Batman’s Bill Finger to Get Credit from DC

DC Entertainment has announced that Bill Finger will finally receive official credit for his work developing Batman and Green Lantern.

In a press release given to The Hollywood Reporter, DC detailed that Finger would receive credit in upcoming film and television projects, including Gotham and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice:

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.”

Finger’s work has recently drawn more attention due mainly to the biography Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman, who has been a very vocal advocate of Finger and his contributions to the Batman mythology. Finger died in 1974, and because of the original deal with Batman co-creator Bob Kane, never received credit for his work.

Kane, in his autobiography Batman and Me (1989), said Finger was “a contributing force” and noted “I must admit that Bill never received the fame and recognition he deserved.”

That “contributing force” included coming up with the names Bruce Wayne and Gotham City, as well as co-creating Robin, Catwoman, and the Joker. Finger, along with Joker co-creator Jerry Robinson, never received the credit they were due in the course of the Batman’s 75-year history. It appears that DC (and Marvel, with their acknowledgement of Jack Kirby) finally has turned the corner in being able to recognize the work of many of the creators of their iconic characters.

Even though Finger’s contributions have been acknowledged by the folks at DC Comics, it’s been a legal issue to formally recognize Finger’s work due to the wording of the contract with Bob Kane’s estate. What form the credit for Finger will take is unknown, but it likely won’t include a “created by” for the Batman character himself.

Gotham returns to Fox September 21 at 8pm. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be released March 23, 2016.