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!!
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!!
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