Book Summary:
This is a biography about Milton, Bill, Finger and his journey co-creating Batman. A lot of the ideas that makes batman great came from Bill, but he was an anonymous writer and was kept behind the scenes for most of his career. It tells the story of how Bill died, but also how he was recognized after his death. Bill did not push during his career, but fans pushed for him. He is now widely known and there is even a Bill Finger Awards to honor him and given out to those who write comics.
APA Reference of Book:
Nobleman, M. T. (2012). Bill the boy wonder: The secret co-creator of Batman. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Impressions:
This book was well done created like a comic book to match the person it was about. I liked the style for example on the first page where it stated his chosen name Bill was 'Secret Identity 1', and again later in the story 'Secret Identity 2'. The illustrations helped tell the story. The text told a great deal of the story, but the illustrations successfully enhanced it. Nobleman successfully transitioned between fact and opinion with his word choices. This book was very enjoyable. I enjoyed learning about this history of Batman's creation, and I think Bill Finger has a great story to tell. It seems that he was content with being in the background and letting Bob get all the credit, but credit should go where credit is deserved. Bill Finger has done amazing work and his creation remains popular to this day. It really is impressive.
Professional Review:
CHILDREN'S & TEEN
BILL THE BOY WONDER The Secret Co-Creator of Batman Nobleman, Marc Tyler Illus. by Templeton, Ty Charlesbridge(48 pp.) $17.95 $9.99 e-book Jul. 1, 2012 978-1-58089-289-6 978-1-60734-446-9 e-book
It turns out that Batman--the orphaned, shadowy, well-heeled defender of an embattled Gotham--had another embarrassment of riches: two fathers.
Spend any time with Batman in DC Comics and you will have seen it: "Created by Bob Kane." Only half true. Cartoonist Bob did come up with a prototype, but it was writer Bill Finger who fashioned Batman into the night-tripping, class-and-trash, hero-and-villain intimidator in the pointy-eared cowl whom we have come to love, the superhero without superpowers. This testament to credit due from Nobleman is seriously researched--as the six-page author's note attests--yet light on its feet, and the artwork from Templeton has all the lush, emotive brushwork one expects from Batman. But what makes this sketch of Finger so memorable is its intimacy with the characters, the way in which it coaxes out an engaging vulnerability in Finger and, by association, with Batman. "Bob's greatest talent may have been the ability to recognize other talent. His greatest flaw may have been the inability to honor that talent. Bill's greatest flaw may have been the inability to defend his talent. His greatest talent was the ability to forge legends."
Though Finger has been a known commodity to comics cognoscenti for years, this salute in his own format will make the lasting impression he deserves. (Graphic biography. 8 & up)
[Review of the book Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by M. Nobleman]. (2012). Kirkus Reviews, 80(12), 1271. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com
Library Uses: Graphic Novel club, talking about creators of famous superheroes and maybe working on creating a superhero of our own.
No comments:
Post a Comment