John Semper facts for kids

John Semper Jr. is an American writer and producer. He has worked on many animated TV shows. He is most famous for being the main writer and producer for Spider-Man: The Animated Series. This popular show ran from 1994 to 1998.

Semper also created the idea of the "Spider-Verse". This is where different versions of Spider-Man from other universes meet. This idea is now used in many Spider-Man comics, cartoons, and movies.

Early Life and Education

John Semper Jr. went to Harvard University. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies.

Working in Animation and Film

Semper has worked for many big companies. These include Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, and Hanna-Barbera Productions. He has helped develop projects for famous creators like Jim Henson and Stan Lee.

He also wrote the English words for two Japanese animated movies by Hayao Miyazaki. These were Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service. Semper also helped write the movie Class Act.

Creating the Spider-Verse

John Semper is the first person to bring the "Spider-Verse" idea to Spider-Man stories. This idea is also called the "Spiderman Multiverse". In the last two episodes of his Spider-Man animated series, different versions of Spider-Man from other universes met. This was the first time this happened in a Spider-Man story.

This idea later became very popular. It was used in many Spider-Man comics, cartoons, and movies. Examples include the Spider-Verse movie series and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Creeporia Webseries

In 2014, Semper created a funny horror webseries called Creeporia. The main character, Creeporia, first appeared in another webseries called Crypt of Creeporia. This show mixed live actors with animation.

Spider-Man Website

In November 2014, Semper started a website called cartoonspiderman.com. He did this to celebrate 20 years since Spider-Man: The Animated Series began. The website shares behind-the-scenes stories, podcasts, and more about the show.

Books Written by Semper

John Semper has also written books. One of his books is The Singular Affair of the Missing Ball: A Sherlock Whippet Mystery. He also wrote several books based on his scripts for TV shows. These include Jay Jay the Jet Plane and Static Shock.

Awards and Nominations

Semper's work has been recognized with awards.

• In 1995, an episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series he wrote, "Day of the Chameleon," was nominated for an Annie Award. This award is for great writing in animation.
• In 1996, the Spider-Man series was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
• In 2004, Semper was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on Static Shock.

Screenwriting Work

Here are some of the TV shows and movies John Semper has written for. Shows where he was the main writer are in bold.

Television Shows

• Shirt Tales (1983)
• The Biskitts (1983)
• The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show (1983–1984)
• Pink Panther and Sons (1984)
• Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show (1984)
• The Smurfs (1984)
• Snorks (1984–1985)
• The Jetsons (1985)
• The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985)
• Kissyfur (1985)
• MoonDreamers (1986)
• Bionic Six (1987)
• DuckTales (1987)
• Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series (1987)
• The Jim Henson Hour (1989)
• Kid 'n Play (1990)
• Spider-Man (1994–1998)
• The Puzzle Place (1995)
• Rugrats (1996-1998)
• Extreme Ghostbusters (1997)
• The Incredible Hulk (1997)
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000)
• Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001)
• Kong: The Animated Series (2001)
• Static Shock (2003–2004): main writer for seasons 3–4
• Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
• Pink Panther and Pals (2010)
• The Adventures of Chuck and Friends (2010–2011)
• Creeporia (2014)
• Justice League Action (2017)

Movies

• Class Act (1992)
• Green Lantern: Beware My Power (2022)