Comic-Con 2014: Bill Finger rises

On 7/24-25/14, I had the privilege of attending Comic-Con International (commonly called San Diego Comic-Con) to appear on three panels, two of which were Bill Finger-focused:

• “Spotlight on Bill Finger, the Co-Creator of Batman”; 7/24/14, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., room 4; panelists: Tom Andrae, Mark Evanier, Lee Meriwether, Jens Robinson, Michael Uslan, me; moderator: Travis Langley
• “Kids’ Heroes, Capes, and Journeys: Does One Size Fit All?”; 7/24/14, 4-5 p.m., room 29A; panelists: Frank Cammuso, Alexis E. Fajardo, Jenni Holm, Matthew Holm, Dave Roman, me; moderator: Meryl Jaffe
• “Who Created Batman?”; 7/25/14, 2:30-3:30 p.m., (room) CAC 8; panelists: Tom Andrae, Athena Finger, Denny O’Neil, Brad Ricca, Jens Robinson, Arlen Schumer, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson, me; moderator: Travis Langley

I came via train from Los Angeles and sat next to a DC Comics lawyer who ended up attending both Batman panels I was on. After the first panel, an attendee kindly asked if he could have my badge. While flattering, I had to say no because I could not get back in without it. 

A writer for Huffington Post Italy interviewed me with some insightful questions; he also asked if I planned to attend the screening of Gotham to publicly ask if Bill’s name will be in the credits. (I see his point but feel that would not be a proper approach.)

Before the “Who Created Batman” panel, a friend said he assumed I would simply stand up at the start of it, say “Bill Finger,” drop the mike, and swagger out. I did not do that but I did share the suggestion with the audience.

One of the most important people in Billfingerography (the study of Bill Finger) is Jim Steranko, who in 1970 became one of only three known people to interview Bill (the other two being Jerry Bails in 1965 and Bob Porfirio in 1972). I had the honor of meeting Jim in person at Comic-Con and gave him the only copy of Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman I brought. It was also the first copy of the Scholastic Book Club paperback edition I signed for anyone. Yes, he humored me by asking me to autograph it.

Photo recap:

 Appropriate that mere minutes after arriving in San Diego,

I passed the Hall of Justice.

 First San Diego appearance for Athena!

 Hard to imagine Bill’s name appearing in a DC ad 

even a couple of years ago.

 Truly one of the biggest honors of my career: being asked to write about Bill 

for the souvenir book that went to all 130,000 attendees.

Selfie with (restored) Detective #27.

 Selfie with (restored) Action Comics #1.

 Standing room only Finger panel panorama. (Panelrama.)

 Athena and Ben accepting a posthumous Inkpot Award for Bill.

 The Finger panelists. (source: Jamie Coville)

 Another great turnout: the “Who Created Batman?” panel.

 Mark Evanier and Athena presenting the Bill Finger Awards 

during the Eisners.

 One of the great joys and honors of my Comic-Con was not only

meeting Susan Eisenberg, who portrayed Wonder Woman in  

Justice League and (my favorite) Justice League Unlimited, 

but also getting to hang out with her.

She is fun, gracious...a class act.

 Susan and Phil LaMarr (Green Lantern John Stewart in JL and JLU).

We also tried to see their teammate Kevin Conroy, 

whom I paneled with in May, but alas, the timing did not work.

 Susan and the official Wonder Woman of Six Flags (which one, I forget).

 Golden Age granddaughters!

The grandchildren of Shelly Moldoff, Sheldon Mayer, and Bill Finger.

The “Hero Complex” column of the Los Angeles Times covered the Finger panel; excerpts:

A gift for Derek Wolfford for doing me a huge (non-Con) favor and 

for running the Bill Finger Appreciation Group on Facebook... 

the Detective Comics #27 tribute issue signed by six Bat-luminaries: 

Athena Finger (top)

Denny O’Neil (below Athena)

Jim Steranko (below Denny)

Neal Adams (below Steranko)

Lee Meriwether (the second live-action Catwoman, and an articulate delight)

Michael Uslan

Name drop section:

It was fun to catch up in person with…

• everyone on my panels
• Chris Duffy
• Dan Santat
• Jeff Trexler
• Gerard Jones
• Josh Elder
• Glen Weldon
• Karen Green
• Scott McCloud
• Charlie Kochman
• Melissa Wiley
• Jamie Coville
• David Siegel
• Kendall Whitehouse
• Ray Feighery
• Chelle Mayer

