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Real life husband and wife duo Anthony Vasquez and Destiny Jenice Vasquez have joined the cast for the 2017 RETURN of the stage extravaganza FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT ! In their roles as former Boy Wonder NIGHTWING and dashing adventuress BATGIRL, this pair will be on hand at NEW YORK COMIC CON walking the show floor to represent this stage play, take photos with you, and answer ANY questions you may have about the show!! Keep a lookout for THIS Dynamic Duo, and watch for the RETURN of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT next year!!!     Tonight as I settle in for the night, I am somewhat melancholy.
I learned earlier today that the world has lost one of my GREATEST heroes, the car Customizer Mr. George Barris. Back in 1965, Mr. Barris answered the call of Greenway Productions who was in the process of preparing their all new adventure TV series for ABC television "BATMAN". They came to George asking if he could design and build a new modern sleek BATMOBILE for the 20th century for the Caped Crusaders to cruise around in, throughout the show. George cheerfully assured them that he was up to the task, and that creating and delivering the Batmobile they wanted would be no sweat. But then they told him they needed the finished car delivered to the studio in only 21 days!! YIKES!!! With that kind of limited time, he could not design a car from scratch, so George, being the resourceful sort that he was, had an idea: He took an old Ford Lincoln concept show car that was sitting in the back lot of his Hollywood "Kustom Kar" shop, rusting away for the previous 10 years, and designed the Batman's ride around that. The car was called "The Futura". It had fighter plane-like bubble canopies, and tail fins, and it was featured in a comedy film called "It Started With A Kiss" starring Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds. He bought the car for one dollar (!) back in 1956 when the studio did not want to pay the storage fees after production on -the movie wrapped. Then he stored the car in his back lot and forgot about it. But this same beat up, rusty hunk of junk was going to serve as the basis for a creation that would make the name George Barris legendary among custom car enthusiasts and Batman fans alike! George made a few simple structural changes to the car that turned it into a wicked and unforgettable design sure to captivate audiences EVERYWHERE. True to his word, he delivered the finished car to the studio on time and on budget. From the very beginning, when "Batman" debuted on ABC television in 1966, the show's two stars Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) may just as well have shared their star-status billing with their hot-rodded, four wheeled co-star! People EVERYWHERE fell in love with the BATMOBILE!! Now, anyone that knows me knows that I am about as a big a BATMAN fan as they come. And anyone that knows me knows that my love for this character was forged when I was a little boy, watching the excitement and color and action of that silly TV series. I raced home every afternoon from school just so that I could see The Batman and Robin slide down the Batpoles into their secret Batcave, jump into the Batmobile (still turning on its turntable), and screaming off into the night in pursuit of The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, or Catwoman. My fascination with George Barris' '66 Batmobile never faltered over the decades. And as I watched new Batmobile designs come and go for the big screen movies, NONE of them came even close to pleasing my eye or pleasing my heart like George's original '66 Bat did. When seeing interviews with George Barris, I was always so struck by how perpetually cheerful, affable, and energetic he seemed. I was glad about this because it is always so disappointing when you learn that the people who created the works you love so much are not nice. With today's passing of George Barris, I have not lost a family member, a close relative, or even an acquaintance (I never had the honor nor privilege as so many other fans have had of meeting George in person. I am nevertheless saddened that this kindly little man... who's Batmobile creation has brought me DECADES worth of joy and has set me on a path of fandom that is never-ending... this man who just exuded warmth and humor has left the company of the living here on Earth. It is my sincere hope that the memory of his good cheer offers some measure of comfort to his family and friends again soon, as I am sure they are heartbroken right now. And I hope that George's legacy of artistic excellence is continued by so many of the other people like me that he has inspired. May the heavenly father spread His inviting arms and welcome George Barris... car customizer extraordinaire... into His warm embrace as he returns home... Thank you George... for an AWESOME childhood. -Roberto Williams November 5th, 2015  For the past 75 years, every BATMAN story across all media has carried one — and only one — credit with regards to the character’s origin: “Batman created by BOB KANE".
