Paul Dini

{{Short description|American writer and comic creator (born 1957)}}

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{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Paul Dini

| image = FIBD2019RencontreBatman 02 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Dini in 2019

| birth_name = Paul McClaran Dini

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|08|07|mf=yes}}

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| education = Emerson College (BFA)

| occupation = Comic book artist, writer, animator

| years_active = 1979–present

| notable_works = {{ubl|Batman: The Animated Series|Batman: Arkham Asylum|Batman: Arkham City|Freakazoid!|Batman: Streets of Gotham|Tower Prep}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Misty Lee|2005}}

| awards = Inkpot Award 2013

}}

Paul McClaran Dini ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|iː|n|i}}; born August 7, 1957) is an American writer, animator, and comic book artist. He has served as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros. Animation/DC Comics animated series, most notably Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), and the subsequent DC Animated Universe. Dini and Bruce Timm co-created the characters Harley Quinn and Terry McGinnis.

Dini began writing on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe for Filmation (1983-1984) Then later for Warner Bros. Animation on Tiny Toon Adventures. In addition to Batman: The Animated Series, Dini was a writer for Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), writer and co-creator for The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), and writer and developer for Batman Beyond (1999–2001). He also co-created Freakazoid! (1995–1997) with Timm, produced Duck Dodgers (2003–2005), developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog (2005–2006). After leaving Warner Bros. Animation in early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the first season of the ABC adventure series Lost. Dini wrote the storylines for the Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City video games. In 2010, he created the live action drama series Tower Prep for Cartoon Network.

He has written a number of comic books for DC Comics. Dini and Timm collaborated on The Batman Adventures: Mad Love, which won the Eisner Award for Best Single Story in 1994. Dini and illustrator Alex Ross created the graphic novels Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, Shazam! Power of Hope, and Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth. His original creations include Jingle Belle, Sheriff Ida Red, and Madame Mirage.

Early life

Paul Dini was born on August 7, 1957{{cite web|author-link=John Jackson Miller |last=Miller |first=John Jackson |url=http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |title=Comics Industry Birthdays |work=Comics Buyer's Guide |date=June 10, 2005 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |access-date=December 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead}} in New York City to Patricia (McClaran) and Robert Dini, an advertising executive. He is of Italian descent through his father.{{cite book |last=Martone |first=Eric |date=2016 |title=Italian Americans: The History and Culture of a People |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHJ1DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA303 |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=ABC-Clio |page=303 |isbn=978-1-61069-994-5}} Dini attended Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing.{{cite web |url=https://atlasmagemerson.com/2016/11/30/emerson-alumni-they-went-here/ |title=Emerson Alumni: They Went Here? |last=Morris |first=Jessica |date=November 30, 2016 |website=Atlas |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412133152/https://atlasmagemerson.com/2016/11/30/emerson-alumni-they-went-here/ |archive-date=April 12, 2021}}

During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation,{{cite web |url= http://sequentialtart.com/archive/apr00/dini.shtml|title= I'll Be There With Belles On! Paul Dini|first= Jennifer M.|last= Contino|date= April 2000|publisher= Sequentialtart.com|access-date= September 1, 2013}} and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects. Dini later returned to the Star Wars universe in 2007 to script several episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/secrets-behind-the-star-wars-saturday-morning-cartoon-shows-droids-and-ewoks-paul-dini-190205605.html |title=Secrets behind the long lost 'Star Wars' Saturday morning cartoon shows 'Droids' and 'Ewoks' revealed |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=May 4, 2020 |website=Yahoo! |access-date=May 4, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505005454/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/secrets-behind-the-star-wars-saturday-morning-cartoon-shows-droids-and-ewoks-paul-dini-190205605.html |archive-date=May 5, 2020}}

