Image via Ty Temleton

The image above is a recent attempt for a Google Doodle design, in order to give credit and tribute to Bill Finger. Most avid comic book readers will know that Bill Finger is responsible for creating Batman’s defining qualities and is the creator of many of today’s well known characters. Sadly, a large part of the DC Comic franchise refers to Bob Kane as the sole creator of Batman, seeing as how he was always credited. At this year’s WonderCon in Anaheim, during a panel for the 75th anniversary of Batman, an audience member asked the panelists their views on why Finger doesn’t receive credit alongside Bob Kane.

Silence followed instantly after the question was proposed, until Larry Ganem (DC Comics) said, “We cherish what Bill Finger did and his contribution to creating Batman, and we’re all good with Finger and his family.” Finger’s granddaughter, Athena Finger, later learned of his comment and claimed Ganem’s statement of “all good” was incorrect. The following is her official statement.

“75 years of Batman! No one could have predicted the longevity and the continued relevance of this comic book hero that has become a cultural icon when my grandfather, Bill Finger, collaborated with Bob Kane back in 1939.  My grandfather has never been properly credited as the co-creator of Batman although was an open secret in the comic book industry and is widely known now.  It is now my time to come out of the shadows and speak up and end 75 years of exploitation of my grandfather, whose biggest flaw was his inability to defend his extraordinary talent.  Due to what I feel is continued mistreatment of a true artist, I am currently exploring our rights and considering how best to establish the recognition that my grandfather deserves.”

Bob Kane did take a piece out of his autobiography to dedicate and somewhat apologize to Finger, who died broke roughly 40 years ago.

“Now that my long-time friend and collaborator is gone, I must admit that Bill never received the fame and recognition he deserved. He was an unsung hero.” Regarding the issue of giving Finger official credit, Kane specifically said, “I often tell my wife, if I could go back fifteen years, before he died, I’d like to say, ‘I’ll put your name on it now. You deserve it.’”

Yesterday we gave you the trailer for the new FOX series, “Gotham.” Will there be any possibilities of crediting Finger?