Paul Deisinger was a recurring character in The CW series, Stargirl.
He was an art teacher at Blue Valley High School, who had an unfortunate run-in with Eclipso. He served as an artistic mentor to Cameron Mahkent, trying to nurture his talent. He advocated for Cameron's art, which led to his unfortunate death.
Biography
Series
Season 2
Paul greets his students on the first day of Summer School where he is teaching history and art. He does a roll call to ensure everyone is there, including Isaac Bowin. Isaac doesn't answer at first so Paul calls his name again, this time Isaac snaps back angrily that he's here. Paul ignores the snap and instead calls for Rick Tyler, who is absent.[1] The next day, Paul continues to teach history and the Aztecs, but notices that Yolanda Montez and Courtney Whitmore are whispering in the back of the class. Mr. Deisinger calls on Yolanda to answer a question, knowing that she wasn't paying attention. While Yolanda struggles to find the answer, Courtney answers quickly but with a few adjustments. He acknowledges she was right and moves on with his teachings.[2]
A week or so later, Paul is heading to class when he sees Cameron Mahkent in the halls. He greets Cameron cheerfully but wasn't expecting him inside as he thought he was working on the mural. Cameron explains his predicament with the weather which prompts him to ask permission to use the art room instead. Paul is happy that it's being used for its intended purpose. As Cameron starts to walk away he drops his sketchbook, and Paul scoops it up to flip through the sketches. He notices that a few sketches have a likeness to Courtney Whitmore. Cameron tries to brush it off as just fooling around, but Paul smiles that Cameron has found his muse. The teacher softens that he had a muse back when he was doing the greatest work of his life. He then relents that he helps others find their muse. Courtney and Yolanda appear behind them and Courtney happily greets Cameron. An awkward silence falls before Yolanda tells Courtney they have important things to discuss like the weather. Courtney agrees and says goodbye to Cameron, heading into the class. Cameron turns around depleted over his lack of words, so Paul encourages him that his art can say everything he can't.
Paul realizes he still has Cameron's sketch book and visits the art room to return it. He interrupts a tense meeting between Cameron and Cindy Burman, though Cameron leaves quickly after getting his sketch book back. Paul is pleasantly surprised to see Cindy and hopes she's taking an interest in art. She coolly states that she dropped out and rams into his shoulder one her way out. She inadvertently affects him with Eclipso, which makes Paul hear Eclipso's voice in his head. Eclipso eerily states that he's Paul's new muse.
Paul goes back to his class when he begins to cough. He clears his throat and goes back to teaching history. He describes Helen as a historical muse, and starts coughing again. The teacher finally suggests that they end early, then runs into the studio and coughs up paint. The lights flicker and Paul's eyes glow with the diamond's power.
With the school empty, Paul looks at a blank canvas and coughs. Eclipso tells him that Paul has been blessed, and Paul's artistry deserves to be seen again. The demon asks what he sees, and Paul sees an image in his mind and find sit beautiful. Eclipso tells Paul to show the world, and Paul grabs black paint and goes to work.
The JSA track Eclipso's darkness to the school. As the group waits for S.T.R.I.P.E., Stargirl sees Mr. Deisinger's car still in the lot. She knows he could be in danger and leads the team inside to search for him. They cautiously enter the art room where they find paint splattered across the walls and floors, and frantic nonsensical drawings covering every canvas and blank space of wall. Mixed in with the nonsensical paintings are sketches of the black diamond. They become trapped in illusions courtesy of the demons power. The visions don't affect Stargirl, who wields the Cosmic Staff.
With Wildcat, Hourman, and Dr. Mid-Nite affected by Eclipso's manipulation, Stargirl is left to face Paul alone. She follows a glob of paint into another hallway, where she finds Deisinger standing there, his body engulfed in the black paint. Before she can react, he throws her aside using a tentacle made of paint. She protects herself from another attack by using the Cosmic Staff to shoot a ray of energy. The two forces collide in middle, though Stargirl is stronger than the paint. She asks Deisinger if he can see the light, and he can, so she tells him to reach out and grab it. He touches his finger to the tip of the Cosmic Staff. His body glows brightly as light fills him, peeling away the darkness of the paint, until all that remains is Deisinger on the floor. He whimpers unconscious over losing his muse, while Stargirl kneels over his body. The JSA meet her in the hall now that they're free from Eclipso's visions.