Career

=1980s=

Dini wrote episodes for the 1983–1985 animated TV series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series. He wrote an episode for the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon in 1983, an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series, "The Dweller in The Depths," an episode of the 1985 G.I. Joe cartoon called "Jungle Trap", and contributed to various episodes of the Star Wars: Ewoks animated series,{{cite web |url= http://www.hobotrashcan.com/2006/01/03/one-on-one-with-paul-dini/|title= One on One with Paul Dini|date= January 3, 2006|publisher= Hobo Trash Can|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120717073653/http://www.hobotrashcan.com/2006/01/03/one-on-one-with-paul-dini/|archive-date= July 17, 2012|url-status= live}} several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/paul-dini-ewoks-droids-star-wars-175933375.html |title='Star Wars': How 'Ewoks' and 'Droids' Arrived on Saturday Morning TV |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=December 18, 2015 |website=Yahoo! News |access-date=July 3, 2017}}

=1990s=

In 1989, Dini was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures.{{cite news |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=October 24, 2017 |title=Paul Dini's 'Boo and Hiss' Takes 'Tom and Jerry' to the Next Level |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/paul-dinis-new-boo-hiss-takes-tom-jerry-next-level-1051298/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 24, 2017}} Later, he moved on to Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Batman Beyond.{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/nycc-2019-batman-beyond-20th-anniversary |title=NYCC 2019: Batman Beyond celebrates 20 years of influencing DC animation |last=Weiss |first=Josh |date=October 6, 2019 |website=Syfy Wire |access-date=October 6, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508130147/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/nycc-2019-batman-beyond-20th-anniversary |archive-date=May 8, 2020}} Dini was the writer for the episode "Heart of Ice", which redefined Mr. Freeze as a tragic character and won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program.{{cite web |url=https://batman-news.com/2019/06/08/batman-remastered-rewatched-14-heart-of-ice/ |title=Batman: Remastered and Rewatched – Episode 14 – Heart of Ice |last=Frederiksen |first=Eric |date=June 8, 2019 |website=Batman News |access-date=June 20, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620180813/https://batman-news.com/2019/06/08/batman-remastered-rewatched-14-heart-of-ice/ |archive-date=June 20, 2019}} He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.awn.com/news/duck-dodgers-blasts-cartoon-network |title=Duck Dodgers Blasts Onto Cartoon Network |last=Godfrey |first=Leigh |date=September 30, 2002 |website=Animation World Network |access-date=July 3, 2017}} In 1989 and 1990, he contributed scripts to the live-action television horror anthology series Monsters: "One Wolf's Family" and "Talk Nice to Me". Along with Bruce Timm, he created the animated series Freakazoid!.{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/freak-out-everything-you-didnt-know-about-freakazoid |title=Freak Out! Everything you didn't know about Freakazoid! |date=June 11, 2020 |website=Syfy Wire |access-date=June 11, 2020}}

He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was the co-author with Chip Kidd of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.{{cite book |last1=Dini |first1=Paul |last2=Kidd |first2=Chip |author-link2=Chip Kidd |date=1998 |title=Batman Animated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlslPwAACAAJ |publisher=Titan Books |isbn=1-84023-016-9}}

