Thursday, December 26, 2013

Fred Finger, son of Bill, 1948-1992

Sixty-five years ago today, the only known child of Bill Finger, Fred, was born. In 1992, he passed away at age 43. His friend Teriananda wrote a lovely tribute to him:


In that photo, he looks like Bill.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Bill Finger in Poland

In early December 2013, I received an email that lifted my spirit:
Dear Sir Nobleman,

I’m writing to you because of your book Bill the Boy Wonder

I’m 22 years old, I live in Poland and Batman is my most favourite fictional character for as long I can remember. It started with Tim Burton’s first movie and Batman: The Animated Series. When I was 10 I started collecting comic books, but Polish publisher which published Batman comic books in my language didn’t exist anymore. Few years later I learned about other publisher (which is publishing for today, but only TPBs/graphic novels format) and about buying older comics in special shops and at the Internet. Then I started looking for every information about Batman I could find. In this search, I found first (and only one for almost 10 years) Polish Batman fansite and few years later I joined its team. Now I’m one of main writers and editors. After over 10 years I learned a lot about Batman, read and bought (and still buying) comic books, played video games, watched movies and cartoons and so on...

...and for most of the time, I was very angry about how little informations there were about Bill Finger and that a lot of people who are interested in Batman and/or comic books, don’t know about him. Some time ago I learned about that you are working on book about Bill Finger (from Ty Templeton blog) and I was very excited. I was waiting for it, but I didn’t buy it at once (you know, you never have money for all things you want...). Now there’s Christmas coming and my parents wanted to know what I want. I was thinking about that case for a long time and I remembered about
Bill the Boy Wonder and as you can suspect, I will have it for this year Christmas.

Today I explored some parts of your blog and I felt the need to thank you for work you have done about Bill Finger (and not only about him). I learnt a lot thanks to you and I gained a lot of inspiration and energy for writing for BatCave (it’s the name of the Polish site I write for that I mentioned earlier) more about Finger. Especially that next year will be special, as you mentioned on your blog and Twitter—I will definitely spread the word about Google doodle idea.

I hope I didn’t bother you with my mail. Now I will just wait for Christmas...

P.S. For few year I also go for Polish cons and do as much lectures about Batman as I can to promote him and comic books in general (comic books are not very popular in our country—it was big think in 80s/90s—but it
s changing every year for better). One day I was invited to a school to make a special lecture about Batman for kindergarten and elementary school children. I did it and of course I mentioned Bill Finger and how much we owe him in case of Batman.

I asked this young man if he had photos and sure enough he did:






12/26/13 addendum:

Christmas came through!


Friday, December 20, 2013

Next step to Africa


Applying for my visa at the Tanzanian Embassy.


If the cheerfulness of the people there is any indication, I am going to appreciate my time in Tanzania even more than previously expected.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

"Batman: Brave and Bold" script #4: Batman and Captain Comet

In 2009, I finally got the chance to write for DC Comics; editor Mike Siglain commissioned four scripts for the comic based on the whimsical animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Batman and Captain Comet


I had a blast, using mostly heroes who had not appeared with Batman either on the show or in the comic the show was based on. I loved the way the series mixed and matched, often pitting Batman and a co-star against a villain who was not associated with either of them.

I got paid. I got excited.

Then the title got canceled. 

Since it is now unlikely that these stories will be published, I will share them here. All characters, of course, are copyright DC Comics. This installment: Batman and Captain Comet. 

“Don’t Comet ‘Round Here No More!”

PAGE 1

Page 1, panel 1


In a particle accelerator lab, a boomerang whizzes by.

Page 1, panel 2

In space, a comet whizzes by.

Page 1, panel 3

The boomerang snags a gun out of a security guard’s hand and begins its return.

Page 1, panel 4

The comet arcs across the sky over Earth.

Page 1, panel 5

Seconds before the boomerang reaches a black-gloved hand, a Batarang knocks it away.

Page 1, panel 6

Batman
Like your weapon, Captain Boomerang, you’re about to return to where you came from—prison.

PAGE 2

Page 2, panel 1


Captain Boomerang takes out another boomerang.

Captain Boomerang
Fighting crime the night Halley’s Comet is passing by Earth, Batman? But it’s a shame to miss that—it won’t be back for 76 years.

Batman
Bats aren’t nocturnal for the stargazing.

Page 2, panel 2

A small blade slides out of both ends of the boomerang.

SFX
Fwick!

Captain Boomerang
Here’s something to keep your eye on instead.

Page 2, panel 3

Captain Boomerang hurls the boomerang at Batman.

SFX
Fwish!

Page 2, panel 4

Batman hurls a bat-shaped magnet toward the boomerang.

Batman
The problem with your gimmick, Boomerang—it’s always predictable.

Page 2, panel 5

The magnet draws the boomerang to it.

SFX
Bing!

Page 2, panel 6

Being close to a large metal object (door, machinery, telescope-like-thing—doesn’t matter), the magnet—now attached to the boomerang—smacks against it.

SFX
Clang!

PAGE 3

Page 3, panel 1


Another boomerang rockets past Batman from behind, clipping off one of the ears of his cowl.

SFX
Fwoosh!

SFX
Clip!

Page 3, panel 2

Captain Boomerang is smirking. Batman looks genuinely surprised (and will go the rest of the story with one cowl point missing).

Captain Boomerang
I threw that one a while ago. Predictable, huh?

Page 3, panel 3

Batman (balloon 1)

You’re wasting my time, Boomerang. I was supposed to be apprehending Sportsmaster across town three and a half minutes ago.

Batman (balloon 2)
His gimmick is also dumb, but at least it’s diverse.

Page 3, panel 4

Captain Boomerang is grabbing a device about the size of his torso (the purpose of which will be revealed shortly).

Captain Boomerang
You think I’m a joke, Batman? Next time you see me, you will not be laughing.

Page 3, panel 5

Captain Boomerang kicks a boomerang out of his boot in Batman’s direction. The boomerang is generating smoke.

Captain Boomerang
And you’ll never predict why!

Page 3, panel 6

Batman is surrounded by smoke.

PAGE 4

Page 4, panel 1


As the smoke clears and the boomerang harmlessly reverses direction, Batman finds that Captain Boomerang is gone.

