Episode Summary

NERDS!! We’re diving deep into the Batcave of animation history with none other than Frank Paur — the director, producer, and storyboard artist who helped shape Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles, Spawn, X-Men Evolution, and Hulk vs. Wolverine!

From his early days geeking out over The Mighty Thor comics and Frank Frazetta artwork, to accidentally turning a “summer job” on Thundarr the Barbarian into a lifelong career, Frank has been at the center of some of the most influential animated projects ever. We talk Batman’s cinematic style, Gargoyles’ cult following, Marvel’s animated B-listers, his Emmy-winning work on Spawn, and even his dream project that got away (Hex Girls spin-off, anyone?).

This episode is packed with animation insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and even a few nerd debates (like who wins: Violator vs. Xanatos vs. Bane?). Buckle up, nerd fam — it’s storytime with a legend!

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⏰ Timestamps & Topics

• 00:00 – 02:30 | Growing Up Geeky: Frank’s early inspirations (The Ten Commandments, The Mighty Thor, Conan covers, and more).

• 05:00 – 06:30 | The “summer job” that never ended: How Thundarr the Barbarian kicked off Frank’s animation career.

• 06:30 – 10:30 | Shaping superhero storytelling: Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles, and defining an era.

• 10:30 – 14:30 | Hulk vs. Wolverine & the Marvel direct-to-video era — when “B-list heroes” became heavy hitters.

• 14:30 – 18:00 | Cinematic storytelling, Gargoyles’ legacy, and balancing drama with comedy.

• 22:00 – 24:00 | Switching gears: From Shakespearean tragedy to Scooby-Doo shenanigans.

• 25:00 – 27:00 | Emmy-winning work on Spawn and the hidden gems of Marvel/Lionsgate films.

• 28:00 – 33:00 | The one that got away: Frank’s lost Hex Girls series pitch (and how Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters hit close to home).

• 35:00 – 37:00 | Nerd Debate! Violator vs. Xanatos vs. Bane — who really wins?

• 38:00 – 41:00 | What’s next: Frank’s work on the Gargoyles: Demona comic series.

• 41:30 – End | Favorite tacos, industry advice, and where to follow Frank.

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💡 Key Takeaways

• Frank Paur’s love for fantasy art and comics inspired his legendary animation career.

• Batman: The Animated Series and Gargoyles succeeded by being cinematic, intelligent, and not “just toy commercials.”

• Hulk vs. Wolverine gave animators the rare chance to cut loose and lean into comic book authenticity.

• Spawn showcased the darker side of animation — and earned Frank an Emmy.

• Frank nearly created a Hex Girls spin-off series, proving fans weren’t wrong to stan that Scooby-Doo band.

• Gargoyles: Demona is expanding the mythos with a 1,000-year history of everyone’s favorite anti-hero.

• Xanatos > Violator & Bane. Don’t @ us.

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Apple Podcast Tags

Frank Paur, Batman The Animated Series, Gargoyles, Spawn HBO, X-Men Evolution, Hulk vs Wolverine, Marvel Animation, Animation History, Voice Acting, Comic Con Interviews,