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Marc Tyler Nobleman
Nobleman at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Pennsylvania, 2017
Nobleman at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Pennsylvania, 2017
Born1972 (age 51–52)
Hartford, Connecticut, US[1]
Occupationwriter and speaker
NationalityAmerican
EducationBrandeis University
Children2
Website
www.noblemania.com

Marc Tyler Nobleman (born 1972)[2] is an American author and speaker. His book Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman is the first[3][4][5] published biography of Bill Finger, the initially anonymous co-creator and original writer of Batman. It is the basis[6][7] of the Hulu documentary Batman & Bill, which chronicles Nobleman’s nine-year[8] campaign to get Finger’s name added to the official Batman credit line.[9][10][11][12]

Personal life

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Nobleman is Jewish. He spent his early childhood in Avon, Connecticut, then moved to Cheshire, Connecticut.[13] His first published writing was a Mother’s Day poem in The Cheshire Herald when he was nine.[14] In high school, he was a member of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) and held two regional board positions.[15] He graduated from Cheshire High School[16] and Brandeis University.[17]

Career

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Nobleman is the author of numerous nonfiction and fiction books for young readers. His publishers include Penguin Random House, Scholastic, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. His first title, The Felix Activity Book, based on characters created in Germany by author Annette Langen and illustrator Constanza Droop,[18] was published in 1996.[19]

Nobleman’s other writing credits include humor articles for Nickelodeon Magazine,[20][21][22] an episode of the TV show Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,[23] and a reference book for adults (What's the Difference?: How to Tell Things Apart That Are Confusingly Close).

He has spoken worldwide[24] at schools, conferences, and other venues including the U.S. State Department,[25] the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship,[26] and the 92nd Street Y.[27] He has given a TED Talk[28] and a Google Talk.[29]

Nobleman created, wrote, directed, and produced Songbook, a part-scripted, part-reality children's web series, in partnership with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Kwame Alexander, and Mary Rand Hess.[30]

He is also a cartoonist whose single-panel gag cartoons have appeared in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Good Housekeeping,[31] Punch, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.[32]

Effort for Batman co-creator Bill Finger

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In 2006,[33] Nobleman began researching for a nonfiction picture book about Bill Finger’s role in the creation of Batman, who debuted in 1939. Finger was also the original writer of characters including Robin, the Joker, and Catwoman; he named Gotham City and nicknamed Batman “the Dark Knight.”[34] DC Comics did not include Finger’s name in the Batman credit line during Finger’s lifetime;[35] the character was attributed solely to cartoonist Bob Kane.[36] In 1974, Finger died with little money and almost no public acknowledgement.[37][38]

Finger had one known child, Fred, who died in 1992.[39] Nobleman’s extensive[40][41] source material did not mention any living Finger heirs.[42] In 2007, Nobleman discovered that, to the contrary, Fred had a daughter, and therefore Finger had a granddaughter, named Athena, born two years after Finger died.[43] Nobleman contacted her via her MySpace page[43] and encouraged her to contact DC Comics[44] to discuss credit for her grandfather. At first she hesitated, then changed her mind.[45]

In 2008, at which time Nobleman had not yet found a publisher for his Finger manuscript,[46] he started advocating for Finger’s name to be added to the Batman credit line. This effort began on Nobleman’s blog[47] (eventually surpassing 300 posts on Finger) and social media. It later expanded to podcasts including Kevin Smith’s Fatman on Batman,[9][48] speaking engagements, and other live events including the Paley Center for Media panel in celebration of Batman’s 75th anniversary.[49]

After the manuscript received 34 rejections,[17] Charlesbridge published Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman (illustrated by Ty Templeton) in 2012.

Nobleman rallied the public to lobby for a Google Doodle to commemorate Finger’s 100th birthday in 2014. Though a substantial number of comic book fans, celebrities,[50] and media heeded the call, the campaign was ultimately unsuccessful.[51]

In 2015, after negotiating with Athena,[52][53] DC Entertainment announced that the company would begin crediting Finger alongside Kane in movies including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and TV shows including Gotham.[54] The updated credit also appears in Batman-related comic books, graphic novels, and other print publications. It reads “Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.”[55] Prior to this, DC had added creator names to characters who were originally uncredited.[56] This was the first time DC amended an existing credit.[57]

In 2017, Hulu released Batman & Bill, a documentary based on Bill the Boy Wonder. With no known footage of Finger in existence,[58] the film tells Finger’s story via Nobleman’s research and efforts to preserve Finger’s legacy. It is the first documentary based on a nonfiction picture book and Hulu’s first original documentary.[59] The film has also aired in countries including Spain,[60][61] France,[62] Australia,[63][64] and New Zealand.[65] It has been called “Citizen Kane with a twist”[66] and “probably the most important comic book movie ever made.”[67]