Page 4, panel 2

In the sky above the Batwing (that Batman is piloting away from the lab), the yellow glow of Halley’s Comet is visible—alongside another bright (but red) streak.

Page 4, panel 3

In an outdoor setting at night, Batman is knocking out Kite Man.

caption
A WEEK LATER

Batman
Hopefully that concludes Lame Props Week

Page 4, panel 4

A glowing form descends behind Batman.

Captain Comet
Batman, we have a problem.

Page 4, panel 5

Batman

Captain Comet! You need my help? Your IQ is stratospheric.

Page 4, panel 6

Captain Comet (balloon 1)

I may be the smartest man in space, but you’re the smartest man on Earth—and this matter relates to both.

Captain Comet (balloon 2)
Something is wrong with Halley’s Comet. It’s broken free of its orbit. Now it’s coming back this way, like…

PAGE 5

Page 5, panel 1


Batman
…a boomerang.

Page 5, panel 2

Captain Comet

Yes. But this time, it’s not going to pass by in the distance. It’s headed straight for Earth.

Page 5, panel 3

Captain Comet is somehow indicating “I now remember”—i.e. slapping his forehead, snapping, waving his pointer finger the air, etc.

Batman
Can’t you alter the comet’s path with your mind?

Captain Comet
That’s right—my telekinesis! I have so many powers that I sometimes lose track.

Page 5, panel 4

Batman

You just called yourself the smartest man in space.

Captain Comet
A person can be smart and forgetful at the same time. But no, my telekinesis won’t work on something that big. And my psionic blasts aren’t strong enough to reroute something that fast.

Page 5, panel 5

Batman

Then we’ve got to find Captain Boomerang.

PAGE 6

Page 6, panel 1


Batman in the Batgyro flies alongside Captain Comet.

Batman
Boomerang always takes over locations where something returns—I’ve stopped him everywhere from a recycling facility to a mail-in rebate center.

Captain Comet
Predictable and lame.

Page 6, panel 2

Batman is looking at the sky, where the returning comet, now visible, is much closer (i.e. larger and brighter) than it should be.

Batman
Not anymore.

Page 6, panel 3

Batman

We don’t have much time. Do you have super-speed?

Captain Comet
(wrinkled brow, concentrating hard)
Super-speed, super-speed…I don’t think so.

Page 6, panel 4

Batman
Super-hearing?

Captain Comet
That I do have. Wait, nope…I’m thinking of someone else.

Page 6, panel 5

Batman

Anything that could get this done quicker?

Captain Comet
Uh…let’s see…of course! I’m clairvoyant. I can see things not directly in front of me. Takes a moment…

PAGE 7

Page 7, panel 1

Captain Comet

He’s at the shore.

Batman
Of course—where the tide ebbs and flows.

Captain Comet
Not to mention where he has an unobstructed view of the sky.

Page 7, panel 2

Batman and Captain Comet arrive at the shore, where Captain Boomerang is on a boat aiming a sophisticated remote-control-like device skyward—but he looks panicked, not pernicious.

Batman
Boomerang! Divert the comet now!

Captain Boomerang
Batman in the nick of time! And you call me predictable!

Page 7, panel 3

Captain Comet lands next to Captain Boomerang as Batman jumps to the boat from his ride.

Captain Comet
You heard the man, Boomerang. Whatever you did to send the comet this way, undo it.

Captain Boomerang
I’ve been trying! But this tech I stole from that lab works only halfway!

Page 7, panel 4

Batman

What are you talking about?

Captain Boomerang
I recalibrated it to change the comet’s path but I can’t reverse it! I hate when things don’t go back where they came from!

Page 7, panel 5

Captain Boomerang smashes the device against the boat.

Page 7, panel 6

Captain Boomerang picks up one of the pieces—a small glowing puck.

Captain Boomerang
This is the power core. Somehow its signal is no longer working from a distance.

Batman
I think our last chance to save Earth is to plant the power core directly on Halley’s Comet. Captain Comet—can you get that close?

PAGE 8

Page 8, panel 1


Batman takes the power core from Captain Boomerang.

Captain Comet
I know this one! Yes! I regularly create a shield to protect myself from the extremes of space…but I couldn’t fly up to the comet in time.

Batman
Yes you can. When his crew is in danger, a captain rises to the challenge to save them. You’re so powerful that you might be able to will yourself a new ability as needed.

Page 8, panel 2

Batman hands the power core to Captain Comet.

Batman
And once this is attached, hit it with both a telekinetic and a psionic blast. I’m gambling that will act as a super-charger, sending the comet in whatever direction you choose.

Page 8, panel 3

Captain Comet takes the power core. Everyone is sweating.

Captain Comet
This is why I sought out your help, Batman. Proves how smart I am.

Page 8, panel 4

Captain Comet blasts off toward Halley’s Comet.

SFX
Zzzzzzzt!

Captain Comet
It woooooooooooorks!

Page 8, panel 5

In space, Captain Comet shoves the power core into the comet.

Page 8, panel 6

Backed away, Captain Comet blasts the power core with two kinds of blasts as Batman suggested.

PAGE 9

Page 9, panel 1


Half page showing the comet dramatically reversing course, heading back into space. Sparks and licks of intense flame flying everywhere.

Page 9, panel 2

Batman and Captain Boomerang looking up at a spectacular light show. The comet that was large last time we saw it is now a speck.

Batman
A good Captain can always change course.

Page 9, panel 3

Captain Comet returns to Batman and Captain Boomerang.

Captain Comet
I’m going to hold on to this super-speed.

Page 9, panel 4

Captain Boomerang (balloon 1)
I didn’t intend this—I didn’t want to destroy the planet! After all, I can’t get rich if I’m dead!

Captain Boomerang (balloon 2)
I just wanted to show you that I’m not a joke! And don’t forget I showed you the power core!

Batman
All you showed is that you deserve a longer sentence than ever before.

PAGE 10

Page 10, panel 1


Captain Boomerang throws boomerangs (that are giving off electric charges) at Batman and Captain Comet.

Captain Boomerang
No! That’s the one place I will never go back to!

SFX
Whzzzzzz!

Page 10, panel 2

As Batman and Captain Comet each catch one of the boomerangs, Captain Boomerang leaps overboard.

SFX
Splash!

