Milton "Bill" Finger (February 8, 1914 – approximately January 18, 1974) was a notable American comic book writer renowned for his collaboration with Bob Kane in the creation of the iconic DC Comics character, Batman. Although Finger was instrumental in developing the character's rich narrative, intricate world-building, and overall design, he often found himself in the shadows, frequently labeled a ghostwriter on many comics, including those featuring Batman and the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott.
In a private interview during the 1980s, Kane conceded that Finger contributed an estimated "50–75% of all the creativity in Batman." However, for many years, he publicly portrayed Finger as merely a subcontractor executing his ideas. Consequently, Finger passed away in relative obscurity and financial hardship, while the Batman franchise and Kane garnered significant fame and fortune.
In the 2000s, biographer Marc Tyler Nobleman’s investigative work revealed previously unknown heirs to Finger's legacy. Encouraged by Nobleman's findings, along with support from the online comics community, Finger's granddaughter took up the cause to reclaim her grandfather's rightful legacy. This campaign unfolded over several years. In 2015, the parent company of DC Comics tentatively acknowledged Finger's claim to co-creation of the Batman characters and lore, officially adding his name to the "created by" credit line previously secured by Kane in 1939.
