_Star says, "A young man
named Terry McGinnis discovers Bruce's secret past and joining with him
becomes the next hero to wear the costume of Batman."
TVG_Star says, "Bruce and
Terry are reluctant allies, but as the season progresses we hope to show
a bond growing between them."
TVG_Star says, "Gotham City
will look completely different from its present form, not completely futuristic,
but with many new surprising touches."
TVG_Star says, "There will
also be many new villains."
TVG_Star says, "And new challenges."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #41 from Bimbette18: Why have you eliminated the yellow from Batman's
costume?
TVG_Star says, "When the WB
gave us the pickup for more new Batman episodes, Bruce Timm felt he simply
did not want to redo the show exactly as we had done it on Fox."
TVG_Star says, "He wanted
to change the characters' design somewhat, partially to streamline the
look and partially to show that some time had passed between the two series."
TVG_Star says, "In re-thinking
Batman as a grimmer character, Bruce decided to eliminate all bright colors
from his costume."
TVG_Star says, "Batman's current
look harkens back to his original look from the comics."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #86 from JckNapier: Will Ra's Al Ghul show up?
TVG_Star says, "Yes."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #97 from Gul_Khaish: What about appearances by the rest of the
DC Universe? GL and all.
TVG_Star says, "Green Latern
is set for an appearance next season with Superman. Other guest star characters
include the Legion of Superheroes and possibly Captain Marvel."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #98 from Angelique_666: Any plans for a new "wave" of villains
on Batman - Nocturna, CAVALIER, the General?
TVG_Star says, "Let's see,
none of those three will appear in the series next season. However, we
are bringing in one of the comic book villains named Fire Bug. And we are
doing a new take on Catman, although he will not be going by that name."
TVG_Star says, "A few new
villains will appear as well, including Calendar Girl, a mad geneticist
called Farmer Brown (our weirdest villain ever!), and a mysterious vigilante
called The Judge.
TVG_Star says, "Also appearing
from the comics is a creation of Bruce's and mine named Roxy Rocket, who
will make things tough for both Batman and Superman in various episodes."
TVG_Star says, "Yes, lots."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #103 from Harley_Quinn69: Mistah Dini, will Andrea Beaumont/Phantasm
be returning anytime soon?
TVG_Star says, "No, sorry."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #112 from Harley_Quinn69: Mistah Dini,Will you be writing many
more comics for the New Gotham Adventures?
TVG_Star says, "I don't know.
I'm not at this point, but I don't want to rule anything out. I'm busy
with other comicbook and publishing projects at the moment, and have kind
of filled by plate for the immediate future.
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #116 from Ggood1992: When is the Batman Animated book you're writing
due out?
TVG_Star says, "Batman Animated
is targeted to hit the shelves the first week of October. Chip Kidd has
outdone himself selecting some of the most powerful pre-production images
of the original Batman series."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #74 from BrianC11: Is "Mad Love" really going to be an episode?
TVG_Star says, "Yes. It'll
be on sometime in the fall. The voice work by Mark Hammil and especially
Arleen Sorkin is some of the best in the series."
TVG_Star says, "The tape made
me cry when I heard it. It's incredible."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #109 from Domnogin: What was the first TV animation you worked?
TVG_Star says, "I don't remember
that far back...Hmm, let's see...I remember...It was for an episode of
Mighty Mouse (not the cool John K. version, but the sucky one done by Filmation
in 1980) and I wrote it while I was still a sophomore in college."
TVG_Star says, "I had the
opportunity to come out and do some writing for that animation studio and
put school on hold for 10 months while I went out and tried to make it
as a TV writer."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #121 from Tooneman: Will Supes and Bats be getting along likie
good little child the next time??
TVG_Star says, "Ha! No."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #146 from EGM_: Can you comment on any future video/feature releases
for other DC characters (in the vein of Sub Zero)?
TVG_Star says, "At this point
there are no current plans to do any more direct to video DC Superheroe
adventures. That's not to rule out there will never be any more, it's just
Warners hasn't talked about another one for the immediate future."
TVG_Star says, "However, with
Subzero selling so well, it's always a possibility."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #34 from ZENtertainment: Can you say anything about possible future
DC animates series, such as NEW GODS, JLA, LEGION, etc..?
TVG_Star says, "We are always
looking at the possibility of doing another DC based series. However, as
the network's decision is predictated largely on what is on live action
feature developement,"
TVG_Star says, "it is unlikely
any of those characters or teams will have an animated series of their
own without either a live feature or live prime time series to back it
up.
TVG_Star says, "That's just
the way of business. Sorry."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #153 from EGM_: Will we see more episodes about the transition
from the Adventures of Batman
TVG_Star says, "Yes. Some
of that story has already been told in the Batman Adventures: The Lost
Years DC Miniseries."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #159 from RiddlerWB: Will there be a Riddler episode next season??