Page 10, panel 3

Captain Comet is poised to go after Captain Boomerang but Batman is putting out his arm to stop him.

Batman
No need.

Page 10, panel 4

The heroes see a nearby Coast Guard vessel fishing Captain Boomerang out.

Page 10, panel 5

The Coast Guard captain is delivering Captain Boomerang to the (costumed) heroes.

Batman
Thank you, Captain.

Captain Comet, Captain Boomerang, Coast Guard Captain (simultaneous)
You’re welcome.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

"Batman: Brave and Bold" script #3: Batman and Zatanna

In 2009, I finally got the chance to write for DC Comics; editor Mike Siglain commissioned four scripts for the comic based on the whimsical animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Batman and Zatanna


I had a blast, using mostly heroes who had not appeared with Batman either on the show or in the comic the show was based on. I loved the way the series mixed and matched, often pitting Batman and a co-star against a villain who was not associated with either of them.

I got paid. I got excited.

Then the title got canceled. 

Since it is now unlikely that these stories will be published, I will share them here. All characters, of course, are copyright DC Comics. This installment: Batman and Zatanna.

Trouble in Reverse in Trouble!

PAGE 1

Page 1, panel 1


Evening. People enter a theater with a poster advertising “Zatanna, the Maid of Magic!” Plastered at an angle over the poster: “Tonight Only: Surprise Guest!” Among the crowd is someone conspicuously shorter and even more conspicuously dressed in an orange trench coat and purple derby hat.

Mxyzptlk
(to himself, quietly)
Surprise guest indeed! Or perhaps I should say deedni

Page 1, panel 2

Inside the theater, Mxyzptlk is at the concession stand.

theatergoer (in background)
(quietly)
Mr. Miracle is a good guess. But I bet it’s Flash.


Mxyzptlk
Stunaep, esaelp.

Page 1, panel 3

The concession stand employee looks blankly at Mxyzptlk.

Page 1, panel 4
 

Mxyzptlk
(visibly frustrated)
< sigh > Peanuts, please.

Page 1, panel 5

In the theater, Mxyzptlk takes a seat in a full house.

Zatanna (off-panel)
—will need my special surprise guest for my very first trick. Ladies and gentlemen, a man who is no stranger to danger...

PAGE 2

Page 2, panel 1

Batman swings onstage alongside Zatanna.

Zatanna
Batman!

SFX
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Page 2, panel 2

Batman
(leaning in to Zatanna)
Make this quick, Zatanna. Crime doesn’t take an intermission.

Zatanna (balloon 1)
(whispering back to Batman)
It’s only one trick. Besides, I never draw this big a crowd—rumor of you sold out the house. So try to enjoy it.

Zatanna (balloon 2)
Was raeppa!

[presume here there would be an editor’s note explaining that Zatanna speaks words backwards when casting spells]

Page 2, panel 3

A saw pops into Zatanna’s hand as Batman positions himself and his annoyed expression inside the typical coffin-like magician’s box.

Zatanna
You’ve seen a magician saw a man in half—but never a Batman!

SFX
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Page 2, panel 4

Zatanna saws.

Zatanna
Come on, Batman. Give your adoring crowd something.

Batman
(to audience)
Hnh. Uh…Killer Croc has gnawed on all my limbs. You think this is going to hurt?

SFX
HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Page 2, panel 5

Mxyzptlk gives a discreet twirl of his finger.

Page 2, panel 6

The head half of the box hits the floor.


SFX
Clunk!


The foot half hits the floor running (literally). Batman looks bewildered and Zatanna horrified.

Zatanna
Batman, my magic didn’t do this! Let me try to fix it—

PAGE 3

Page 3, panel 1

Mxyzptlk, smirking, gives another tiny finger twirl.

Page 3, panel 2

Man-Bat, Bizarro, Reverse-Flash (with the lightning bolt in his emblem mirror imaged), and Mr. Terrible (with the order of the words “FOUL PLAY” on his jacket reversed—i.e. “PLAY FOUL”) appear onstage in a poof of multicolored magic smoke. Members of the audience SHRIEK.

SFX
Aaaaiiiieeeee!

Zatanna
What now?

Page 3, panel 3

Bizarro lunges at Zatanna.

Bizarro
The magic is over, witch!

Zatanna
Orrazib pirt no epac!

Page 3, panel 4

Bizarro trips on his cape. He face plants.

SFX
Crack!

Bizarro
Oof!

Page 3, panel 5

Reverse-Flash zooms at Zatanna from behind her.

Page 3, panel 6

Batman’s upper half (now out of the box) discreetly positions his cape in Reverse-Flash’s path. (If possible, the upper half can be shown slipping out of the box in the background of whichever of the previous four panels allows for it most easily.)

PAGE 4

Page 4, panel 1


Reverse-Flash slips on the cape.

Reverse-Flash
Yo-o-o-o-o-ow!

Page 4, panel 2

Reverse-Flash is flung forward into the stage curtain. The force is pulling it down over him.

Page 4, panel 3

Mr. Terrible throws his coat around Zatanna’s head. In background, Batman’s upper half can be seen hand-walking over to a dangling stage pulley rope.

Zatanna
Mmf! Nmf!

Page 4, panel 4

Batman’s lower half (also out of the box now) trips Mr. Terrible.

Mr. Terrible
Ouch! Terrible!

Page 4, panel 5

Batman’s upper half tugs on the rope, sending the requisite stage sandbag smashing into the head of Mr. Terrible (who is on the ground from the tripping).

Mr. Terrible

Yowch! Just terrible!

PAGE 5

Page 5, panel 1


Man-Bat swoops down and grabs both halves of Batman, one in each foot.

Man-Bat
Skree! I’ll rip each half into half!

Mxyzptlk (off-panel)
Oh no you don’t, Mangy-Bat! There’s already too much mess to clean up here.

Page 5, panel 2

Mxyzptlk is floating and cross-legged in front of Man-Bat. His finger is twirling.


Mxyzptlk
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Batman together again. But none of them were as talented as Mxyzptlk!

Page 5, panel 3

Still in Man-Bat’s clutches, Batman “snaps” back together (so that Man-Bat is now holding him by the shoulders).

SFX
Snap!

Page 5, panel 4

With his feet, Batman yanks a stage light off its mount.

Batman
You’re not the only one here who can think on his feet!

