Batman. Night Serenade

The definitive account of the creation of the Dark Knight.

I n the 1930s, Bob Kane created Batman. That’s what everyone believes, that’s what appears in the credits of every comic book, movie, television series, or merchandising related to the character, but no one knows that it’s not entirely true. Kane had the help of Bill Finger, one of the best screenwriters the comic book world has ever seen, and yet one of the best-kept secret identities to date. Finger lived in anonymity throughout his life and died alone, poor, and without any official recognition for his participation in the creation of the character. This essay Batman: Night Serenade features an exclusive introduction by Roy Thomas, editor and writer for DC Comics and Marvel, and interviews with various people who were close to Finger, such as his granddaughter Athena Finger, and the son of Jerry Robinson who created the Joker with Finger.