Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Charlesbridge (2012), Edition: 1st, 48 pages
Description
Recounts the life of the unrecognized co-creator of the Batman comic strip and details the author's quest to find out more about him.
Awards
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Informational Books — 2014)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2014)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2013)
Language
Lexile
L
User reviews
LibraryThing member jugglingpaynes
Bill the Boy Wonder is a beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the story of Bill Finger, who had helped create the comic superhero Batman. The book's simple language and comic panel design illustrations work well to relate the story of Bill, from his early life, growing up in the
Having just read Larry Tye's book on Superman and his creators, I had a good idea about the time period, the politics at (what would eventually become) DC comics, and the unfairness suffered by artists and writers in the comics industry. Bill the Boy Wonder was a refreshing change of pace. It tells the story chronologically and helps young readers understand the need creators have for truth and recognition. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Batman or comic book history, and it is a good story for children regarding the importance of truth and fairness.
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Depression, to his silent partnership with Bob Kane and the Batman fans who worked diligently to get him the recognition he deserves. The last section of the book discusses author Nobleman's work in researching Bill's life, which is as interesting as the story itself and gives a little extra for children (and their parents) who want to learn more. There is also a bibliography for the reader that wants to do his own research.Having just read Larry Tye's book on Superman and his creators, I had a good idea about the time period, the politics at (what would eventually become) DC comics, and the unfairness suffered by artists and writers in the comics industry. Bill the Boy Wonder was a refreshing change of pace. It tells the story chronologically and helps young readers understand the need creators have for truth and recognition. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Batman or comic book history, and it is a good story for children regarding the importance of truth and fairness.
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LibraryThing member Death_By_Papercut
This is an important book. Especially for comic fans. I’d venture to say there should be more books like this; that have the balls to tactfully but aggressively give credit where it has long been due. It’s done in the style of a children’s picture book. Which means it’s short and to the
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point. It has some interesting history for comic fans & pays a nice tribute to one of comic’s most important pioneers. The book itself is well put together, nicely printed and uses thick, high quality paper. I say cheers to Mr. Nobleman for all his hard work! Show Less
LibraryThing member haiirouchuujin
I received Bill the Boy Wonder through Librarything's Early Readers program that gives members the chance to win a free book before publication in return for a review.
Honestly I was surprised when this arrived as I thought I'd won it because the website's program chose me based on the books in my
I'm sure that this is the sort of book that I'd have devoured at the age of six or seven.
While the book is mainly about how Bill Finger was really the main writer and creator of Batman and how Bob Kane took all the credit for himself, there's lots of material about the creation of Batman and Robin and the development of those characters in the golden and silver ages.
For the grown up me, however, the best part of the book was the author's note at the end. It is essentially a terrific fanzine article about his search for information about Finger and what he found.
He also includes many never-before-seen photos. Or at least all the ones he was able to find.
This author's note is packed with new and interesting information.
Nobleman should also be thanked for finding Finger's granddaughter and helping to see that Finger's residuals from DC Comics were redirected to her.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the whole package though. It's half kids picture book and half serious comic book scholarship for adults.
I think that this would have been a better project if it were split into a kids picture book about the entire history and development of Batman and all the folks who helped create it and a lengthy book for adults detailing the creative side of DC comics over the years.
Nobleman obviously has the research chops to do justice to a still-shrouded part of comic book history.
His author's note was so interesting that I'd love to see what he could do with a chapter on Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nickolson, one on Donenfeld and Liebowitz, a look at the Siegel and Schuster story, Marsten, and all the other creators, particularly the less well-known or recognized ones, the hook-up between National and All-American, and the Captain Marvel and Wonder Man lawsuits. There has to be a lot more buried stories and Nobleman seems to have a knack for digging them up. It'd be nice to see him try.
Honestly I was surprised when this arrived as I thought I'd won it because the website's program chose me based on the books in my
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library on pulp and comic book history. It turns out that this is really a kids picture book.I'm sure that this is the sort of book that I'd have devoured at the age of six or seven.
While the book is mainly about how Bill Finger was really the main writer and creator of Batman and how Bob Kane took all the credit for himself, there's lots of material about the creation of Batman and Robin and the development of those characters in the golden and silver ages.
For the grown up me, however, the best part of the book was the author's note at the end. It is essentially a terrific fanzine article about his search for information about Finger and what he found.
He also includes many never-before-seen photos. Or at least all the ones he was able to find.
This author's note is packed with new and interesting information.
Nobleman should also be thanked for finding Finger's granddaughter and helping to see that Finger's residuals from DC Comics were redirected to her.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the whole package though. It's half kids picture book and half serious comic book scholarship for adults.
I think that this would have been a better project if it were split into a kids picture book about the entire history and development of Batman and all the folks who helped create it and a lengthy book for adults detailing the creative side of DC comics over the years.
Nobleman obviously has the research chops to do justice to a still-shrouded part of comic book history.