Dini and Bruce Timm introduced Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series as her first appearance was the episode "Joker's Favor" and in 1994, they adapted the character into comics in The Batman Adventures: Mad Love one-shot.{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|editor-last1=Dolan|editor-first1=Hannah|chapter= 1990s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 265|quote = Writer Paul Dini and artist Bruce Timm partnered for a special set in the animated world of the Dark Knight. Revealing the origin of the Joker's lover, popular made-for-TV character Harley Quinn, the storytelling duo crafted a sweetly disturbing award-winning tale.}} In 1994, Dini and Timm won both the Eisner Award for Best Single Story and the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story for Mad Love.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-the-animated-series-the-joker-harleys-mad-love-revisited/ |title=Revisiting the Little Known Sequel to The Joker & Harley's Mad Love |last=Kendall |first=G. |date=March 4, 2018 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220020639/https://www.cbr.com/batman-the-animated-series-the-joker-harleys-mad-love-revisited/ |archive-date=December 20, 2019}} Dini won the same Eisner prize the next year as well, for Batman Adventures Holiday Special, (a one-shot with several Christmas-themed stories) with Timm, Ronnie del Carmen, and others.{{cite web |url=https://comicsalliance.com/batman-adventures-holiday-special/ |title=On The Cheap: The 50-Page 'Batman Adventures Holiday Special' Is 99 Cents This Week |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=July 2, 2015 |website=ComicsAlliance |access-date=May 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224100150/https://comicsalliance.com/batman-adventures-holiday-special/ |archive-date=February 24, 2017}} Harley Quinn was integrated into the mainstream DC Comics continuity in the Batman: Harley Quinn one-shot published in 1999.Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 289: "Harley Quinn finally made her way into the DC Universe in her own one-shot prestige-format special by writer Paul Dini alongside artist Yvel Guichet." In Batman Beyond, Dini and Timm co-created Terry McGinnis, the teenage Batman of the future, and his supporting cast.{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/sdcc-2019-batman-beyond-anniversary |title=Batman Beyond celebrates 20 years at SDCC and announces a fully remastered series set |last1=Kaye |first1=Don |last2=Silliman |first2=Brian |date=July 18, 2019 |website=Syfy Wire |access-date=January 27, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127112419/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/sdcc-2019-batman-beyond-anniversary |archive-date=January 27, 2022}} Dini has written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross{{cite journal|last = Smith|first = Zack|title = Paul Dini & Alex Ross Discuss a Treasured Format|journal = Back Issue!|issue = 61|pages = 69–77|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = December 2012|location= Raleigh, North Carolina

|quote= From 1998 to 2003, [Paul Dini and Alex Ross] produced a series of fully painted oversized books featuring DC's biggest heroes.}} featuring Superman (Superman: Peace on Earth),Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 286: "Alex Ross teamed up with writer Paul Dini...to tell a powerful story of the Man of Steel. In this beautiful sixty-four-page oversized one-shot...Superman fought a battle even he couldn't truly win: the war on poverty and hunger." Batman (Batman: War on Crime),Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 289: "The second in the oversized prestige-format tabloid collaborations between writer Paul Dini and painter Alex Ross, Batman: War on Crime was just as successful as its predecessor, and just as beautiful." Shazam (Shazam! Power of Hope), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth), and the Justice League (Secret Origins and Liberty and Justice). A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Super-Heroes.{{cite book|last = Dini|first = Paul|author2=Ross, Alex |author-link2=Alex Ross |title = The World's Greatest Super-Heroes|publisher = DC Comics|year = 2005|pages = 404|isbn = 978-1401202545}} Among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus.{{cite web |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=November 6, 2013 |title=She Can Only Save (Or Destroy) Christmas So Many Times: Paul Dini Talks 'Jingle Belle' [Interview] |url=https://comicsalliance.com/paul-dini-jingle-belle-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722041904/https://comicsalliance.com/paul-dini-jingle-belle-interview/ |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=July 3, 2017 |website=ComicsAlliance}}