Page 5, panel 5

Batman swings his legs up to smash the light into Man-Bat’s head.

SFX
Smash!

Man-Bat
Skre-e-e-e-e-e!

PAGE 6

Page 6, panel 1


Batman lands next to Zatanna. In the background, Man-Bat and stage light can be seen plummeting into Bizarro. (If possible, Bizarro can be shown staggering to his feet in the background of whichever of the previous few panels allows for it most easily.)

Batman
(quietly to Zatanna)
The only way to send Mxyzptlk back to his home in the 5th dimension is to get him to say his name backwards.

Zatanna
My specialty.

Page 6, panel 2

Mxyzptlk, still floating, zips over to Batman and Zatanna.


Mxyzptlk
I save you, Bratman, and no thank you? At least the audience appreciates me!

Page 6, panel 3

Looking over the shoulders of Batman, Zatanna, and Mxyzptlk into a now-nearly empty theater.

Page 6, panel 4

Mxyzptlk (from left side of panel) glares at the two remaining audience members (on the right). The audience members are feebly clapping.


Mxyzptlk
I said at least the audience appreciates me!

SFX
Clap…clap…clap…?

Page 6, panel 5

Batman
Bizarro spoke properly and Man-Bat, well, spoke. Those weren’t the real villains.
 

Mxyzptlk
So? They were still threats and I bravely if uncharacteristically helped stop them so now you owe me.

Zatanna
Don’t act the hero, Mxyzptlk. I can tell you conjured them in the first place. What do you want?

Page 6, panel 6
 

Mxyzptlk (balloon 1)
When you speak backwards, big things happen. When I do, either nothing happens—or I’m sent back to the fifth dimension. Both are the opposite of fun!
 

Mxyzptlk (balloon 2)
So all I want, Zatannuts, is the teeny tiny key to your magic.

PAGE 7

Page 7, panel 1


Batman
Your nicknames are more painful than the saw, Mxyzptlk. How’d you like it if we called you something corny like My Pixie Stick, Sir-Myx-a-Lick, or Kltpzyxm?


Mxyzptlk
My Pixie Stick is not even close to a true rhyme. Sir-Myx-a-Lick is a bit better, but a bit dated. And Kltp…ah ah ah. Now come on. Do you think I’m stupid?

Page 7, panel 2


Zatanna
That depends. Who picked out your outfit?
 

Mxyzptlk
Look who’s talking.

Batman
Mxyzptlk, if you thought you could get Zatanna to “repay” you by revealing how her backwards spells work—

Page 7, panel 3

Zatanna
—thus giving you the power to stay here forever, the answer is no way.
 

Mxyzptlk
Not fair, Zatannoying!

Batman
This explains why you used only reverse-themed villains. You have backwards on the brain.

Page 7, panel 4

Mxyzptlk summons up a big blue ribbon or medal labeled “World’s Greatest Detective” stuck on Batman’s costume.
 

Mxyzptlk
You’ve really earned it this time, Brightman. And I’ve earned one myself.

Page 7, panel 5

Mxyzptlk summons up another (much bigger) blue ribbon or medal labeled “Multiverse’s Greatest Magical Being Despite the Lack of Just One Ability Who Will Keep Bugging You Until You Help Me Acquire It So I Can Escape My Home World for Good.”

Page 7, panel 6

Batman
You know, Mxyzptlk, I’ve met others from the fifth dimension. Unlike you, none of them have whined about it.

Zatanna
And I’ve actually been there. It’s hardly horrible. In fact, the parts I saw were lovely.

PAGE 8

Page 8, panel 1


Mxyzptlk is steaming.
 

Mxyzptlk
Whine, huh? Hardly horrible, huh? Fine, superheadaches! See for yourselves!

Page 8, panel 2

Mxyzptlk grabs a wrist each of Batman and Zatanna.
 

Mxyzptlk
Kltpzyxm!

Page 8, panel 3

caption
5th DIMENSION

Zatanna
Great idea, Batman.

Batman
Great job following along, Zatanna.

Page 8, panel 4
 

Mxyzptlk
Now hold on, dulltastic duo! You didn’t trick me. I chose to come back.

Zatanna
You’re finally showing some sense. And we’ll be leaving now. Nruter Namtab dna em ot
 

Mxyzptlk
Not so fast! Not before I show you why I brought you here. Things have changed

Page 8, panel 5

The three round a hill to see a field of what must be hundreds of imps that resemble Mxyzptlk, only that half are wearing the reverse color scheme (purple dominant with orange trim) of his outfit. The “oranges” and the “purples” are playing practical jokes on each other—some familiar (pies in faces, squirting lapel flowers, tripping, even wedgieing if possible to show) and others possible only in the fifth dimension (magically removing pants, replacing ears with ears of corn, floating upside down, and other hijinks the artist would enjoy drawing).

Mxyzptlk looks distressed and clasps the sides of his head as if he’s witnessing the pinnacle of madness.
 

Mxyzptlk
It’s uncivil war!

PAGE 9

Page 9, panel 1


Zatanna
But it’s just pranksters like you.
 

Mxyzptlk (balloon 1)
Exactly! Here, I’m nobody special—I’m just like Zkpymtlx who acts the same as Tzlmykxp who is the spitting image of Kltpzyxm. Where is the fun is that?
 

Mxyzptlk (balloon 2)
I’ll tell you where—in your dimension, where I’m one of a kind!

Page 9, panel 2

Batman (balloon 1)
Now I get why you’d want out of this place. When everyone is alike, it’s easy to lose sense of who you are. Differences help us feel human—and, er, whatever you are. 


Batman (balloon 2)
So we’ll help end this war.

Zatanna
But only if you promise never to return to our dimension.
 

Mxyzptlk
You make it fun here and it’s a deal. To the prankfield!

Page 9, panel 3

As Mxyzptlk leads Batman and Zatanna down to the melee, a jumbo pie hurtles toward them. Zatanna, distracted by Mxyzptlk’s question, doesn’t notice it.
 

Mxyzptlk
(to Zatanna)
Can’t you put a stop to all this just by casting a quick spell?

Page 9, panel 4

Zatanna is covered in pie and looking as happy about it as you would.

Zatanna
I’m not that powerful.

Batman
No matter how long it takes, we’ll get it done.

