Batman is one of the most iconic fictional characters in the world. He had dedicated his life to an endless crusade, a war on all criminals in the name of his murdered parents, who were taken from him when he was just a child. But did you know who created Batman’s Suit and the concept of Gotham City?
Bob Kane did not design Batman’s costume, incredible toolkit, or secret identity. He didn’t even design Gotham City. All of these inventions were the work of Bill Finger, who passed away impoverished, while Kane tried to hide Finger’s contribution to the character’s birth.
Did Bob Kane Steal the Concept of Batman from Someone Else?
A shocking truth was revealed in the Hulu documentary Batman and Bill. The most heinous villain in Gotham is not the Joker, the Penguin, or the Riddler, but Batman’s creator, Bob Kane. Kane rose to prominence in the years following Batman’s debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939, becoming almost as well-known as the Caped Crusader himself. But Kane was not the only one responsible for Gotham’s masked vigilante. He had nothing to do with what makes the crime fighter so memorable: his costume, arsenal of cool gadgets, or secret identity. He did not even design Gotham City.
All of these creations are the work of Bill Finger, whose identity is as well-kept as Batman’s secret identity, Bruce Wayne. Finger was responsible for the creation of Batman, Robin, and villains such as The Joker, Penguin, and Two-Face. Nonetheless, Kane received full credit. Kane did everything he could to suppress Finger’s involvement for the rest of his life, and 15 years after his death, living a life of luxury and being praised as the sole creator of Batman. Finger, on the other hand, died impoverished and unknown.
According to Kane’s tombstone, Bob Kane, Bruce Wayne, and Batman are all one and the same. But the game has changed: Kane now claims credit for everything great about Batman. Everything he didn’t make. But should we dismiss him so easily? Was Kane’s marketing ability sufficient to make Batman a success? If that’s the case, both men possessed the special abilities required to make Batman famous. (Source: Bold Entrance)
Kane-Batman or Finger-Batman?
Kane came up with the idea but was limited in his abilities. And he was aware of it. Inspired by the popularity of Superman in 1939, Kane saw an opportunity to replicate the success. Kane created The Bat-Man after being inspired by Zorro, Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings, and a 1937 film called The Bat Whispers.
But he didn’t look like the Batman we know today. Kane’s costume consisted of a red jumpsuit, a domino mask, and two rigid bat wings attached to his back. This is obviously not the Bat suit we’re used to seeing. And let’s face it, a man wearing a bright red jumpsuit is not exactly how you picture a bat.
Kane knew the look needed a considerable overhaul. So he called Finger, a ghostwriter he met at a previous party. Kane was impressed by Finger. He was self-taught, well-read, and a skilled writer.
Kane quickly formed a partnership following the party. He sought Finger’s advice for a Rusty and Pals comic strip he was working on–the duos’ first collaboration. While Kane assisted the shoe salesman in finally becoming a full-time writer, the benefits of the relationship would soon tip heavily in Kane’s favor with Batman. (Source: Bold Entrance)
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