TVG_Star says, "Riddler makes
trouble for Batman in at least three episodes."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #168 from EGM_: Any plans to dip into the "Elseworlds" genre for
Batman? Superman? (aside from Brave New Metropolis)
TVG_Star says, "To a degree
we are thinking of Batman Tomorrow as a What If story of Batman's future.
Without ever saying it, this is a possible way his future could turn out.
But not necessarily the only way."
TVG_Star says, "As for strict
Elseworld stories with Batman as a pirate or cowboy or caveman or something,
no, we are not going to do them."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #175 from JckNapier: When will the alleged Batman 3-part origin
story air?
TVG_Star says, "Sorry, there's
no such thing."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #174 from Marcuswai: How many episodes do you write each season?
TVG_Star says, "I try to write
at least three or four myself, usually team up with Alan Burnett for another
one or two, and then sort of kibbitz on various others. To a degree I work
on all of the stories. But that's the way our writing staff works."
TVG_Star says, "I try to write
at least three or four myself, usually team up with Alan Burnett for another
one or two, and then sort of kibbitz on various others. To a degree I work
on all of the stories. But that's the way our writing staff works."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #182 from EGM_: Can you tell us about the episodes "Old Wounds"
and "Legends of the Dark Knight" for next year?
TVG_Star says, "Sure. Old
Wounds is the story of what happened after Dick Grayson left Batman, and
how Batgirl came to be a member of the team. It's recounted from Nightwing's
point of view some years later."
TVG_Star says, "Legends of
the Dark Night is an episodic story showing three different kids' versions
of how they picture Batman."
TVG_Star says, "The episode
is animated in three different styles. One kid imagines Batman as a jolly
hero, and sees him in the classic Dick Sprang style."
TVG_Star says, "Another kid
sees Batman as a darker, older, grittier vigilante, and that's animated
in Frank Miller's style."
TVG_Star says, "It'll be cool."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #151 from Dotsandloops: If there is to be a JLA series, what would
the line-up be?
TVG_Star says, "Zatanna and
a bunch of other clods. She's really the only one I care about. Sorry!"
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #108 from Chaplin9: what is the relationship of women to batman/bruce
wayne?
TVG_Star says, "Depends on
the woman. Catwoman is attracted to both Bruce and Batman. And he's attracted
to her in both her identities."
TVG_Star says, "However, the
fact that she is a criminal makes it awfully hard for him to get close
to her.
TVG_Star says, "He's even
more attracted to Talia, but again, the fact that her Daddy wants Batman
dead makes it hard for them to get together."
TVG_Star says, "In general,
Bruce is attracted to all sorts of women. However, his crusade as Batman
makes it impossible for him to consider a permanent relationship with any
of them."
TVG_Star says, "He is sorely
tempted at times, but so far has pushed that to the back of his mind."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #206 from Fanofsupes: What's going to happen in next season's
Superman episodes?
TVG_Star says, "More Supergirl,
more Darkseid, more Mxy, and a few new villains. The one we are happiest
with is a volatile femme fatale named Volcana."
TVG_Star says, "Her voice
is supplied by Peri Gilpin of Fraser."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #183 from larrymguest_3d8d7001: When will the video release of
WORLD'S FINEST be out?
TVG_Star says, "It's been
set for the middle of August, I think the 13th, however, that could change."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #218 from EGM_: Do you have any particular comics you enjoy currently?
TVG_Star says, "Although I
do still enjoy mainstream superheroes, as a reader my heart has always
been with black and white undergrounds and independent comics."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #209 from JckNapier: Any adaptions of Son of the Demon in the
works?
TVG_Star says, "I really like
anything by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer who also write for us on Superman."
TVG_Star says, "I also like
Straight Bullets by David Lapham. Bone by Jeff Smith. Anything by R. Crum,
Jim Woodring's comics, and I'll always pick up a reprint of Uncle Scrooge."
TVG_Star says, "As far as
Superheroe stuff goes, I try to keep up with all the Batman and Superman
titles. Catch up with the JLA from time to time. And whatever else I see
at the newstand that just happens to look cool."
TVG_Star says, "No. We're not going
to pursue that character thread between Batman Ras al Ghul."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #221 from JckNapier: What, if any, cuts will be made when Sub
Zero airs on May 16th?
TVG_Star says, "I don't have
the official list, though based on a conversation today with Subzero writer/producer
Randy Rogel, he said they were going to trim out a few seconds of overly
violent action and tone down the idea that Dick and Babs were spending
the night ..."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #230 from Tooneman: Will you be doing an episode where Supes gets
his new super powers and new costume???
TVG_Star says, "What new powers
and new costume?"
TVG_Star says, "They came
and went."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #180 from Angelique_666: Hear anything about Batman 5?
TVG_Star says, "Yeah, I'm
writing it. (Not really, but that was the heavy buzz on the Internet a
few weeks ago). I'm not involved with the picture in any way."
