Entertainment (Q&A)

Answer:

Bob Kane and Bill Finger created the character Batman. Both were comic book artists and writers. Finger used to work for Kane in his studio. Bob Kane is widely known as Batman’s creator and Finger is often known as the uncredited co-creator of Batman. This however is not true as admitted by Kane and other members of the media.

The need for Batman arose in early 1939 when Superman was a great success. DC comics which featured Superman in Action Comics were looking for new superheroes for their comics. Bob Kane had an idea for a new superhero called Batman. He called Bill Finger to show his drawing of the character. Finger The character looked a lot like Superman with red coloured tights, a small domino mask, two stiff wings sticking out which gave the look of batwings. It was swinging on a rope.

Finger offered the following suggestion to Kane:

• Batman should have a cowl and scalloped cape instead of wings
• Gloves on hands
• Blank eyeholes in the mask to give a mysterious look
• Gray-and-black colour scheme for the costume instead of the bright red

Finger also came up with Batman’s civilian name, Bruce Wayne. Bill Finger wrote the first Batman story while Kane provided the art. Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 and proved a tremendous hit.

In creating Batman Bob Kane was influenced by:

• 1930 film - The Bat Whispers
• Actor Douglas Fairbanks' movie portrayal of the swashbuckler Zorro
  Leonardo Da Vinci's diagram of the Ornithopter, a flying machine with huge bat-like wings

Finger was influenced by Lee Falk's The Phantom while providing the suggestions.

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