Later that year, as a result of a proposal Nobleman submitted[68][69] to the office of Ritchie Torres, then a New York City Council member,[70] the Bronx renamed a portion of East 192nd Street “Bill Finger Way.”[55] Though New York City was the birthplace and for decades the center of American superhero comic book publishing,[71][72] this was the first time New York honored a superhero creator with a street renaming.[73] Nobleman spoke at the sign unveiling ceremony, which drew supporters from as far as Utah.[74][75]

Selected books

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  • Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman (2008), illustrated by Ross MacDonald
  • Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman (2012), illustrated by Ty Templeton
  • Brave Like My Brother (2016)
  • The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra (2017), illustrated by Ana Aranda
  • Fairy Spell: How Two Girls Convinced the World That Fairies Are Real (2018), illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
  • Thirty Minutes Over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot’s World War II Story (2018), illustrated by Melissa Iwai

Selected honors

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  • American Library Association Notable—Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman (2008)[76]
  • Orbis Pictus Honor—Thirty Minutes Over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot’s World War II Story (2019)[77]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Jewish Man of Steel: Q & A with… Marc Tyler Nobleman". CT Jewish Ledger. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Milton, Luke (September 19, 2011). "Interview: Marc Tyler Nobleman, author of Super '70s and '80s: Original Interviews with 100 lost stars of Superhero Pop Culture!". Fruitless Pursuits. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Author battles to unmask Batman's secret co-creator". TODAY.com. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  4. ^ "The Dark Knight's Dark Secret: Bill Finger's Uncredited Role in the Story of Batman". Knowledge@Wharton. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  5. ^ "Bill Finger finally gets credit for role in creating Batman". FOX 5 New York. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  6. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2017-01-08). "'Batman & Bill': Marc Nobleman's Crusade To Unearth Uncredited Creator Of DC Superhero – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  7. ^ Wiegand, David (2017-05-03). "Holy injustice! Why co-creator of Batman deserves credit". SFGATE. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  8. ^ "Fox's 'Gotham' kicks off historic season, because Batman co-creator gets credit at last". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  9. ^ a b "How Marc Tyler Nobleman Rescued the Legacy of Batman Co-Creator Bill Finger". The Beat. 11 February 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  10. ^ "Batman & Bill: Doc Chronicles Crusade for Bill Finger's Creator Credit". CBR. 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  11. ^ White, Brett (2017-05-08). "'Batman & Bill' Is The Superhero 'Serial'". Decider. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  12. ^ Rapoport, Michael (2016-10-07). "New York Comic Con: A Batman Creator Finally Gets His Due". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  13. ^ "The Jewish Man of Steel: Q & A with… Marc Tyler Nobleman". CT Jewish Ledger. 19 June 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "Read and Shine: Marc Tyler Nobleman". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "Back to BBYO". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "Cheshire native's book inspired Batman documentary". 'Record-Journal' (Connecticut). Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "American Studies Program Alumni Profiles". Brandeis University. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "Annette Langen - Kinder- & Jugendbuchautorin". www.annettelangen.de. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  19. ^ "Happy Birthday, Marc Tyler Nobleman - March 14". Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  20. ^ "Children's author tells New Milford students to conquer rejection with persistence". News-Times. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  21. ^ "Author urges THS students to follow through on dreams | TonganoxieMirror.com". www.tonganoxiemirror.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  22. ^ "Lindy Spotlight (Lindenhurst Public Schools)" (PDF). Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  23. ^ kyurenka (2020-12-08). "Daniel's Apple-Picking Adventure – adapted by Maggie Testa, poses and layouts by Jason Fruchter". Youth Services Book Review. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  24. ^ "Meet Marc Tyler Nobleman". Scholastic. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  25. ^ "Take Your Child to Work Day at the U.S. State Department". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "Speaking on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  27. ^ "'Batman' creator revealed at the 92nd St Y". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Marc Tyler Nobleman: The story of Batman's secret creator". TED Talk. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  29. ^ "Speaking at Google: I'm feeling lucky". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  30. ^ ""Songbook" - Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts". Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "Batman, Superman, Peanuts, he's got his hand in all of it". Tomversation. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  32. ^ "Author Interview with Marc Tyler Nobleman". Author Turf. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  33. ^ "401: What a Pop Culture Archaeologist Does w/ Marc Tyler Nobleman, Bill the Boy Wonder [Main T4C episode]". Time4Coffee.org/. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  34. ^ cezaryjanstrusiewicz (2015-06-12). "5 Ways Batman's TRUE Creator Got Screwed Out Of His Legacy". Cracked.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  35. ^ "DC to Give Bill Finger Official Credit on "Batman v Superman" and "Gotham"". CBR.com (Comic Book Resources). Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  36. ^ Hinckley, David (2017-05-05). "Holy Cowl! The Villain in New 'Batman' Story Is The Guy We All Thought Created Batman!". HuffPost. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  37. ^ "Batman's Biggest Secret (No, It's Not Bruce Wayne)". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  38. ^ "1974: The man who co-created Batman dies, unsung and broke". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  39. ^ "Batman's Real Life Son Died of AIDS Complications".