It was a pleasure to meet in person for the first time…

• Jim Steranko
• Denny O’Neil
• Neal Adams
• Alethia Mariotta
• A.J. and Erica Schultz
• Pat Evans
• Phil Nel
• Dean Trippe
• Joey Cavalieri
• Chad Beckerman (also from Cheshire, CT)
• Shannon Hale
• Mike Maihack
• Matt Keller (at DC)

Thank you again to…

• Travis Langley and Mark Evanier for getting me there
• Gary Sassaman for asking me to write about Bill for the souvenir book
• Jenni Holm for inviting me to be on a panel with an impressive crew
• Meryl Jaffe for moderating said panel with wit and depth
• Sheila Marie Everett and Raina Telgemeier for getting me into the Scholastic party
• Athena and Ben for making your big debut

The Girl in the Video: “Kiss and Tell” (1988)

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video 2” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “Kiss and Tell” by Bryan Ferry.

The girl-now-woman: Denice Lewis.

How old were you when you appeared in the “Kiss and Tell” video?

I was in my twenties during that video but I don’t recall what year we filmed it. [I was born in] 1960, if you find out when it was filmed and do the math.

Where were you living at the time?

London.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?

I honestly can’t really say what came before or after. In those days I was working and traveling so much and in different times zones—the time frames are really a blur.

I did a video for Duran Duran’s [side project band] Arcadia—“The Flame”; Elton John and Cliff Richards’s “Slow Rivers”; Zucchero and Paul Young’s “Sensa Una Donna”; Flash and the Pan (title unknown); Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy”—they [used] footage from [a] Vivienne Westwood show in their video and didn’t pay anyone [the film was considered public domain]; Praise (a band including George Michael’s cousin); and a group called Conspiracy (title unknown).

The glimpse of Denice (right) in “I’m Too Sexy”

Interestingly enough, about a year after I did the video for Conspiracy, I was at a pub with my acting coach and one of the boys from Conspiracy was also there. He came up to me to inquire if I was me. We chatted for a bit and then out of the blue, I decided to ask them to write a song for me. Andros [Andreas Georgiou], George Michael’s cousin, had suggested that I try sing myself because we were lip syncing in the Praise video and apparently I did it perfectly on the first take.

So I went to Nick Gatfield at EMI and asked for a budget to record a demo which he agreed to; Sasha and Michael wrote the song and off we went to Depot Studios and recorded it. Apparently EMI really liked it so they gave us another budget to do a second one which was really good as well.

Around that time I was having my 30th birthday party and everyone came. It was really crazy. George Michael was the DJ and all kinds of friends (over 300) showed up at my house. Richard Branson and John Kerry [MTN: yes, the future presidential candidate] crashed and George kept playing my records over and over to dance.

Amazingly, Richard Branson asked me if I wanted a recording deal with Virgin and I told him I was already with EMI. Can you imagine? We had a full-color page in Tatler Magazine’s Society Page and The London Times called it “Party of the Year”! All of the television shows and feature films I did came after that when I moved to Los Angeles.

How were you cast in “Kiss and Tell”?

The same way most of them are. A simple audition then perhaps a callback and then maybe you book it.

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast?

[No, but] I remember my reaction when I booked [the 1999 film] End of Days. I thought my manager was joking and the when she convinced me that she was serious I started jumping up and down and running around the house screaming in my leopard print terrycloth bathrobe and managed to tinkle on myself!

Where was the video filmed?

It was at one of the studios. I really don’t remember the name.

How long was the shoot?

We shot all day.

How did you feel making the video?

I felt high from the pain meds but happy and having fun.

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

I don’t ever look at any aspect of shooting as being hard. I love working in front of a camera and to me it is always exciting.

How was it to work with Bryan Ferry? What was he like? Did he hit on you?

LOL! He’s great! And he definitely didn’t hit on me. For some reason the theory about the casting couch and stars hitting on you has [not] happened to me once in all the time that I have worked.

Any funny stories from the shoot?

I had just flown from Houston, where I had surgery on my right foot to remove a broken sesamoid bone that had become arthritic and arrived in London just in time to go straight to the studio to shoot the video. Thank God the doctor had given me some pain medication as we were dancing all day! That was no easy “feet” (pun intended!) in my circumstance!

Naturally I took the medicine and as I was walking up the stairs, I tripped and fell up the stair and torn my stiches! Ouch! As I’m sure you have guessed by now, it was time for another dose. “Someone” (and I won’t say who!) noticed me taking [the medication] and managed to convince me that I wasn’t the only person in need of pain relief. In the end we all were very “happy” during filming of what turned out to be a great video.

