Today is Milton (Bill) Finger's 107th birthday. He's the (until 2015, unaccredited) ghost writer/artist without whom Batman as we know him wouldn't exist. Thread:

Finger is solely responsible for many features of the Batman mythos, such as the hero's alter ego "Bruce Wayne."

Finger turned a mere vigilante into a scientist and detective.

When Bob Kane was told to create a character to build on the success of the prior year's big hit Superman, his original vision would've likely gone down as a poor imitation instead of a distinct hero.

Finger is why we have the cape, cowl, gloves, gauntlets, and costume color.

Finger created the Batmobile and Batcave, too.

Finger was the first to call it "Gotham City."

Finger created Robin as the "Watson" to Batman's Holmes.

Finger is also responsible for Batman's characteristic "oversized aesthetic" e.g. the famous giant Lincoln penny.

Finger wrote Batman's origin story.

Finger also co-created:
-Commissioner Gordon
-Bat-Girl
-Bat-Mite
-Ace the Bat-Hound

Finger had a hand in many of Batman's greatest villains, all of whom are now older than many superheroes!
-Joker
-Two-Face
-Catwoman
-Penguin

Along with:
-Riddler
-Clayface
-Scarecrow
-Calendar Man

Apart from his contributions to Batman, Finger also created Superman's high school sweetheart Lana Lang and co-created the Green Lantern.

Finger died in 74' before his
-85' honorific in DC's 50th Anniversary book "Fifty Who Made DC Great"
-94' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame induction
-99' Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame induction
-05' establishment of Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing
-14' Inkpot Award

And before his granddaughter @AthenaFinger finally earned him artistic credit on Batman in 2015. I recommend the Hulu documentary "Batman & Bill" if you want to learn more about his life and the struggle to get him artistic credit. Also this article: https://twitter.com/MarcTNobleman/status/1330718818918944769?s=20

While he saw Batman's initial foray into mainstream pop culture with the 60s Adam West TV show (even co-writing an episode, his first public credit for a Batman story!) he didn't live to see the character himself become an 80+ year old mainstay of global pop culture.

I have no idea if Finger could've predicted the success of Batman, the 13th highest grossing media franchise (2nd for superheroes) of all time, star of 10+ Hollywood movies and 10+ TV shows, and icon to children and adults everywhere.

Thank you Bill Finger. The greatest fictional character of all time wouldn't exist without you.