His author's note was so interesting that I'd love to see what he could do with a chapter on Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nickolson, one on Donenfeld and Liebowitz, a look at the Siegel and Schuster story, Marsten, and all the other creators, particularly the less well-known or recognized ones, the hook-up between National and All-American, and the Captain Marvel and Wonder Man lawsuits. There has to be a lot more buried stories and Nobleman seems to have a knack for digging them up. It'd be nice to see him try.
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LibraryThing member BratGirlC
Much like Boys of Steel this book profiles a little known contributor to the creation of Batman. Milton "Bill" Finger came up with the look, feel, and most of the early stories of Batman, yet was not credited with it until after his death.
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
Just my favorite kind of picture book biography (one that features an unsung figure) and one done extremely well. Bill Finger was an almost completely uncredited writer and co-creator of the Batman comic books. This picture-book biography, illustrated with comic-like pictures, was the result of
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years of detailed sleuthing on the part of the author. The text and images work extremely well together and a substantive author's note explains how he ferreted out the details of Bill Finger's brief life. Highly recommended for comic book fans! Show Less
LibraryThing member guyalice
Bill the Boy Wonder, written by Marc Tyler Nobleman and illustrated by Ty Templeton, is a fantastic picture book biography of Bill Fingerman, the “secret co-creator of Batman.” Templeton’s illustrations are diverse enough to capture both historical accounts and colorful recreations from
This is a well-researched book, too, with an extensive author’s note at the end detailing all the research that went into writing it. While a great emphasis of the book is about how Fingerman was cheated out of receiving credit for his role in Batman, it also covers his inspirations and creative process, and it‘s fascinating to think of all the things that culminated in some of pop-culture‘s most famous images.
The book is actually more positive towards Bob Kane than other books I’ve read, and it really emphasizes more on the positive of Fingerman‘s life, which I think is the better approach to make. The authorship of comics, especially in terms of who created a creator, is complicated because it often involves a team working for a company, and it is likely that the company holds the creative control over the character. This can lead to many writers, artists, or their heirs not seeing a cent of the millions a company makes from comics, merchandise, and movies featuring their characters and storylines. I hope with books like this and researchers like Marc Tyler Nobleman, creators will get the recognition they’ve earned for helping shape our culture and imaginations.
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classic comics. It’s a handsomely produced work, with its text captions and blocking resembling comic book panels. This is truly an all-ages book in that adults interested in comic book history are likely to get more out to the book from kids, but it’s still enjoyable and engaging enough for younger readers.This is a well-researched book, too, with an extensive author’s note at the end detailing all the research that went into writing it. While a great emphasis of the book is about how Fingerman was cheated out of receiving credit for his role in Batman, it also covers his inspirations and creative process, and it‘s fascinating to think of all the things that culminated in some of pop-culture‘s most famous images.
The book is actually more positive towards Bob Kane than other books I’ve read, and it really emphasizes more on the positive of Fingerman‘s life, which I think is the better approach to make. The authorship of comics, especially in terms of who created a creator, is complicated because it often involves a team working for a company, and it is likely that the company holds the creative control over the character. This can lead to many writers, artists, or their heirs not seeing a cent of the millions a company makes from comics, merchandise, and movies featuring their characters and storylines. I hope with books like this and researchers like Marc Tyler Nobleman, creators will get the recognition they’ve earned for helping shape our culture and imaginations.
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LibraryThing member missbrandysue
This story traces the life of Bill Finger, arguably the co-founder of Batman, the comic book character. Although it is controversial the story traces the life of Bill and makes the case that he deserves credit for his creations.
I loved this book! It's the perfect reading level and interest level
I loved this book! It's the perfect reading level and interest level
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for my 3rd grade students! I can't wait to see its popularity with my students! Fantastic book! Show Less
LibraryThing member csp17
This is a short, quick biography about Bill Finger, co-founder of Batman. It is a picture book that looks like a comic book. I don't think this is a book meant for adults, though I think it would be a very quick, interesting read. I think this is a great biography book for students. It's about a
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topic that I think would be interesting for them, and not too long or difficult. I personally liked the additional information at the end of the book--the author tells of his research process and the information he found along the way. Show Less
LibraryThing member verucas_chaos
I like graphic/picture books that tell the story or give information through "comic. In the end I wasn't sure the focus was quite there (seemed to bounce back and forth between several issues), still I think it is well done and enjoyable!
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Great story about the co-creator of Batman who never got the recognition or rewards he deserved until after his death. Nicely designed and illustrated. I understand the reason for the author's word play but his use of "bat" really got on my nerves.
LibraryThing member Stevil2001
Bill the Boy Wonder is an odd book. It sort of promises to be a biography of Bill Finger, the man who created Batman along with Bill Kane and wrote many, many of his early stories. But it seems that we don't really know all that much about Bill Finger. Much of the book ends up focusing on the
It's immaculately researched, though, as the Author's Note at the end makes clear, and it seems unlikely that we'll ever known enough about Finger to create a full-length biography of the man. So this is a nice little tribute, and I'm glad I read it, even if I'm uncertain as to what to do with it beyond that. Ty Templeton's illustrations are great. I've only encountered his art sporadically, but I've always liked it when I've seen it.