Anything go wrong on the shoot?

Not that I am aware of.

What did you think of the video?

Love it!

What did your parents think of it?

I doubt they ever saw it. And they’ve both been deceased for many years.

What did your friends think of it?

If they like Bryan Ferry, they love it.

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were the woman in it)?

Not at all. I was a very independent person and it wouldn’t matter to me if they didn’t like it. I wasn’t doing it for them. I was doing it for me, my career, and my paycheck.

Did you receive fan mail? If so, do you still have any of it?

I’ve received a boatload of it and if I still have any of it would be in my storage unit.

Did the video generate any controversy that you know of?

It generated a lot of appreciation from his fans.

What were you paid?

British pounds! LOL!

Were you ever recognized in public?

LOL! All the time. I have no idea when last. No stories, really, other than some of the amazing things people will ask for in fan mail like money to travel with and [the opportunity] to become my personal photographer.

Tell me about shooting the Arcadia video “The Flame.” How was it to work with Duran Duran? Any funny/unusual stories from the set?

That was great! The guys are all so super creative and supportive. It took us three very long days to shoot that one. We would wrap around 3 a.m., drive home for an hour, and be right back on set at 8 or 9 a.m. Thank God I was never one who needed much sleep! 

Julie Anne [Rhodes, then-wife of Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes] was pregnant with Taji [Tatjana] at that time, so I think it was difficult for her seeing me as the new kid on the block spending so much time with Nick [Rhodes], but very soon we became friends; although we don’t spend much time together these days due to our very busy schedules, we love each other and I would trust her with my life. She beautiful inside and out, talented, has an amazing sense of humor! My friendship with her was the greatest thing that I received out of the Arcadia video.

Did you ever meet other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video?

I think the one I remember most was Julie Pankhurst from the Robert Palmer video. She is such a great beauty and a darling person.

If you went to college, where and what did you study?

I went to San Jacinto College in Houston and studied cosmetology. Graduated in 1980 and then worked in a salon for three years before I was discovered.

What are you doing these days?

I am an artist now.

Where do you live?

I live in the West Adams Historic District (Los Angeles) with seven babies: Romeo (a pitbull, 4 years old), Orlando and Othello (teacup Chihuahuas, 4 years old), King Cat Cecil (25 years old), Queen Monkee Monk (15 years old), Princess Onyx (age unknown), and Bijoux, the rare spot-bellied bonsai tiger (approximately 6 weeks old). She somehow managed to crawl into the engine of an SUV that belongs to my neighbor and survive [a] trip from another location to our building. After several attempts to rescue her by many neighbors and animal control, my next-door neighbor and I got her out and now she lives with me. We are a rather big family!

If you have kids, what do they think of the video?

No actual children so I can’t say.

What did you think when you first heard from me?

You may find this answer strange, but I’ve always be very tuned-in spiritually and about a week before I heard from you, I had a very strong sensation that someone would be contacting me for something about my life during that time. And then you showed up!

Has anyone else ever interviewed you about this?

Not at all.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you?

No, I never have and if I were to consider it there would have to be an interesting offer on the table.

Did you stay in touch with Bryan Ferry after the shoot?

I did a shoot with Lucy Ferry (his wife at that time) and Manolo Blahnik’s sister for something and ran into Bryan here and there, but we didn’t attempt to stay in contact.

When was the last time you were in touch with him?

In the ‘80s.

How do you look back on the experience?

With great fondness not only for that video but for the entire experience of living and working in the UK.

Tweet about this interview to @bryanferry @DeniceLewis!

Next: Billy Joel, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (1989).

The Girl in the Video: “Endless Summer Nights” (1988)

Introduction to series “The Girl in the Video 2” (including list of interviewees).

The video: “Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx.

The girl-now-woman: Blueberry Blervaque.

How old were you when you appeared in the “Endless Summer Nights” video?

I was born in 1962, so...

Where were you born?

Paris.

Parents both French?

Yes.

How did you get the nickname “Blueberry”?

Blueberry is my real name, translated. “Myrtille” is the French word for “blueberry.” I was a breech baby and I was suffocating; I turned purple blue. That’s why my mom called me Blueberry.

Friends call you Blue?

Yes.

When did you move to the States?