Page 9, panel 5

Pie bits fly off Zatanna and reassemble into an intact, floating pie.

Zatanna
But first: Naelc eip ffo em!

PAGE 10

Page 10, panel 1


Batman deflecting several thrown pies (or, for variety, slicing off several squirting flower lapels) with a skillfully thrown Batarang.

Page 10, panel 2

Zatanna (looking out of corner of her eye in disgust/modesty) repantsing several imps.

Zatanna
Stnap og kcab no sgel!

Page 10, panel 3

Mxyzptlk switching back transposed heads of several imps.
 

Mxyzptlk
(small print to indicate exasperation)
You know, you could’ve fixed this yourselves.

Page 10, panel 4

With the field of imps now standing at peace, Zatanna’s final act is bringing some diversity to their outfits (i.e. colors beyond orange and purple).

Zatanna
Dda erom sroloc!

Page 10, panel 5
 

Mxyzptlk
Thank you, superhelpers. And now that the Zatmanna team and I are chummy colleagues, feel free to finally share the secret to effective backwards spellcasting.

Page 10, panel 6

Batman
I believe Zatanna was already clear on that, but put another way: tegrof ti.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

"Batman: Brave and Bold" script #2: Batman and Animal Man

In 2009, I finally got the chance to write for DC Comics; editor Mike Siglain commissioned four scripts for the comic based on the whimsical animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Batman and Animal Man


I had a blast, using mostly heroes who had not appeared with Batman either on the show or in the comic the show was based on. I loved the way the series mixed and matched, often pitting Batman and a co-star against a villain who was not associated with either of them.

I got paid. I got excited.

Then the title got canceled. 

Since it is now unlikely that these stories will be published, I will share them here. All characters, of course, are copyright DC Comics. This installment: Batman and Animal Man.

“The Big Time Hits Gotham!”

PAGE 1

Page 1, panel 1


On a mountain road at night, Titano lumbers past a sign “Gotham City 24 miles.”

Page 1, panel 2

Titano sees a green glow from around the next curve. His thought bubble shows a Green Lantern emblem followed by a question mark.

Page 1, panel 3

Rounding the curve, he sees the equally huge Chemo also making his way to Gotham.

Page 1, panel 4

Chemo’s “speech” bubble shows him (in perhaps a more cartoony style than the story proper) wreaking havoc in Gotham (so another sign must be visible).

Page 1, panel 5

Titano’s “speech” bubble shows him (also in the cartoonier style) wreaking havoc in the same setting from Chemo’s bubble.

PAGE 2

Page 2, panel 1


Titano and Chemo rush at each other to fight for the privilege of razing Gotham.

Page 2, panel 2

Titano whacks Chemo (with his feet, perhaps?).

SFX
Bwang!

Page 2, panel 3

Chemo smacks Titano.

SFX

Fwhack!

Page 2, panel 4

Titano’s speech bubble visually conveying “Let’s flip a coin.” [However, if you agree, I would love to delete this panel to withhold the reason why they want the giant coin—until we can SHOW it. It’ll be obvious to some from the next panel, but for everyone else, I’d love to save the reveal for the actual moment when they use the coin. That’s a funnier payoff.]

Page 2, panel 5

Chemo’s speech bubble visually conveying “I heard there’s a giant penny in the Batcave.” (Perhaps it can show Joker telling him?)

Page 2, panel 6

Titano and Chemo peeking into different caves.

PAGE 3

Page 3, panel 1


Batman is staring up into the darkness.

caption
The Batcave (or instead of words, can repeat the image that represented it in Chemo’s speech bubble)

Batman
Progress report?

Animal Man (unseen—from darkness)
Trained—except for one thing. So tell me…

Page 3, panel 2

Animal Man leaps down into view—his hair and shoulders covered in white stuff.

Animal Man
…how come the guano never drops on you?

Page 3, panel 3

Animal Man lands next to Batman.

Animal Man
Let me guess. You have tiny sensors in your costume that detect when it’s about to hit and tiny lasers that disintegrate it first?

Batman
No. I have fast reflexes. So, a demonstration?

Page 3, panel 4

On the left of the panel stands Animal Man and Batman. On the right of the panel, flying bats are forming the phrase “HOME WEIRD HOME.”

Animal Man
Your wings at my command—

Page 3, panel 5

Titano and Chemo break through a wall, startling the bats into disarray.

SFX 

Crash!

Batman
Titano! Chemo!

PAGE 4

Page 4, panel 1


Animal Man points to the invaders.

Animal Man
Swarm them!

Page 4, panel 2

The bats surround Titano and Chemo.

Page 4, panel 3

Titano and Chemo swat the bats away as if they were gnats. Animal Man looks frustrated.

Animal Man
(to Batman)
Saw that coming. Got any other animals?

Page 4, panel 4

Batman

Just one.

Page 4, panel 5

Batman is using a small iPhone-like control to activate the giant Tyrannosaurus rex in his cave. Animal Man looks stunned.

dinosaur
Roooooaaaaaar
!

Batman
Yeah, everyone forgets it’s actually a robot.

PAGE 5

Page 5, panel 1


The dinosaur grabs Titano’s arm in its jaw.

Titano
Arrgrowwwl
!

Page 5, panel 2

Chemo sprays acid on the dinosaur’s head.

Page 5, panel 3

Titano twists the head off.

SFX 

Spraaaang!

Page 5, panel 4

Titano grabs the giant penny.

Page 5, panel 5

Titano and Chemo storm out through another wall.

SFX

Skraaack!

PAGE 6

Page 6, panel 1


In a swampy area in the outskirts, Titano flips the coin with Chemo.

Page 6, panel 2

It lands in the mud—on its edge. Mud also splatters all over it.

SFX 

Splootch!

Page 6, panel 3

Titano shrugs.

Page 6, panel 4

Both giants head toward Gotham.

Page 6, panel 5

Same view as previous panel, except giants no longer visible and Batman and Animal Man are following them—Batman in the Batcopter and Animal Man flying alongside it amid a bevy of bats.

PAGE 7

Page 7, panel 1


Batman and Animal Man fly over a path of grand scale devastation in the city—lampposts bent, cars crushed, fire hydrants spraying, huge footprints in pavement, etc. Both heroes wear a wireless headset communicator.