=2000s=

In 2002, Dini created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/paul-dini-charges-up-the-southwest-for-mutant-texas/ |title=Paul Dini charges up the southwest for 'Mutant, Texas' |date=February 8, 2002 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017}} He collaborated with Kevin Smith on Clerks: The Animated Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/kevin-smith-thinks-now-is-the-time-for-a-clerks-the-an-1843831950 |title=Kevin Smith thinks now is the time for a Clerks: The Animated Series reboot |last=Colburn |first=Randall |date=June 1, 2020 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=June 1, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620005548/https://www.avclub.com/kevin-smith-thinks-now-is-the-time-for-a-clerks-the-an-1843831950 |archive-date=June 20, 2021}} He and Bruce Timm collaborated on the Harley and Ivy limited series for DC in 2004.{{cite book|last1= Manning|first1= Matthew K.|editor-last1=Dougall|editor-first1=Alastair|chapter= 2000s|title= Batman: A Visual History|publisher= Dorling Kindersley|year= 2014|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 274|isbn= 978-1465424563|quote= Writer Paul Dini and artist Bruce Timm crafted this tale set in the DC Animated Universe and starring the odd couple of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.}} Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics as of issue #821 (Sept. 2006)Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 290: "Paul Dini came aboard Detective Comics as its new ongoing writer as of this issue." and created a new version of the Ventriloquist in #827 (March 2007).Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 293: "Paul Dini and artist Don Kramer introduced a new Ventriloquist in this self-contained issue." While Grant Morrison was starting a seven-year Batman story on the Batman title composed of long, interlinking arcs, Dini wrote a number of single-issue stories over the following year as well as two crossovers with Morrison's Batman, one focusing on the resurrection of Ra's al Ghul and another on the return of Hush.Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 300: Detective Comics #846 "This issue began writer Paul Dini and artist Dustin Nguyen's 'Heart of Hush' story." After Morrison's "Batman R.I.P." storyline in 2009, creators were moved around titles and Dini started writing two new Batman titles Batman: Streets of GothamManning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 305: "Paul Dini and artist Dustin Nguyen introduced this ongoing series."{{cite web |first=Jeffrey |last=Renaud|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21635|title= Dini Takes it to the Streets of Gotham|work=Comic Book Resources |date=June 17, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121009080231/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21635|archive-date= October 9, 2012|url-status= live|access-date= June 17, 2009}} and Gotham City Sirens.Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 306: "The villainous version of the Birds of Prey premiered in this new ongoing 'Batman: Reborn' series by writer Paul Dini and artist Guillem March."{{cite web|first=Jeffrey|last=Renaud|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21652|title= Dini's Sirens Blare in Gotham City|work=Comic Book Resources |date=June 18, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121009081527/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21652|archive-date= October 9, 2012|url-status= live|access-date= June 18, 2009}} Streets of Gotham started and ended with story arcs about Hush while Gotham City Sirens focused on the women of Gotham; he wrote the bulk of both titles during their existence including the first and last issue of both.{{gcdb|type=writer|search= Paul+Dini|title= Paul Dini}}

In 2006 he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2004, Dini was on the writing staff for the first season of the ABC adventure series Lost.{{cite book |last=Castro |first=Adam-Troy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5V4VBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT59 |title=Getting Lost: Survival, Baggage, and Starting Over in J.J. Abrams' Lost |date=2006 |publisher=BenBella Books |isbn=1-932100-78-4 |location=Dallas, Texas |page=51 |author-link=Adam-Troy Castro}} The Lost writers were awarded at the 2006 Writers Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Writing for a Dramatic Television Series. The following year he was the head writer of DC's weekly series, Countdown.{{cite web |last=Khouri |first=Andy |date=May 22, 2007 |title=Darkseid Rules: In-Depth with Paul Dini and Countdown |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10275 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222053033/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10275 |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |publisher=Comic Book Resources }} Dini co-wrote a draft script for the ill-fated Science Ninja Team Gatchaman movie, which never saw the light of day and resulted in him leaving the project.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/gatchaman-concept-art-movie/ |title=Gatchaman Concept Art for Imagi's Unproduced Film Is Absolutely Gorgeous |last=Cooke |first=Sarah |date=March 6, 2019 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=March 6, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128031313/https://www.cbr.com/gatchaman-concept-art-movie/ |archive-date=January 28, 2021}} Dini wrote a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/video-paul-dinis-madame-mirage-1-from-top-cow/ |title=VIDEO: Paul Dini's "Madame Mirage" #1 from Top Cow |date=March 20, 2007 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017}} In July 2008, Dini started a partnership with GoAnimate to launch his Super Rica & Rashy series on the platform.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/reflections-paul-dini-part-i/ |title=REFLECTIONS: Paul Dini, Part I |last=Taylor |first=Robert |date=December 2, 2008 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510133153/https://www.cbr.com/reflections-paul-dini-part-i/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017}}