  40. ^ Bennett, Tara (2017-05-08). "Hulu's Batman & Bill doc makers reveal the incredible story of Batman's true co-creator". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  41. ^ "The Batman Origin Story You've Never Heard Before". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  42. ^ ElBoghdady, Dina (2016-10-17). "How a Bethesda Author Uncovered Batman's Co-Creator". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  43. ^ a b Swenson, Kyle (2015-01-21). "Batman's True Creator Never Got Credit, and Now His Granddaughter Fights to Correct History". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  44. ^ "1974: The man who co-created Batman dies, unsung and broke". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  45. ^ "Batman & Bill: Bill Finger's Granddaughter on Quest for Creator Credit". CBR. 2017-05-07. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  46. ^ "AUTHORNOMICS Interview with Marc Tyler Nobleman". AndreaHurst.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  47. ^ "Rebuilding Bill Finger". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  48. ^ "#53: Marc Tyler Nobleman: The Fickle Finger of Fledermaus". Podchaser. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  49. ^ "Batman at 75: To All a Dark Knight panel event". PaleyCenter.org/. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  50. ^ "Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer Petitioning Google For Doodle of Batman Co-Creator Bill Finger". ComicBook.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  51. ^ "Finger didn't get a Doodle (yet), but you can help fund a documentary about him". Syfy.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  52. ^ "A dawn of justice for Batman's overlooked co-creator Bill Finger". Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  53. ^ "Batman: 10 Real Life Heroes Who Helped Bill Finger Get Credit". ScreenRant. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  54. ^ "DC Entertainment To Give Classic Batman Writer Credit in 'Gotham' and 'Batman v Superman' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  55. ^ a b Gustines, George Gene (December 13, 2017). "Out of the Batcave and Into the Bronx". New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  56. ^ "First official credit for various DC Comics superheroes". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  57. ^ "Bill Finger: Beyond the Batcave". Scoop. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  58. ^ "Batman & Bill review". Cinema76. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  59. ^ "'Batman & Bill' unmasks the dark secret behind the Dark Knight's creation". Jewish Journal. 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  60. ^ Belinchón, Gregorio (2019-09-14). "Batman: 80 años sin su auténtico padre". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  61. ^ "Who is the real anonymous hero behind Batman?". Spain's News. 2019-09-21. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  62. ^ "Batman & Bill : Toonami dévoile un documentaire inédit sur le Chevalier Noir". dccomics.warnerbros.fr (in French). 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  63. ^ "Batman & Bill". SBS Movies. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  64. ^ Hill, Kent (2018-12-13). "The Man behind The Dark Knight rises by Kent Hill". Podcasting Them Softly. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  65. ^ "Preview: Rialto Channel's Creative Minds season". RNZ. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  66. ^ "'Batman & Bill' uncovers a little-known superhero origin story". Boston Globe. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  67. ^ "Batman & Bill [review]". Cinema-Crazed.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  68. ^ "Renaming a Bronx street "Bill Finger Way"". Noblemania.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  69. ^ Rocchio, Patrick (15 December 2017). "Street renaming honor for Batman co-creator – Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  70. ^ "Tweet by Ritchie Torres". Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  71. ^ "Superhero Comic Books Wouldn't Exist Without New York City". Newsweek. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  72. ^ "Super City: The Secret Origin of Comic Books". The Bowery Boys: New York City History. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  73. ^ "Unsung 'Batman' co-creator finally getting credit he deserves". New York Post. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  74. ^ "Holy Street Sign! Bronx Road Named for Batman Creator Bill Finger". School Library Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  75. ^ McShane, Noah Goldberg, Larry (8 December 2017). "Bronx intersection renamed for unsung Batman co-creator Bill Finger". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  76. ^ "Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman: Awards". ALA.org (American Library Association)/. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  77. ^ "Announcing the 2019 NCTE Children's Book Awards". NCTE.org/. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
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