Animal Man
Two of the easier supervillains to track....

Page 7, panel 2

In the foreground, a cockroach skitters by on a window ledge as the Batcopter, Animal Man, and the bats fly by in the background.

Animal Man
Good thing, too, because a city doesn’t offer decent animals to borrow abilities from—pretty much just rats, pigeons, and cockroaches. I’d take bats over any of them any day.

Page 7, panel 3

Batman and Animal Man (and the bats) reach the harbor where Titano and Chemo are wading out to the Statue of Justice (a Statue of Liberty analog).

Batman
I’m afraid you won’t find a better choice of animals in this water.

Animal Man
I didn’t expect to, but perhaps alongside it…

Page 7, panel 4

With buzzing mosquitoes at the water’s edge in close up, Animal Man flies up to Titano in the background.

SFX (mosquitoes)
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..

SFX (Animal Man)
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..

Page 7, panel 5

Animal Man is buzzing around Titano’s ears.   

Page 7, panel 6

Titano flicks Animal Man away.

Animal Man
Man! Lamest. Strategy. Ever! Why did I even try? I need to think bigger.

PAGE 8

Page 8, panel 1


Batman shoots two cables toward Chemo’s legs.

Batman
Have to be careful. Puncturing Chemo would create a deadly chemical spill that—Animal Man?

Page 8, panel 2

Batman looks out the window to find the bats still there but Animal Man nowhere to be seen.

Batman (caption)
It’s not like him to retreat, no matter how frustrated.

Page 8, panel 3

Chemo uses his acid to easily dissolve the cables wrapped around his legs.

Page 8, panel 4

Batman jumps from the copter to Titano’s back.

Batman (caption)
Maybe I can use the ape to take down the acid—if not both.

Page 8, panel 5

Batman tosses a Batarang around Titano’s hands.

Titano
Grrrrrr…

Page 8, panel 6

He pulls hard, yanking Titano’s hands up, which covers the ape’s own face.

PAGE 9

Page 9, panel 1


Titano falls backward, knocking down Chemo, too. Batman is climbing a rope back up to Batcopter.

Page 9, panel 2

Both giants have fallen into the water.

Batman (caption)
Now to net them and then find out what happened to Animal—

Page 9, panel 3

A giant ape hand obscures the windows of the Batcopter.

Page 9, panel 4

Chemo spritzes acid on the propeller, dissolving it.

SFX
Ssssssssssssssss…

Page 9, panel 5

Titano hurls the Batcopter at the Statue of Justice.

Page 9, panel 6

Just before impact, an even larger hand catches the Batcopter.

PAGE 10

Page 10, panel 1


Pull back to reveal it’s Animal Man, standing taller than both villainous giants.

Batman
Animal Man! But how—?

Page 10, panel 2

He opens his other hand to reveal Giganta (in prison garb and locked in one of those high-tech armcuff devices often shown in DC cartoons and comics).

Batman
Giganta—of course. You can tap her size-changing ability since she was transformed into a human from an ape.

Giganta
(small print to indicate embarrassment)
How many times have I asked you all not to keep mentioning that?

Animal Man (balloon 1)
Right, Batman. But to borrow her power, I first had to borrow her from prison. And since I lack your fast reflexes, I borrowed the diving speed of a nearby peregrine falcon to do it quickly.

Animal Man (balloon 2)
Still, sorry I took off without explaining.

Page 10, panel 3

Batman

As a man of action more than words, Animal Man, I understand.

Animal Man
But I didn’t completely abandon you. Before I left, I told the bats to feast up on mosquitoes and go guano on the giants.

Page 10, panel 4

The heroes see Titano and Chemo under the hoard of bats and positively DRENCHED in guano, which is obscuring their vision and causing them to stumble around in the water.

Animal Man
So your little friends finally came in handy.

Page 10, panel 5

Batman

You return those two to the oversized containment facility, Animal Man, and I’ll get you back to prison, Giganta. But first, in exchange for a larger cell, you can do something I’m admittedly too small for…

Page 10, panel 6

Giganta, at increased size and blindfolded (for security), is in the Batcave. Under the watchful eye of Batman and Animal Man, she is irritably polishing the mud off the retrieved giant penny.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

26 moments of silence

One year.
Newtown.
New year.
Forever mourned.

What I will hand-carry to Africa


I travel light—a single suitcase under any circumstance—and can’t remember an exception. I now know what qualifies as an exception: if a school in Africa asks me to hand-carry copies of my books.

In January 2014, I am going to speak at the International School of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

I agreed to bring books without paying close attention to the quantity they would order to ship to my house.

This is the quantity:



The thought of my books—let alone me—in Africa is beyond what I ever expected, so that huge honor overrides my tendency to keep to one bag.

Hurry, boy. It's waiting there for you.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Coincidences related to my superhero books


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Interview with Ruth Bornstein, author/illustrator of "Little Gorilla"

A childhood favorite that became a favorite to read to my own kids is Little Gorilla (1976).


The author/illustrator of that gem, Ruth Bornstein, kindly agreed to an interview to answer questions I had not seen covered elsewhere.

In what year and where were you born?

1927, Milwaukee, WI.

Which, if any, authors of children’s books were an inspiration to you growing up?

I didn’t know of or have picture books; not that I remember at all. Later I got hand-me-down books from an aunt: Pinocchio, Heidi, a Bible storybook, and a book of folk tales. I still have them.

Which of your books was the hardest to write, and why?

I was always a painter; in 1969, I suddenly began to write but never imagined I’d ever write novels. My two novels were the hardest because they both took me many years; I persevered because I had something I needed to say.

Which of your books has been the best-selling?


Little Gorilla.

What inspired
Little Gorilla?

I’ve loved gorillas ever since I first saw them as a child in the Milwaukee zoo. My three blond boys reminded me of sturdy tumbling little gorillas; the oldest, my daughter, and I watched them.

On
Little Gorilla, you’ve said that it took you “two years to uncover what it was that I really wanted to say.” Do you mean it took you two years to write it, or two years to figure out a hidden meaning you hadn’t perceived before?

Two years to uncover what it was I was trying to say.

What was that?

I finally realized I was trying to say that, big or small, we all need love.

Did you ever consider a sequel to
Little Gorilla? Did your publisher ask for one, and if so, what did you say?