When I was 21. I wanted a different life for myself than what my parents did—working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. just to pay bills. I just took my bag one day and left. I chose California because of a dream. I had big expectations. I studied hairdressing in Beverly Hills for a while and passed my things, but realized if I didn’t have work on the side, it would be a tough time. [So I also pursued modeling.] I’m a lucky girl—even in hard times, good things happened.

Where were you living at the time you shot the video?

Malibu.

What music videos, shows, or movies had you appeared in prior to that?

A little bit of everything—TV shows, commercials, a lot of magazines. Modeling. [NOTE: On IMDb, she is listed as “Borovnisa Blervaque” because her agent didn’t want her to use “Blue.” Her other name for acting is Blair Valk.] It’s a part of my life I look back on and a friend said “You’ve done so much,” but I feel like I’ve done nothing.

I think I know what you mean—always hungry for something else. I think that keeps us young.

Yes!

How were you cast in “Endless Summer Nights”?

I just went down and did my audition like usual. Sometimes I don’t want to go and the ones I don’t want to go to, I get. So I always go negative. (laughs)

Do you remember what your reaction was when you were cast—or was it just another job?

Nothing special—just another job. But I thought Richard Marx was awesome, very kind. Really brilliant, and that’s rare. I remember that. [Richard Marx remembering Blueberry.]

Had you heard of Richard Marx?

Yeah, because he had another video before that one that was quite popular. I did like his music.

Where was the video filmed?

Wow. I think San Diego and (laughs) I don’t remember. It was a long time ago!

How long was the shoot?

I think it was a couple days.

How did you feel making the video?

I remember that when I had to be interested in him at the end—the love thing—I was super nervous. I was very shy. I’m actually a very shy person. He was really nice. I brought the tears thinking about my family; at first he thought he offended me somehow, but it all worked. [NOTE: There is no crying scene in “Endless Summer Nights” so she may be thinking of “Walk on Water” by Eddie Money.]

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

There was not really a hard part besides that last scene.

How was it to work with Richard Marx? What was he like?

He was going to Japan for a huge show and Japanese people were there filming him. He was introducing me. He was very funny. A good guy. I met his fiancée at the time, or maybe wife, Cynthia Rhodes, I think it was.

Any funny stories from the shoot?

I remember it was fun but don’t remember special things.

Anything go wrong on the shoot?

Nothing went wrong. Smooth as a baby’s bottom.

What did you think of the video?

I thought it was well filmed. Everybody was happy about it.

Did it feel different for you at the time?

No, because I worked on so many videos, but [up to then it was] sexy dancing and things like that. A couple of times I was just jiggling around. (laughs) It’s not me. Then I started doing shoots with stories, like the Eddie Money video. I liked that type better because you could express emotions.

What did your parents think of it?

They loved it. Where I come from, it was something extraordinary. It made them happy. For me it was just a tool.

What did your friends think of it?

They loved it. I enjoyed doing the work but didn’t like the praise too much for it.

Did the video ever affect your dating life in any way (i.e. when you first told boyfriends you were the woman in it)?

Many times, with different videos. I was like “Oh great, this is going to be a shallow relationship.” (laughs) “But might be fun for a little while.”

Did you receive fan mail? If so, do you still have any of it?

I get tons of mail from all of the videos, Married...with Children. I’m not a person who keeps—I move forward in life and don’t get attached. I remember moments but that’s that. I don’t even know if I have a copy of the video. I hate computers.

What were you paid?

I was one of the ones who got paid real good—$1,500 or $2,000 [per shoot], depending. Then my rate went up. Good money at the time.

Were you ever recognized in public?

Yes but I always tried to escape that because I am shy. I thought I should be an example but [someone who wants the attention is] not who I am, so I just say thank you [and slip away].

Did you appear in other music videos after that?

I did about 12 or something. The Cars, Alice Cooper—I opened the MTV Music Awards with Alice Cooper. I played the cello with him on stage. I knew how to play like four notes. (laughs) I did well.

They said after [the performance was over], my job was to walk off stage and the camera would follow me to Kenny Loggins. They’d they told me to sit on his lap so I did, but I also gave him a hug. I guess he was not feeling well—going through something hard at the time. I think the hug was better than just sitting on his lap. I choreographed that one myself without their approval. (laughs) Then I sat next to him.

Which of the videos you did is your favorite?

I like the Eddie Money one. The Richard Marx, too, because it’s sweet and adorable.

Did you ever met other women who were female leads in a mainstream ‘80s rock video?