TVG_Star says, "In fact, it'll
be some years before or if they decide to make a Batman 5."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #223 from EGM_: So can you give us the story behind the debut
of 'Mutant Texas?' Any future plans for it?
TVG_Star says, "Yes, Mutant
Texas is a new comic book that I am working on that will appear later this
year. The first installment will be in Sarah Dyer's, Action Girl Comics,
sometime late this summer."
TVG_Star says, "I am currently
at work on the first issue which will show up either in November or December."
TVG_Star says, "I'd say more
but I'm still writing it. I'm having loads of fun with it though. I will
say the art work is by Barry Caldwell, a tremendous cartoonist and one
of the finest talents I've ever worked with in animation."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #244 from RiddlerWB: What is the project you are working on with
Alex Ross?? Can you say??
TVG_Star says, "Yes. I am
currently working with Alex Ross on a Superman project called "Peace on
Earth". It's a fully painted graphic novel focusing on Superman in a slightly
more realistic context then we have seen him before."
TVG_Star says, "It's a very
moving story and one that I think a lot of people will relate to. It wil
be out late this year, probably early December."
TVG_Star says, "I've seen
Alex's first paintings, and they are stunning."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #234 from Chip1138: Are you trying to get Wonder Woman on STAS
somehow?
TVG_Star says, "Not at the present,
but we don't rule it out."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #242 from Larry_M_21: When will the Mr. Miracle episode of Superman
air?
TVG_Star says, "We had a few
stories in the works with Mr. Miracle, however we have put them on hold
for the time being.
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #80 from Tooneman: Can we expect to see a futuristic Joker in
the future??
TVG_Star says, "Not as such,
but his influence is felt in the future."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #255 from Chip1138: Are you living a dream of some sorts?
TVG_Star says, "If you are
asking, am I delusional, the answer is probably yes. For what it's worth
though, I'm having fun!"
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #245 from AlphaTriguest_30b97425: why did you go with a more Golden
Age Mxy than the more modern version?
TVG_Star says, "Bruce and
I looked at all the versions of Mxy and while the more current one was
the one we had grown up with, there was something about that old Elmer
Fudd version that just appealed to us as an animated cartoon character.
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #46 from Marcuswai: Are Bruce Timm and Paul going to be at Wondercon
Saturday?
TVG_Star says, "Yep and we'll
bring a new episode with us."
TVG_Star says, "I'm not quite
sure what we're bringing, but it'll be cool."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #72 from Angelique_666: I'm interested in doing cartoon voiceovers
and writing for cartoons. Any advice?
TVG_Star says, "Dear Angel-Devil,
to do voices, you're going to have to get a demo tape produced. The advice
I give everybody is to put about three to five minutes worth of your best
voices on a tape, then send it off to an agent in LA who specializes in
voice talent."
TVG_Star says, "As far as
writing, study the shows you like, and rite up a spec episode as a sample
to show an agent."
TVG_Star says, "Try to come
up with a different angle or a story that comes out of the recurring characters'
personalities rather than a plot contrivance."
TVG_Star says, "(A big crime
caper or the introduction of a new character that everyone responds to).
Once you feel you have it down, send it to a show you like but not mine."
TVG_Star says, "I don't mean
to be discouraging or cold, but everything for the next few years has been
committed to staff writers and to free-lancers that we work ith on the
outside. Good luck!"
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #280 from Chip1138: Would you rather create a new villain rather
than use a one familiar to the fans?
TVG_Star says, "Another good
one. In general I prefer taking a villain who's been around awhile and
has some sort of history from the comics, and find a way to make him fit
in with a current series."
TVG_Star says, "It's fun and
it's a challenge w hen it works out, as it did with Mr. Freeze."
TVG_Star says, "I don't mind
creating new villains either but they have to fit some sort of compelling
need to be in the story."
TVG_Star says, "Then I came
up with the Condiment King, so what the hell do I know?!?
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #305 from RiddlerWB: Will The Huntress appear next season??
TVG_Star says, "No, sorry,
not at present."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #303 from Harley_Quinn69: What are your favourite types of female
villains to write for?
TVG_Star says, "I like them
all. I like funny ones like Harley, sultry ones like Ivy, off the wall
psychos like Live Wire, who all show up in an episode together next season
by the way, and the ultra-glamorous/magical/witchy types."
TVG_Star says, "Somehow female
villains strike me as more diverse in character than male villains who
seem to always just want to blow things up or get even with somebody."
TVGOer presents the speaker with
question #296 from Larry_M_21: How many episodes of BTAMAN TOMORROW can
we expect in the first season?
TVG_Star says, "There will
be 13 episodes of Batman Tomorrow, and there will be 14 new episodes of
our current Batman."
TVG_Star says, "We are not
abandoning one for the other, we are just presenting an alternative view
of Batman's future."
TVGOer says, "Thanks for being
here Paul!"
TVG_Star says, "Thanks for
all the great questions. They were all very interesting and thought provoking.
I had a lot of fun! See around the Bat Cave!
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