My publisher rejected further
Little Gorilla ideas I had.

Why?

The publisher felt that the book stood on its own.

Have you done author visits in schools? If not, why? If so, are you still doing them?

I’ve done many author visits through the years. I haven’t been asked recently.

Can you share an anecdote about you and your work that you find especially touching? An interaction with a fan?

The way I began to write after thinking that painting was enough for one lifetime.

Are you friendly with any other children’s authors?

Yes. I’m friendly with many but not often in touch; Sonya Sones, Sonia Levitin, April Wayland, Ann Whitford Paul, and Robin Rector Krupp are a few I am in touch with.

Do you keep up with picture books being published these days? Any favorites?

I’m afraid I haven’t kept up.

Where do you live?

Santa Monica, CA.

If you are currently working on a book, what can you say about it?

I am now back to art and writing essays. My last book, the 2012 novel The Summer Everything Changed, took 18 years of gestation (while I was painting, writing other things) and I didn’t resent a bit of all the many revisions and editing I did on it. I feel, and I’ve been told, that it’s an important book.



Anything you’d like to add? Any questions you wish you’d get asked in an interview but haven’t yet?

I have sometimes been asked how I began to write. You can find information on my website by clicking on Ruth’s Bio, and also in my essay “Threads” in my book of essays The Sky and Me, which you can download on my website.


A collage created by an artist friend of Ruth’s 
showing her now and at age two.
 
P.S. I never took typing (little did I know!) so it’s easier for me to not do capitals if I don’t have to. [MTN: I gladly went through her emailed responses and capitalized where needed, even though the author of a book called Little Gorilla could get away with all lowercase!]

Monday, December 9, 2013

Justice League Unlimited: “Shadows and Ghosts”

In 2005, I penned and pitched DC a sample Justice League Unlimited story; it is in the style of the thin mass market paperbacks based on the Justice League animated series, which were aimed at young readers. That explains the requisite hokiness (including exclamation marks).



Alas, I think they did not end up producing JLU-branded books in this format.

All characters are, of course, copyright DC Comics. 

“Shadows and Ghosts”

The Aparo Aquarium had been closed for hours, but two figures approached the main entrance. [a banner reading “Don’t Miss the First Giant Squid in Captivity!” should be prominent over entrance] Even in the light of the full moon, they were both unnoticeable to the average eye, though for different reasons.

One was the Shadow-Thief, a devious crook who wore a high-tech suit that enabled him to transform into an untouchable shadow. The other was the Gentleman Ghost, the sinister spirit of a man who died over a century ago.

The Shadow-Thief slipped through a door crack. The Gentleman Ghost did him one better—he simply walked right through the wall. They snuck past the security guard.

“Night watchmen, alarms, surveillance cameras,” the Gentleman Ghost said. “None can catch the Gentleman Ghost!”
   
“Shh!” the Shadow-Thief whispered. “What good is invisibility if you insist on shouting?”

But the Shadow-Thief’s warning was too late. The guard heard a voice and mysterious footsteps, then spotted a flicker of darkness cross the moonlight that spilled in through the window. He didn’t see much, but he saw enough to worry.

“Something fishy is going on,” the guard said to himself as he picked up the phone. “Something out of my league. Luckily, I know another league…”

Within minutes, five more figures appeared at the entrance. Superman, Aquaman, the Creeper, Mister Miracle, and Vixen looked the exact opposite of the lawbreakers inside the aquarium—no night is dark enough to hide the bright colors of the Justice League!

“Sorry we didn’t knock,” Mister Miracle said with a showstopping smile. “It was quicker for me to pick the lock.”

The security guard didn’t bat an eye. He pointed down an unlit hallway and said, “Whatever it was, it headed that way!”

“I have a hunch I know who we’re up against,” Superman said as the quintet started down the hallway. “The sneakiest…”

“…slipperiest…” Aquaman said.

“…slimiest…” Creeper said.

“…souls this side of a worm colony,” Vixen said.

“Enough talk,” Superman said.  “Time to end this game of hide and seek!”

The transparent trespassers were treacherous, but even more than that, greedy. They had two targets: the ink of the rare giant squid, which the Shadow-Thief suspected was so powerful that it could mask the loot they steal, and the loot itself. The aquarium had been doing record business since the squid exhibit opened, and the phantom pair wanted to pilfer those profits.

“Okay, Ghost,” the Shadow-Thief said in a hushed tone. “Let’s find that fish fast.” [they are now standing in a shadowy room surrounded by huge tanks stocked with a diversity of marine life such as sharks and morays; sign reads “Dangerous Denizens of the Deep”]

“It’s a mollusk, actually,” the Gentleman Ghost said.

“I don’t care if it’s a mashed potato, as long as its ink can cover up the money we’re carrying as we escape from our crimes.”

From out of the darkness a voice said, “Who said anything about escaping?” Mister Miracle zipped out on his aero-discs, with the rest of his colleagues behind him.

“See!  I told you to keep quiet!” the Shadow-Thief hissed as he bolted to another room.

Aquaman, the Creeper, and Vixen followed the Shadow-Thief. Superman flew at the Gentleman Ghost and tried to grab him—but passed right through and smashed into the thick glass of a tank, causing a tremendous crack.

“You should know better by now, Superman,” the Gentleman Ghost said. “I’m still a tricky fellow to get a hold of! And soon a much richer one at that!”

“The only thing you’ll be buying is prison time,” Mister Miracle said. He sped to the Gentleman Ghost—and picked him up!

“How can you do that?” the Gentleman Ghost shrieked.

“I’m not from around here,” Mister Miracle said. “And neither is the technology in my miraculous suit.” Mister Miracle held the Gentleman Ghost in the air. “Superman—now!”

Superman used his heat vision to seal the leaking crack in the tank, then turned to the Gentleman Ghost. He swelled up his chest and then blew an frigid blast of air at the Gentleman Ghost’s legs.

“This can’t happen!” the Gentleman Ghost said as the shape of his legs became visible, coated in ice.

“Everything has a freezing point, Ghost,” Superman said. “Even cold-hearted criminals like you.”

Meanwhile, in the marine mammals wing, the other three heroes were tracking the Shadow-Thief.

“He forgets that some of us use other senses as much as sight,” Vixen said, sniffing the air.
 

