Bill Finger created Batman.  And though you’ve certainly heard of Batman, Robin, the Joker, Catwoman, Gotham City, and so much more in the world of the Dark Knight (including the nickname, “The Dark Knight”), you’ve probably never heard of him.  In 1974, Bill Finger died having never received official credit, nor his fair share in remuneration for his own creation.

How did this come about?  This is ultimately a story of shrewd business dealings trumping creativity, partnerships made in good faith, justice, and common decency.  The exhaustive research and efforts of Marc Tyler Nobleman documented in his book “Bill The Boy Wonder” (illustrated by Ty Templeton) recount this story far more eloquently than I am able to in this small space.  Since the publication of Mr. Nobleman’s book, numerous news outlets have reported on this story, opening the curtain ever so slightly to shed light on this long-standing injustice (see links shared below).

Why should anyone care?  Though comics and superheroes may seem to many to be a trivial diversion, their call to act, to help and to be an inspiration to others is not.  Browse the open petitions on this very site.  They read as a litany of the injustices continuing to thrive in our world.  Thousands of calls to act, the sheer weight of which is exhausting to consider let alone undertake.  So we look to our heroes real and fictional for inspiration, strength, and hope.  Why not start your own heroic adventure by once and for all helping to bring justice to the creator whose work continues not only to entertain but to inspire so many across the world?

To that end, we the undersigned petition DC Comics and its parent company Warner Bros. Entertainment Company to officially recognize Bill Finger as co-creator of Batman* in all its depictions here forward - publications, merchandise and media including film, television, and video games.  Further we call on DC and Warner Bros. to negotiate in good faith with Mr. Finger’s living heir(s)/estate a fair and equitable share of the creative rights and/or compensation for returns on all current and future Batman* publications, media and merchandise or agreements with third parties to produce the same.

The goal for this petition is set to 375,000 signatures to mark 2014's significance in the history of Batman (100 x 75 x 50 = 375,000.  Read further to see how these numbers relate to this year).  Therefore it is all the more important for you to sign the petition today and to share it with your friends, fellow Bat-fans, and all who value creativity, artist's rights, fairness, and the hammers of justice.

*Batman includes the Batman character, related characters, locations and concepts documented to have been (co-)created by Bill Finger.

Additional Information:

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/11/158494206/batmans-biggest-secret-no-its-not-bruce-wayne​

http://talentsearch.ted.com/video/Marc-Tyler-Nobleman-The-story-o​

http://www.today.com/books/author-battles-unmask-batmans-secret-co-creator-6C10518786​

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/08/bill-the-boy-wonder/​

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/21/hero-worship-batmans-unsung-hero​

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-dark-knights-dark-secret-bill-fingers-uncredited-role-in-the-story-of-batman/​

http://smodcast.com/episodes/marc-tyler-nobleman-the-fickle-finger-of-fledermaus/ (warning: strong language)

 

Please note:

Marc Tyler Nobleman, author of “Bill the Boy Wonder” also has an effort underway petitioning Google to create a Doodle in honor of Bill Finger’s 100th Birthday this year on February 8th.  This year will also be the 50th anniversary of his untimely passing and the 75th anniversary of the first publication of Batman in Detective Comics.  Email proposals@google.com before February 8, 2014 to add your support for this proposed doodle.  See more at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/batmans-secret-co-creator-died-40-years-ago-today-whats-it-take-to-get-him-some-credit-a-author-hopes-google-can-help/2014/01/18/15291010-8050-11e3-93c1-0e888170b723_blog.html