Everyone knows Batman, right? We are all familiar with his classic cowl, the four billion different Bat-symbols, and we all wanted a utility belt (I still do). But what we think we know is just a small part of what makes up Batman and his world. We all know the movies and most of us are familiar with the comics to a lesser or greater extent. But how much do we know of his origin? No, not his murdered parents…the origin of the character himself. Bob Kane is credited with being the sole creator of the Dark Knight. But he had a secret much like Bruce Wayne, he didn’t do it alone. Bill Finger had more than just a little input when it came time to the final design. Not to say Kane didn’t have a lot to do with it, just that he didn’t do it alone. Some very important aspects of the Batman we know today came from Finger. That iconic cowl and cape, for instance. Thank Bill Finger for that. Commissioner Gordon? Yep, that was Bill’s doing. How about Gotham? Do you like the name? That was Bill, too. In fact, he shaped a lot more than anyone ever knew. He was uncredited the whole time, though in later life Bob Kane did say he would have credited him if given the chance to do it over again.
But here’s the point to all this. The Comic Arts Council has started a Kickstarter to raise funds to tell the world all about this. No, not just tell…to teach the world. The Cape Creator: The Truth About Bat-Maker Bill Finger is to be a tribute film that gives us all a chance to set things straight and give credit where credit is long past due. I’m pretty passionate about the things I love and Batman holds a solid place on that list. Batman fans are everywhere and I know at least a few of you fall into that only slightly smaller category of being Batman comic fans, too. To that end, don’t you want to give this man the honor he deserves?
Continue reading for more and to see the Kickstarter video.
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