Dini returned to Batman animated adaptations to write the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Legends of the Dark Mite". In the same episode, he appeared in an animated form wearing Harley Quinn's costume in a comic book convention parody scene, along with Bruce Timm wearing Joker's costume next to him.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-beyond-terry-mcginnis-facts-trivia-secrets/ |title=15 Things You Never Knew About Batman Beyond |last=Castro |first=Danilo |date=January 11, 2017 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=May 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516214012/https://screenrant.com/batman-beyond-terry-mcginnis-facts-trivia-secrets/ |archive-date=May 16, 2017}} He would go on to write several additional episodes for the series, including "Chill of the Night!", the teaser of which contained a team-up between Batman and Zatanna, one of Dini's favorite characters. Dini penned the storyline for the Rocksteady Studios video game Batman: Arkham Asylum, released on August 25, 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/paul-dini-talks-batman-arkham-asylum/ |title=Paul Dini Talks Batman: Arkham Asylum |last=Letendre |first=Brian |date=April 24, 2009 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725004924/https://www.cbr.com/paul-dini-talks-batman-arkham-asylum/ |archive-date=July 25, 2017}} He wrote three episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars: "Cloak of Darkness,"{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/star-wars-the-clone-wars-preview-cloak-of-darkness |title=Star Wars: The Clone Wars Preview - "Cloak of Darkness" |date=December 4, 2008 |website=IGN |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112085402/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/star-wars-the-clone-wars-preview-cloak-of-darkness |archive-date=November 12, 2016}} "Holocron Heist,"{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/11/star-wars-the-clone-wars-holocron-heist-review |title=Star Wars: The Clone Wars - "Holocron Heist" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=September 10, 2009 |website=IGN |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006131405/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/11/star-wars-the-clone-wars-holocron-heist-review |archive-date=October 6, 2016}} and "Voyage of Temptation."{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/08/star-wars-the-clone-wars-voyage-of-temptation-review |title=Star Wars: The Clone Wars - "Voyage of Temptation" Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=February 8, 2010 |website=IGN |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027142047/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/08/star-wars-the-clone-wars-voyage-of-temptation-review |archive-date=October 27, 2016}} On February 14, 2008, the first edition of Dini's column, "200 Words with Paul Dini" was released on the iFanboy site.{{cite web|url= http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/200_Words_with_Paul_Dini__1_-_Sweethearts|title= 200 Words with Paul Dini #1 – Sweethearts|publisher= iFanboy|date= February 14, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120722181757/http://ifanboy.com/articles/200-words-with-paul-dini-1-sweethearts/|archive-date= July 22, 2012|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|access-date= January 15, 2011}}

=2010s=

Dini is the main creator of the live action drama Tower Prep Cartoon Network series.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29560 |title=Discovering Paul Dini's "Tower Prep" |last=Phegley |first=Kiel |date=November 23, 2010 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228155813/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29560 |archive-date=December 28, 2010}} On August 4, 2010, it was confirmed that Dini will be involved in Marvel Comics' upcoming animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, which aired on Disney XD in 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-unveils-all-star-creative-team-for-ultimate-spider-man-animated-series/ |title=Marvel Unveils All Star Creative Team For ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN Animated Series |date=August 6, 2010 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126045515/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-unveils-all-star-creative-team-for-ultimate-spider-man-animated-series/ |archive-date=January 26, 2021}} He worked on Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., an animated series centered around the Hulk and his supporting cast.{{cite web|url= http://www.badhaven.com/tv/tv-news/marvel-television-panel-nycc-highlights-featuring-jeph-loeb/|title= Marvel Television Panel NYCC Highlights featuring Jeph Loeb|date= October 16, 2011|publisher= BadHaven.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120425073745/http://www.badhaven.com/tv/tv-news/marvel-television-panel-nycc-highlights-featuring-jeph-loeb/|archive-date= April 25, 2012|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}} Dini worked with Rocksteady studios once again to create Batman: Arkham City, which was a sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/interview-batman-writer-paul-dini-s-i-arkham-city-i-ambitions |title=Interview: Batman Writer Paul Dini's Arkham City Ambitions |last=Sheffield |first=Brandon |date=October 18, 2011 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111221843/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/127671/Interview_Batman_Writer_Paul_Dinis_Arkham_City_Ambitions.php |archive-date=November 11, 2014}} He wrote a five-issue comic series set in the game continuity.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/05/11/batman-arkham-city-comic-book-review.aspx |title=Batman: Arkham City Comic Book Review |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=May 11, 2011 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116125329/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/05/11/batman-arkham-city-comic-book-review.aspx |archive-date=January 16, 2012}} A building in Arkham City is named Dini Towers in tribute.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/batmans-arkham-games-die-hard-fans-know/ |title=Batman's Arkham Games: 10 Things Only Die-Hard Fans Know About The Series |last=Thapa |first=Shaurya |date=December 10, 2021 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211034804/https://screenrant.com/batmans-arkham-games-die-hard-fans-know/ |archive-date=December 11, 2021}} He did not write the storyline of the third Rocksteady game in the series, Batman: Arkham Knight, due to the company not wanting to hire freelance writers for future games.{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Gilbert |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/paul-dini-explains-absence-from-next-batman-game/ |title=Paul Dini explains absence from next Batman game |website=Joystiq.com / AOL |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=August 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808200526/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/paul-dini-explains-absence-from-next-batman-game |archive-date=August 8, 2012}}

