In December 2012, I began a
conversation with David Bushman, Curator of Television at the Paley Center in
New York City that culminated in “Batman at 75: To All a Dark Knight,” a
five-person panel on 5/5/14 that drew a sold-out crowd, buzzed along fast from
6:30 to 8 p.m., and was followed by a book signing that went past 9:30.
(More photos below.)
The lineup:
-
Kevin Conroy, Voice of Batman, Batman: The Animated Series; The New Batman
Adventures; Batman Beyond
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Chip Kidd, Designer, Batman: The Complete History; Author, Batman: Death by
Design
-
Kevin Smith, Filmmaker; Writer, Batman comic books; Host, Fat Man on Batman
podcast
-
Michael Uslan, Executive Producer, The Dark Knight film trilogy; Author, The
Boy Who Loved Batman
-
me
-
Moderator: Whitney Matheson, Columnist, USA Today’s “Pop Candy”
From
where I sat, for fans of the bat, it was all that.
I found my four fellow panelists (only one of whom—Michael Uslan—I’d met
before) to be articulate and funny—expert storytellers all. Each shared an
almost poetic reflection on the Dark Knight.
Whitney asked thoughtful questions and kept things moving nicely (no easy feat
with any panel); at one point, she charmingly directed another question to me
because I needed to talk more (usually not a problem with me, but this was an
extroverted group). During the Q&A, I laughed when she called on an
audience member by saying “The one in the Batman hat.” (That description
matched a dude in what seemed like every other row.)
The panel was recorded. Among the
many highlights:
-
Kevin Conroy taking to the stage booming “I am vengeance. I am the night. I am
Batman!” to thunderous applause
-
Chip Kidd following him dryly saying “I am the day”
- Class act Michael Uslan asking for my blessing to introduce Athena Finger, granddaughter of Bill
-
Kevin Smith telling the story of Kevin Conroy volunteering in New York during
9/11 (suggesting he modify his signature line to “I am vengeance. I am the
night chef. I am Batman!”)
-
Piggybacking on Kevin Smith expounding on Batman’s appeal, I said that we don’t
relate to Batman because he has no powers. We relate because he has no parents.
We have empathy for him, which allows us to believe in his mission.
Other memorable moments:
Question: your first Batman? Mine was from Super Friends. (Hey, you can’t control
when you’re born.)
Question: coolest Batman memorabilia you own? I followed Chip, who has the
original art of the cover of Kingdom Come #3. I joked that I can’t remember
which of the Kingdom Come covers I own, then told the story of Charles Sinclair
giving me Bill Finger’s paperweight.
I added that when my daughter was about seven, she said if we ever had a fire
and she could grab only one thing, she’d go for Bill’s paperweight, to which I
said “If we ever have a fire, sweet pea, just get out. *I* will grab the
paperweight.”
Question from the audience: your biggest discovery when researching Bill
Finger? His lone and previously unknown grandchild, Athena, who was in
attendance (and showered with attention for it; she even signed at least one
copy of my book for a fan).
While Whitney looked for people to call on during the Q&A, I pointed out
the lone woman raising her hand (not the lone woman in attendance, though
females were, unsurprisingly, the minority).
A boy of about 13—whom Kevin Smith didn’t notice till he asked a question,
prompting Kevin to apologize for some colorful language he had used—bore a
fitting resemblance to Charles Roskilly, who portrayed young Bruce Wayne in
Michael’s 1989 Batman.
Before we wrapped, Kevin Conroy paid tribute to Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., who
had died a few days earlier; Zimbalist voiced Alfred in Batman: The Animated Series and appeared on 77 Sunset Strip…which Bill Finger wrote for.
Then I acknowledged my partner in organizing the event by saying “From Batman
to Bushman…thanks to David Bushman for taking a chance on this vision.”
When signing books, not one but two guys asked Michael and Kevin Conroy to sign
their credit cards. I normally sign only books I have written, but it was
something of a in-a-good-way free-for-all so we all signed each other’s a few times.
I learned that after Bill and his first wife Portia divorced, she sought solace
(we are left to read into that) from Wildcat co-creator Irwin Hasen; of the Golden Agers I interviewed for Bill
the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman, he is the last one living.
All but the Kevins and Whitney retired to Chip’s apartment for a nightcap; the place is a
paradise of superhero memorabilia, including, of course, original art.
A stellar experience, equal parts humbling, entertaining, and exhilarating.
Thank you again to all who participated and attended and said nice things
afterward.
To all a Dark Knight, forevermore.
The start of the line to get in.
Kevin Conroy and Danielle Ward of JHU Comic Books
The Justice League of A Kind convenes:
Chip, a DC Comics representative, Whitney, Travis Langley, Michael
Waiting to move into the next waiting area.
Half of the rest of the panel and me.
The other half of the rest of the panel and me.
Batselfie.
Waiting in the (bat)wings.
View from the panel.
After Athena Finger, granddaughter of Bill, was acknowledged.
Signing books, bags, tickets, and even credit cards.
Upcoming book. Can you spot the notable first?
Susan Eisenberg voiced Wonder Woman in
Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.