Not really. I never really socialized—after a shoot, I went right back to my surfboard. I don’t want to waste people’s time and can see who I want to talk with and who I don’t. I’m a choosy person.

If you went to college, where and what did you study?

Yes. In France. I studied psychology. I have a master’s. And I used it here for some of my friends who had problems. (laughs) A free consultation on the beach while surfing!

What are you doing these days?

I’m a surfer dude. I live on the edge, like to be in the water, in the sun.

How do you make a living?

I teach surfing and stand up paddling. I spend most of my time with the ocean. Life is good.

I had a dream but people are treacherous in Hollywood. I want to keep my soul sane. I tried to do music. A couple of years ago, I had meetings. I did the whole shebang.

I got involved with two rappers (Fred the Godson @fredthegodson and Mopreme Shakur @mopremeshakur, brother of Tupac) and I recorded a couple of songs. Everything was going perfect but then something went wrong and they boycotted my song. So now I can’t release it. [MTN: But one is here.] Meanwhile my family in France has difficulties with health so I have to travel a lot. I have to be where it counts. In between, the only thing I have is surfing.

You wrote these songs?

Yes, with a producer, Michelle Bell. We came up with a great product. Maybe it’s not over! Maybe I’ll get a call one of these weeks. Here comes grandma with a hit song! (laughs)

Was it rap?

It was pop. My idea was to bring together east and west—two rappers who disliked each other—and it worked.

So what went wrong?

What created the problem was that one of the rappers was becoming quickly famous; I paid him cash to sing one verse and his producer said he wasn’t allowed to lay down a track down like that because he’s not a pop artist, he’s a real rapper. But I couldn’t cut him out of the song.

He didn’t come to your defense?

No, but even if he did, he couldn’t do anything about it. I’m an idiot—I trusted the wrong people. It’s saddening. You can see more about this online—search the name “Tille Blue.” You can read about it and see photos.

Are you still in touch with either of the rappers?

No, I’m not in touch with them anymore.

Do you own the songs?

Yes.

So you could do them with somebody else.

I tried but it didn’t work out the same. It was not as powerful.

I got approached by another producer. He liked my writing. He wanted to collaborate on a country song—do it as a duet with an American and a Canadian singer. I wrote a song called “Howling at the Moon.” He wanted to break the song in Canada and then bring it here.

One kid was in Canada and is becoming young country star. The other is Jake Parr, a 17-year-old kid in America whose father is Shawn Parr, the #1 country DJ on the radio. But [it didn’t work out because the] kid in Canada wanted the song to himself. 

Do you still live in Malibu?

Yes.

Are you married?

No.

Have you been?

Yes.

What did he think when he learned of the video?

I met him before all that. I married an actor called Sam Jones when I was 23.

Wow—as in Sam Jones who played Flash Gordon (in the 1980 film)?

Yes. I only date superheroes. (laughs)

I have a thing for superheroes myself. How long were you married?

Three years.

How did you meet him?

I was working with a doctor as a trainer at a resort, a rejuvenation spa, on the island of Mauritius. He was there shooting a film and staying at the hotel. I met him at the breakfast buffet.

Are you ever in touch with each other now?

No.

Kids?

No.

When and how did you learn to surf?

After my divorce, I met a man named Vincent Klyn. He was a surf champ and taught me how to surf. He was also in Cyborg, the Jean-Claude Van Damme film (1989). We were together for eight years.

What did you think when you first heard from me?

(laughs) “I don’t want to do it! I don’t want him to bother me!”

So what made you change your mind?

Because my mind has been going all over the place lately and I’m very spiritual. You kept trying. Finally my little voice—nonstop—said “I’m just going to give him five minutes.”

Has anyone else ever interviewed you about this?

Only a long time ago—I think I did something about Eddie Money.

Have you been in touch with Richard Marx—or Eddie Money—since then?

No. I told you I don’t really socialize. Even if I bumped into them, I wouldn’t say anything.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs?

No.

Would you?

I don’t know if I would do it. I would have to see what happens.

How do you look back on the experience?

I was a very lucky girl who had tons of fun who made good money even though it was not me. I played so many different roles that after that I only looked for perfection in my life and it’s never there. I am going to think positive. Third time’s a charm. (laughs)

Anything you’d like to add?

I wish you the best. Hope it takes you where want to go. So buckle up, boy, and get ready!

Tweet about this interview to @richardmarx @ImEddieMoney @tilleblue! 

Next: Bryan Ferry, “Kiss and Tell” (1988).