Dini wrote the script for Bloodspell, an original graphic novel starring Black Canary and Zatanna.{{cite web |url= http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/05/paul-dini-and-joe-quinones-working-on-zatannablack-canary-team-up/|title= Paul Dini, Joe Quinones working on Zatanna/Black Canary team-up|first= Chris|last= Arrant|date= May 12, 2011|publisher= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110615234332/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/05/paul-dini-and-joe-quinones-working-on-zatannablack-canary-team-up/|archive-date= June 15, 2011|url-status= dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/more-than-just-fishnets-black-canary-and-zatanna-bloodspell/ |title=More than just fishnets: 'Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell' |last=Mozzocco |first=J. Caleb |date=May 22, 2014 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=July 3, 2017}} He also performed rewrites on Disney's dark fantasy film Maleficent.{{cite news | url=https://www.cbr.com/angelina-jolie-mystifies-in-new-maleficent-trailer/ | title=Angelina Jolie Mystifies in New 'Maleficent' Trailer | newspaper=CBR | date=January 21, 2014 }}{{cite web | url=https://scriptpdf.com/maleficent-script-pdf/ | title=Maleficent Script PDF | date=August 11, 2021 }} His graphic novel Dark Night: A True Batman Story, based on a mugging he experienced in 1993, was published in June 2016.{{cite web |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/paul-dini-revisits-his-traumatic-842031|title= Paul Dini Revisits His Traumatic Past With Dark Night: A True Batman Story (Exclusive)|first= Borys|last= Kit|date= December 1, 2015|work= The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160124140130/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/paul-dini-revisits-his-traumatic-842031|archive-date= January 24, 2016|url-status= live|quote= Just like Batman, who was born out of a tragic mugging that killed his parents, Dini also lived through a violent assault that altered his life.}} Dini wrote the "Actionland!" chapter in Action Comics #1000 (June 2018) which was drawn by José Luis García-López and Kevin Nowlan.{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/action-comics-1000-superman-review-2018/|title= Action Comics #1000 Shows Superman Still Looks Good at 80 Years Old|first= Jim|last= Johnson|date= April 18, 2018|publisher= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144840/https://www.cbr.com/action-comics-1000-superman-review-2018/|archive-date= April 26, 2018|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|quote= Paul Dini’s whimsical 'Actionland' features the welcome return of José Luis García-López to the pages of Superman, evocative of the pre-Crisis era for those who miss it.}}

Paul Dini and his wife, magician Misty Lee, created an online interview feature called "Monkey Talk" on Kevin Smith's website, Quick Stop Entertainment.com.{{cite web|url= http://popcultureaddict.com/interviews/paulandrashy/|title= Everybody Has Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey: A Conversation with Paul Dini and RaSHy|first= Sam|last= Tweedle|date= n.d.|publisher= Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150906005817/http://popcultureaddict.com/interviews/paulandrashy/|archive-date= September 6, 2015|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|access-date= September 6, 2015}} Dini and Misty Lee appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on April 6, 2016.{{cite podcast |url=https://tvguidancecounselor.libsyn.com/tv-guidance-counselor-episode-144-paul-dini-and-misty-lee |title=TV Guidance Counselor Episode 144: Paul Dini and Misty Lee |website=TV Guidance Counselor |host=Ken Reid |date=April 6, 2016 |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813144551/https://tvguidancecounselor.libsyn.com/tv-guidance-counselor-episode-144-paul-dini-and-misty-lee |archive-date=August 13, 2020}}