Silently, she nodded to the center of the room. [visible in the drawing is a large whale model hanging over the room, similar to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, except for originality’s sake let’s make it a sperm whale] With animal agility, she leapt to where the Shadow-Thief thought he was undetectable.

“Even a whale’s shadow is not big enough to hide you,” she said. She tried to deliver a sharp kick to the Shadow-Thief’s shins, but because he was in shadow form, her leg went right through his. However, he quickly adjusted the controls of his shadow suit so he was solid, then he tripped Vixen.

A deafening SNAP came from above. The model sperm whale was falling right toward them!

“A big something to remember me by,” the Shadow-Thief said as he scurried away.

A blue and red blur rocketed into the room. When the whale was only inches away from Vixen, Superman intercepted it!

“Glad you were whale watching,” Vixen said.  “Thanks.”

“The Shadow-Thief must’ve somehow loosened the cable before we came in,” Superman said. “Now he’s gone again.”

The heroes looked around.  The Creeper was gone, too!

The Shadow-Thief had prowled into the next hall, which was dedicated exclusively to the giant squid. He remained motionless near a corner of its enormous tank.

Without warning, yellow arms snatched him from behind, accompanied by a mischievous laugh.

“Got you, got you, change your suit back you forgot to!” the Creeper sang. “You’re not the only one around here who’s good at creeping.”

“And you’re not the only one here who talks too much!” the Shadow-Thief said as he elbowed the Creeper in the gut, causing him to let go.

Before the Shadow-Thief could scramble away yet again, Aquaman acted with the speed of a geyser. Using his grappling-hook, he pulled himself into the tank. He splashed water in the Shadow-Thief’s direction, short-circuiting the controls in his suit.

Using his aquatic telepathy, Aquaman asked the giant squid to lend a tentacle. From the top of its tank, a thick pink appendage slithered toward the de-shadowed Shadow-Thief. The tentacle snatched him with ease.

“That’s as close as you’ll come to getting any ink from him,” Aquaman said.
  
“The sun has set on your shady scheme,” the Creeper said with a bounce and a cackle. “Say that ten times fast!”

“Where they’re going, they’ll have plenty of time to practice their tongue twisters,” Mister Miracle said as he entered with the glacial Gentleman Ghost.

Aquaman thanked the squid, then turned to the villains. “And there’s not a ghost of a chance either of you will escape from there anytime soon.”

Thursday, December 5, 2013

First step to Africa


My work as an author has brought me to more than half the 50 states, Guam, and Chile (with a revelatory puddle jump to Easter Island), and now I’ve had the great and unexpected privilege of being invited to Africa.

In January 2014, I will be making my first trip to that sacred continent to speak for four days at the International School of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam. To say that is exotic for me is like saying Batkid got some media attention. (Both huge understatements.) To say I am hugely excited is also like saying Batkid got some media attention.

On 11/26/13, I took my first step to Africa (aside from arranging the schedule by e-mail with my kind host).

Not booking a flight.

Not applying for a visa.

No, I started with the vaccinations.

There were so many good ones to choose from.

The three I got were the following:


  • hepatitis A (need to get part 2 in six months to a year from now, but part 1 will cover me in Africa)
  • typhoid; you can contract both hepatitis A and typhoid through contaminated food or water
  • polio; I would’ve been vaccinated against this as a child but need it again now, since the disease is not eradicated in Africa as it is in America


You can contract hepatitis B through fluid exchange including contaminated needles, so that is low risk for me (Batkid analogy again). I plan to get all my tattoos before I go to Tanzania.

There is no vaccination for malaria. There is prevention, however: pills. You start taking one a day two days before leaving and continue throughout your time in Africa plus for seven days after.

You won’t be allowed into Tanzania if you’ve been through another country where yellow fever is present—even if it is only a layover in which you don’t even leave the plane.

You see that I learned quite a bit in that short visit to the doctor. 


And once in Africa, I will learn as much as any other student I meet there…

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Library just for kids…and just for nonfiction

In Florida, commendable parenting is afoot. I caught wind of something unusual and wonderful: a library created to motivate kids to read nonfiction. I caught up with Robin MacDonald, the library director:

What is the Ralphy Memorial Nonfiction Library?

It is our own private children’s nonfiction library that we created in our playroom and dedicated to our beloved dog, Ralphy, who passed away last year. [MTN: Obviously I love this idea and hope it catches on in playrooms everywhere.]


The grand opening was great! We had 18 kids, 5 teachers, and 12 [other] adults. Neighborhood friends and families are welcome! 



What inspired the library?

Abbey, who is in 3rd grade, loves to read, but tends to gravitate toward fiction. Her brother, Jake, is in kindergarten and is just developing his love of reading. I thought it would be wise to expand their interests. Abbey has to take a big reading test at the end of this school year and part of it includes reading different passages and answering questions. Some of those passages are going to be nonfiction and I didn’t want her to be unfamiliar with that type of writing. I love to read as well and recently started The Book Whisperer, which I think has brilliant ideas about children and reading.

How did your kids react when you created it?

They love it! We got bean bag chairs and a new bookshelf and tried to create a space that is comfortable.



What has been their role in the creation?

They decided on the name and made the sign. They have picked out a lot of the titles. We have visited several bookstores (new and used) looking for a variety of titles and they included their own collections as well.

We have labeled all of the books with their AR test number and level and every book has its own envelope and card (old school library system). They had to glue all of the envelopes inside the front covers. They write each library card out for “members” and hand-stamp the due date.



Also, they decided to have a section (unorganized box) for the fiction that we have finished with; it’s called “Free to Good Homes.” They decided on a 10-cent fine for late books and a two-week checkout period.

Do they voluntarily go to this library?

Yes, they love to visit their own library. It has become a competition of sorts between Abbey and Jake as to who has checked out and read the most books.

How many circulating titles do you have?

We have 106 titles, including several of yours and a couple of Shana Corey’s (Girl Scout stories tend to rank highly here). We have all levels from kindergarten to 6th grade. 



What titles have been the biggest hits so far?

Anything about dogs or dolphins have been popular.

If people want to donate books to the library, how should they proceed?

We love donations! They can contact me at robinrmac@earthlink.net and I will give them our address. In return, they will receive a handwritten thank-you note and a library card.