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credit dispute between Finger and Kane-- if "dispute" is the right word, given that Kane always asserted that he solely created Batman and Finger rarely said anything to contradict that. It's appalling the extent to which Bill Finger's role in the creation of the Bat-Man has been elided, but I don't know if a children's picture book is the place for that dispute to be played out.It's immaculately researched, though, as the Author's Note at the end makes clear, and it seems unlikely that we'll ever known enough about Finger to create a full-length biography of the man. So this is a nice little tribute, and I'm glad I read it, even if I'm uncertain as to what to do with it beyond that. Ty Templeton's illustrations are great. I've only encountered his art sporadically, but I've always liked it when I've seen it.
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LibraryThing member Tammie14
This was an informative book, but I found it a little boring. I found it boring because the writing was dry, like a textbook. I did learn some interesting facts about Bill, the illustrator of Batman, that I found interesting. I found it amusing that Bill came up with the name of Gotham City out of
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a phone book. I also liked that the book informed the reader that Bill often consulted his young son, Henry, in his writing and illustrations, in order to keep in touch with a child’s perspective. I also enjoyed that the book was laid out like a comic book, using comic panels and text blocks. The overall message of this book was to inform the reader of Bill Finger, co-creator of Batman. Show Less
LibraryThing member SusanSherwood
Summary: Tells of the creator of the Batman comic book stories, and how one person took all the credit for creating these comic book stories loved by so many.
Personal Reaction: Tells the story of how people during the great depression had to work hard to make a living. Sometimes creating make
Extension Ideas: Introduce students to the aspects of the great depression. Also teach them a little bit about using your own name when you create something original.
Personal Reaction: Tells the story of how people during the great depression had to work hard to make a living. Sometimes creating make
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believe characters people would want to be like. Extension Ideas: Introduce students to the aspects of the great depression. Also teach them a little bit about using your own name when you create something original.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So Bill Finger is the co creator of Batman. This picture book talks about his contributions to Batman and other people's attempts to get him recognized as co creator since he himself was not very focused on it. I found the whole thing very interesting and hope that someone does an adult book on him
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soon. The authors notes about tracking down both and heir and photos of Bill were also very interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So Bill Finger is the co creator of Batman. This picture book talks about his contributions to Batman and other people's attempts to get him recognized as co creator since he himself was not very focused on it. I found the whole thing very interesting and hope that someone does an adult book on him
Show More
soon. The authors notes about tracking down both and heir and photos of Bill were also very interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So Bill Finger is the co creator of Batman. This picture book talks about his contributions to Batman and other people's attempts to get him recognized as co creator since he himself was not very focused on it. I found the whole thing very interesting and hope that someone does an adult book on him
Show More
soon. The authors notes about tracking down both and heir and photos of Bill were also very interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So Bill Finger is the co creator of Batman. This picture book talks about his contributions to Batman and other people's attempts to get him recognized as co creator since he himself was not very focused on it. I found the whole thing very interesting and hope that someone does an adult book on him
Show More
soon. The authors notes about tracking down both and heir and photos of Bill were also very interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member SESchend
Sad that the only biography I can track down on Bill Finger is this graphic novel written for grade school kids. The man who created so much of the Batman mythos deserves vastly better than this.
That said, if you know nothing about Bill Finger, this is a good place to start.
That said, if you know nothing about Bill Finger, this is a good place to start.
LibraryThing member melodyreads
thoughtful book
LibraryThing member wademlee
A bit of a mish-mash... the subject of the book is really copyright law, creator credit, and attribution, but since this is in the world of comic books, this is presented as a juvenile book. The tone is both didactic and silly, with forced puns and a narration that casts this dispute as a classic
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comic book story with heroes and villains. This is really a magazine article re-cast as a children's book; the topic is of little to no interest to children, however, and overall feels more like a vanity project to seek vindication for a forgotten artist. Show Less
LibraryThing member shazzerwise
As posted on Outside of a Dog:
Every comic book fan should know the name Bill Finger. That many don’t is a sad state of affairs, but one author Marc Tyler Nobleman is trying to improve. With Bill the Boy Wonder, Nobleman reveals the true origins of Batman, and exposes Bill Finger’s hand in
Every comic book fan should know the name Bill Finger. That many don’t is a sad state of affairs, but one author Marc Tyler Nobleman is trying to improve. With Bill the Boy Wonder, Nobleman reveals the true origins of Batman, and exposes Bill Finger’s hand in
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creating one of the most famous fictional characters of all time. Along with Ty Templeton’s expert comic illustrations, Nobleman goes a long way towards righting a long standing wrong and giving Finger credit where credit is due. The story and facts are presented in an easily digestible fashion (though some children may have a hard time understanding why Bob Kane would claim sole credit when it simply wasn’t true). All in all, Bill the Boy Wonder is a very enjoyable book, smart and visually appealing. After this and Boys of Steel, I’m looking forward to seeing if Nobleman has any other real life comic stories to tell. Show Less
ISBN
1580892892 / 9781580892896