=2020s=

File:Paul Dini by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]

In September 2020, DC Comics announced that Dini would be among the creators of a revived Batman: Black and White anthology series to debut on December 8, 2020.{{cite web|author=Adams, Tim|url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-black-and-white-anthology-december-2020/ |title=DC's Batman: Black and White Anthology Series Returns in Late 2020 |date=September 9, 2020 |website=CBR.com |access-date=September 18, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084055/https://www.cbr.com/batman-black-and-white-anthology-december-2020/}} Dini wrote the prequel to Scoob!, Scoob! Holiday Haunt, set to release through HBO Max.{{cite web |last1=Burlingame |first1=Russ |title=Scoob!: Holiday Haunt First Look Revealed in HBO Max Teaser |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/scoob-holiday-haunt-first-look-revealed-in-hbo-max-teaser/ |website=ComicBook |access-date=February 18, 2022 |date=December 22, 2021}} It was canceled in August 2022 by Warner Bros. Discovery.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/scoob-2-paul-dini-criticizes-unexpected-cancellation/ |title=Scoob 2 Writer Paul Dini Criticizes the Film's Unexpected Cancellation |last=Cannito |first=Nicholas |date=August 3, 2022 |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=August 10, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809210719/https://www.cbr.com/scoob-2-paul-dini-criticizes-unexpected-cancellation/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022}}

Personal life

Dini and his wife Misty Lee,David, Peter (2009). More Digressions. Second Age, Inc. p. 96. a magician and voiceover actress, live in Los Angeles.{{cite web|url= http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/22/misty-lee-magician-voice-actress/92484578/|title= Mt. Clemens native Misty Lee hangs with Houdini, Princess Leia, Spidey|first= Kurt Anthony|last= Krug|date= October 22, 2016|work= Detroit Free Press|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170518153654/http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/22/misty-lee-magician-voice-actress/92484578/|archive-date= May 18, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} Their two Boston terriers, Mugsy and Deuce, were featured in "Anger Management", a 2012 episode of The Dog Whisperer, in which they sought Cesar Millan's help with their dogs' behavioral problems. Around this time, Dini began an extensive weight loss and exercise regimen which combined dog obedience training.{{cite episode|series=Dog Whisperer|title=Anger Management|airdate=August 4, 2012|season=9|number=6|network=National Geographic Channel}}{{cite web |url=http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2012/08/04/dog-whisperer-anger-management/ |title=Dog Whisperer: Anger Management |author=National Geographic Channels |author-link=National Geographic Channels |work=Nat Geo TV Blogs |access-date=February 27, 2015 |date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130704003642/http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2012/08/04/dog-whisperer-anger-management/ |archive-date=July 4, 2013 |publisher=National Geographic Society}}

Screenwriting credits

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

=Television=

Head writer credits are denoted in bold

{{col-break}}

=Films=

Bibliography

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

=Bongo Comics=

  • Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #2, 9 (1996, 2003)
  • Simpsons Comics #52, 193 (2000, 2012)
  • Simpsons Comics Winter Wingding #1, 3 (2006, 2008)

=Dark Horse=

  • Jingle Belle vol.2 #1–4 (2004–2005)
  • Jingle Belle: The Fight Before Christmas (2005)
  • The Bakers Meet Jingle Belle (2006)

=DC Comics=

{{col-break}}

=DC Comics/Archie Comics=

=Eclipse Comics=

  • Elvira, Mistress of the Dark #1, 8, 61 (1993, 1998)

=Image Comics=

  • Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs. Frankenstein (2008)
  • Madame Mirage #1–6 (2007–2008)
  • Top Cow Holiday Special/Jingle Belle: Grounded (2010)
  • Witchblade Animated #1 (2003)