And as those familiar with the story of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, that is NOT the full story! But an INCREDIBLE bit of news was announced today, that corrects an injustice that is over seven decades old! DC Entertainment announced earlier today that when the Television series "GOTHAM" returns to television next week, and when the long-awaited Zack Snyder film "BATMAN Vs. SUPERMAN: Dawn Of Justice" hits theaters next year, they will both feature a credit for BILL FINGER, the man who co-created The Batman along with Kane in 1939, and was responsible for some of the most iconic and memorable aspects of the character! The announcement was made in a statement from DC Comics, released to the Hollywood Reporter: "DC Entertainment and the family of Bill Finger are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement that recognizes Mr. Finger’s significant contributions to the Batman family of characters. “Bill Finger was instrumental in developing many of the key creative elements that enrich the Batman universe, and we look forward to building on our acknowledgement of his significant role in DC Comics’ history,” stated Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment. “As part of our acknowledgement of those contributions,” Nelson continued, “we are pleased to confirm today that Bill Finger will be receiving credit in the Warner Bros. television series Gotham beginning later this season, and in the forthcoming motion picture Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” As a reminder to anyone unfamiliar with our production, Bill Finger's contributions include, (among other things), key details of The Batman’s costume and color scheme, the idea that he doesn’t have super-powers, the origin story that includes the death of his parents, the co-creation of Robin The Boy Wonder, Catwoman, The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, Police Commissioner Gordon, and, Gotham City itself as the setting for Batman’s adventures. This news follows a resurgence of interest in Finger, who died in 1974 at the age of 59. Fan efforts to seek greater recognition for Finger began as early as the 1960s with articles published in "Batmania" Magazine like Jerry G. Bails' excellent article "A Finger In Every Plot". But it was the monumental efforts of author / biographer/ blogger Marc Tyler Nobleman and Illustrator Ty Templeton that brought contemporary attention to the plight of the virtually unknown co-creator of The Batman in their landmark book "BILL THE BOY WONDER" ... a most excellent publication for readers of all ages! It was during his years of research into Bill Finger's Batman contributions that Mr. Nobleman located an existing relative of Bill Finger's... his charming granddaughter Athena, living in Florida with her young son. She soon became a most welcome fixture in conventions all over the country, speaking of her memories of the legendary tales of her grandfather (as recounted to her by her father Fred... Bill's son). Bill Finger first received cover credit only last year as the writer of “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” the story that introduced Batman in Detective Comics #27 back in 1939. And now, with permanent future acknowledgements of Bill Finger's priceless contributions to The Batman mythology, a major step has been taken by DC Comics / Warner communications in the right direction! The entire cast and crew of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT wish to extend our heartiest congratulations and warmest wishes to our dear production friend Athena Finger for this most richly-deserved victory for her family!! I am deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of the venerable Mr. Michael Gonoude. Michael was most-assuredly one of my very best friends on social media. Our mutual passion for all things Batman, and his tireless support of our stage production FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT were a constant source of humor and comfort to me during all the time I knew him. I'm so very glad that he had an opportunity to enjoy our show last summer, and simultaneously so very sad that he never got a chance to see some of his suggestions for improving the production implemented in our upcoming revival. Michael was incredibly smart, incredibly generous, and I am going to miss him terribly. Rest in Peace my good friend. -Playwright, Director Roberto Williams  It looks like miracles DO happen! Somehow, during this weekend's world-famous NEW YORK COMIC CON, the roof of the Javits Convention Center did NOT collapse when two of comic book history's GREATEST arch foes met once again and posed for a friendly photo together! The eminent and iconic voice of Gotham's Dark Knight for an entire generation, Mr. Kevin Conroy, was on hand to sign autographs and meet fans of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES! But when the nefarious Clown Prince Of Crime, THE JOKER stopped by his table to say hello, Mr. Conroy kept it civil and remained all smiles! FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT'S Ryan Dempsey (The Joker) resisted the urge to cause mayhem and panic among the crowd of 151,000 attendees by posing for the photo without setting off any Smilex gas!   Mini FOTDK cast and crew reunion!: (From left to right) Gyomara Phillips (Catwoman), C.g. Alexander Grant (Script Consultant / Production Documentarian), Alaja DeSilva (Producion Manager, Chief Makeup Supervisor), David Estrada (Edward "The Riddler" Nygma), H Max Rosenthal (Dick "Nightwing" Grayson), Roberto Williams (Playwright, Director), Zaida Soler Williams (Co-Producer), Athena Finger, and Celle Mayer. Ryan Dempsey (The Joker) is behind the camera! Playwright, Producer, and Director Roberto Williams was honored once again to spend his day in the company of two of Comic Book's Golden Age grand daughters!
