Who created the iconic character of Batman? You only have to look at a Batman comic book to find the answer—every story is marked with the words “Batman created by Bob Kane.” But what if that wasn’t the whole truth? What if someone else, other than the legendary Bob Kane, had a hand in the creation of what is arguably the most popular comic book hero of all time?
Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman is not like the usual bibliography: it is an illustrated bibliography in comic book style.
A struggling writer named Bill Finger was involved in from the beginning -- helping to invent Batman, from concept to costume to character. He dreamed up Batman’s haunting origins and his colorful nemeses. He named Gotham. Despite his brilliance, Bill worked in obscurity, his name never appearing on a Batman comic. It was only after his death that fans went to bat for Bill, calling for DC to acknowledge him as co-creator of Batman. Their fight for justice continues to this day.
Author Marc Tyler Nobleman explores for the first time the life of Bill Finger—the unsung hero behind the Dark Knight. Bill started off as a struggling writer and artist when he was approached by Bob, who had just been commissioned by the company that would become DC Comics to create a superhero sensation. Bill helped invent Batman, from concept to costume to character, and he even dreamed up the Dark Knight’s haunting origins and colorful nemeses. Yet Bill did all this in obscurity, and he was not recognized as co-creator until after his death—and is still not well-known even today.
Cartoonist and popular Batman artist Ty Templeton illustrates Marc Tyler Nobleman’s exhaustive research, which extends all the way to the present day and the fight to finally provide Bill Finger with the credit he deserves.
"This book is a MUST have for every Batman fan and comic reader in general. Finger was a prolific writer, and shaped the Batman into what he has emerged to be. This book is not like the usual bibliography: it is an illustrated bibliography, relating Finger's entry into the writing field and his eventual career, in comic book style, illustrated as a story. Done very effectively and well."
Perfect for the reluctant reader, Bill the Boy Wonder is a classic story of the underdog. Bill’s story is a reminder that even the greatest talents have fears and shortcomings. It will empower readers of all ages to take pride in—and ownership of—their work.