=Marvel Comics=

  • Captain America: Red, White, & Blue (2002)

=Oni Press=

  • Jingle Belle #1–2 (1999)
  • Jingle Belle: Jubilee (2001)
  • Jingle Belle: The Mighty Elves (2001)
  • Jingle Belle: Winter Wingding (2002)
  • Jingle Belle's All-Star Holiday Hullabaloo (2000)
  • Mutant, Texas: Tales of Sheriff Ida Red #1–4 (2002)
  • Oni Double Feature #13 (1999)
  • Oni Press Summer Vacation Supercolor Fun Special (2000)

{{col-end}}

Awards

  • Two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations as part of the creation team:
  • 1995, Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less){{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1995/outstanding-short-format-animated-program |title=OUTSTANDING ANIMATED PROGRAM (FOR PROGRAMMING ONE HOUR OR LESS) - 1995 |website=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017040018/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1995/outstanding-short-format-animated-program |archive-date=October 17, 2016}}
  • 1991, Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less){{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1991/outstanding-short-format-animated-program |title=OUTSTANDING ANIMATED PROGRAM (FOR PROGRAMMING ONE HOUR OR LESS) - 1991 |website=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=January 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717053104/http://www.emmys.com/nominations/1991/OUTSTANDING%20ANIMATED%20PROGRAM%20(FOR%20PROGRAMMING%20ONE%20HOUR%20OR%20LESS) |archive-date=July 17, 2012}}
  • Won seven comics industry Eisner Awards and two Harvey Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisnersum.php |title=Will Eisner Comic Industry Award: Summary of Winners |website=Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac |access-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921143218/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisnersum.php |archive-date=September 21, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harveysum.php |title=Harvey Award Winners Summary |website=Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac |access-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220632/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harveysum.php |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}
  • Eisner and Harvey Award in 1994 for The Batman Adventures: Mad Love;{{cite web |url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey94.php |title=1994 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners |website=Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac |access-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213507/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/harvey94.php |archive-date=October 4, 2013}} an Eisner for Batman Adventures Holiday Special in 1995, a Harvey for Batman: War on Crime in 2000.{{cite web |url=http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2000-harvey-awards/ |title=2000 Harvey Awards |website=HarveyAwards.org |access-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827194934/http://www.harveyawards.org/previous-awards-nominees/2000-harvey-awards/ |archive-date=August 27, 2013}}
  • He received the Writer's Guild Animation Writing award in 1999,{{cite web |url=https://awards.wga.org/awards/awards-recipients/animation-writers-caucus-award-recipients |title=The Animation Writers Caucus Animation Writing Award |website=Writers Guild of America Awards |access-date=May 18, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518095539/https://awards.wga.org/awards/awards-recipients/animation-writers-caucus-award-recipients |archive-date=May 18, 2021}} and a second WGA award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing for a Dramatic Television Series in 2006 as a member of the writing team for Lost.{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |title=Awards Winners |website=Writers Guild of America |access-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412082516/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-date=April 12, 2006}}
  • Five-time nominee of the animation industry's Annie Awards.{{cite web |url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/22nd-annie-awards |title=22nd Annie Awards |website=Annie Awards |access-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903124157/https://annieawards.org/legacy/22nd-annie-awards |archive-date=September 3, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/27th-annie-awards |title=27th Annie Awards |website=Annie Awards |access-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903124435/https://annieawards.org/legacy/27th-annie-awards |archive-date=September 3, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/29th-annie-awards |title=29th Annie Awards |website=Annie Awards |access-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903124445/https://annieawards.org/legacy/29th-annie-awards |archive-date=September 3, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/31st-annie-awards |title=31st Annie Awards |website=Annie Awards |access-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903124450/https://annieawards.org/legacy/31st-annie-awards |archive-date=September 3, 2017}}
  • Inkpot Award in 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot |title=Inkpot Award |website=San Diego Comic-Con |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129155249/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot |archive-date=January 29, 2017}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}