Chelle Mayer (grand daughter of Golden Age DC Comics Artist Sheldon Mayer) and Athena Finger (grand daughter of Golden Age writer and Batman co-creator Bill Finger) met with Williams on the morning of Sunday October 12th to take in the sights and sounds of New York's famous Comic Con 2014! Also on hand to add to the enjoyment of the day was Dr. Travis Langley, Professor, comic book historian and author of Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight (Wiley & Sons, 2012). At 4PM, the group gathered in hall 1B03 for the "GRANDDAUGHTERS OF THE COMIC BOOK REVOLUTION: THE GOLDEN AGE LIVES!" panel. With Travis Langley serving as moderator of the event, both Athena Finger and Chelle Mayer joined Christie Marston (granddaughter of Wonder Woman creator William Moulton), and Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson (Grand daughter of comic book pioneer / inventor Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson) to reveal, secrets, memories, insights, and discoveries pertaining to their famous grandfathers! Later in the evening, Ms. Finger, Ms. Mayer, Dr. Langley, Mr. Williams and his wife / co-Producer Zaida-Soler Wiliams reunited with FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT cast and crew members at Southern Hospitality Restaurant, for a good, hearty home-style meal with all the fixin's! An AMAZING time was had by all !! Following on the heels of last week's successful photo shoot conducted by Playwright / Director Roberto Williams, a second session took place earlier this evening to capture all new images of the Clown Prince of Crime - THE JOKER (Ryan Dempsey), and infatuated hench-wench HARLEY QUINN (Jamie L. Soltis). It was the first time both actors had "suited up" since the closing summer workshop performance of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, back in mid-July. But both professionals stepped right back into character as if it were second-nature! Once again make up duties were handled by the all-seeing and all-knowing head make-up artist and Production Manager Alaja DeSilva, and Production Assistance and grip services were handled expertly by Production Videographer and Script Advisor Mr. Charles Grant. Visit the GALLERY to see these beautiful new images!
Consummate gentlemen that they are, Mr. Russel Mahrt (Police Commissioner James Gordon) and Aaron David Kapner (Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot) both returned to the Brooklyn, NY residence of Playwright / Director Roberto Williams on the evening of Saturday, September 20th to take part in a new publicity photo shoot. With the hectic pace of rehearsals and the summer workshop performances of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT behind him, Williams was free to plan and execute this new publicity photo shoot to obtain stunning images of characters that were never fully represented in the show's compliment of official production stills. Step over to our GALLERY for a close look at the beautiful new stills! Once again, a BIG "thank you" goes out to Alaja DeSilva for handling Production Managment and Make-Up chores, and Charles Grant for his Grip and Production Assistance services!
For MONTHS you kept track as the production geared up for it's triumphant summer engagement! You bought a ticket and you were thrilled when you came to see the show! Now... don't you wish you could own a beautiful publicity still of your favorite character... maybe even signed by your favorite FOTDK actor / actress?      Or maybe it's the stunning 27" x 41" FOTDK theatrical one-sheet poster designed by Alren Schumer that you'd like to own?  WELL NOW YOU CAN!!! Take a look through our GALLERY of publicity images (or images from ANY section of this website). If there is an image that YOU would like to own, simply reach out to us via the website contact page, let us know which image you are interested in, and let us know if you would like it signed by one or several cast members! Publicity / performance stills are: $10 each for 8" x 10" $15 each for 11" x 17" (add $5 dollars for each actor signature). Stills are mailed flat with a protective cardboard backing. $2.50 shipping and handling. 27" x 41" Theatrical One Sheet Posters are: $30 each (add $5 dollars for each actor signature). Posters are mailed rolled in a sturdy tube shipping container. $6 shipping and handling. All posters and stills are hi-resolution images professionally printed on glossy photo print paper and heavy grade glossy poster paper! International orders welcome. Additional shipping rates may apply. Keep watching the website gallery for new character images added shortly!! |
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“Fathers Of The Dark Knight” © 2011-2013 Do not use any image without permission. |
Batman and related characters are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment. “Fathers of the Dark Knight” is a non-profit, student cosplay stage production that is in no way sponsored, approved, endorsed, nor licensed by DC Comics, Warner Bros. or any of their affiliates.
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