They retreat to The Pit Stop where Pat tells them Paul is under psychiatric evaluation. Their cover story is that Courtney forgot something at school when she found him. Beth remarks that Eclipso works through Deisinger, which is scary. Pat asks if Deisinger had the black black diamond on him, but he didn't, which means Eclipso's powers are getting stronger and are spreading beyond the containment of the diamond.[3]
In the morning, Pat and Courtney go through the art room when Cameron arrives. He asks if they know what happened to Mr. Deisinger. Pat only knows that the man is receiving psychiatric care. Cameron emotionally asks why bad things keep happening to good people in Blue Valley.[4] With Deisinger out for the rest of the semester, Principal Harold Sherman takes over teaching his history class.[5]
Season 3
Paul is released from his rehab facility and returns to teaching, using a cane to support himself. In art class, Cameron struggles to paint the delicate lines needed for his project. He expresses his frustration and pain in his hand, resting his head on his hand. He lashes out by angrily swiping the canvas to the ground, surprising all the students. Paul asks if Cam is okay. The boy apologizes, as he just needs to take a break. He leaves the classroom as Paul looks after him, worried.[6] He confides in Miss Woods about his concerns, and she ultimately reaches out to Cameron to let him know that Mr. Deisinger told her that he hasn't been painting. She checks in on him because of Mr. Deisinger.[7]
A few weeks later, Mr. Deisinger approaches the Mahkent Residence, hesitantly knocking on the front door. Lily answers with Sofus lagging behind her. Mr. Deisinger nervously introduces himself as Cameron's art teacher, but their blank expressions make his jovial nature falter. He asks if he can come inside, and Lily silently opens the door for him. They sit in the office room as Paul compliments their wonderful home. The artwork looks like Cameron's, and Sofus explains they're his mother's. Paul can see where Cameron gets his talent.
They have a seat while Paul tells them he's worried about Cameron since he quit art. Lily dismisses this as he has other things he's interested in now. Paul asks why, as Cameron has such passion for it. He knows losing his father was hard, but Lily sharply interrupts as he knows nothing. Sofus contains her with a touch. Paul apologizes as he only came to express his concern. He knows how much art means to Cameron, that it makes him happy, and he's dreamt about it. He can't stand by and watch him throw his artistic life away - he won't. In Norwegian, Lily tells Sofus she can't sit here any longer, but Sofus reasons with her that what this man says, it's important. She doesn't need to hear it. Sofus reasons that he's just trying to help their grandson, asking his love to please listen. She sneers that it isn't his business and raises her hand, her eyes freezing over. She shoots a shard of ice from her hand that impales Paul's chest. He falls back on the couch, dead. Lily leaves the room as it doesn't matter what the man said now - he's dead.
That afternoon, his wooden cane is pushed into the trash can at the end of the Mahkent's driveway.[8]
Personality
Paul is a happy-go-lucky and friendly man with an observant and laid back persona. He is wise and applies his wisdom to help further his students and their artistic potential. He is also kind and willing to issue advice to those who need it as seen with Cameron when he is unsure about how to address his feelings for Courtney. Deisinger shows concern for his students, especially Cameron when he is unable focus on his work due to his powers manifesting and causing his hands to cramp up, leading to an outburst, which sees him apologize.
Physical Appearance
Paul is a tall and slim man with short brown hair, small brown eyes, and a growing beard. He wears professional suits paired with a colorful shirt and ties.
Abilities
- Artistic skill: Paul is a talented artist who once tried to have an aspiring artistic career until he lost his muse. He now tries to teach teenagers how to use and channel their artist talents.
Appearances
Notes and Trivia
- Unlike the other teachers at Blue Valley High, Paul allows his students to call him by his first name as evident when he instructs his Summer School students and Cameron to whom he has a friendship with.
- Despite being possessed by Eclipso, Paul was not killed and only incapacitated.
Comic Comparisons
- Paul Deisinger is a teacher in the Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. comics. He is also the supervillain named Paintball, and an early villain of the Star Spangled Kid, which is Courtney's first alias in the comics.
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