Marc Tyler Nobleman's Blog, page 25
March 28, 2019
My “Teen Beat” moment
In January, I spent five days with the students of the Casablanca American School. They publish a pretty snazzy magazine and several students/ace reporters interviewed me for it.
I also was the subject of the pull-out mini-poster! Yes, first time.
I also was the subject of the pull-out mini-poster! Yes, first time.
March 17, 2019
A paperweight that carries significant weight
Bill Finger left behind few belongings that we know of.
I was lucky enough to inherit one of them—a paperweight. That turned out to be the first of several quirky stories revolving around this small hunk of metal.
First, it's in Bill the Boy Wonder—anachronistically.
Second, I don't take it to school visits anymore. But not for the reason you might think.
At airport security in (I believe) Reno, the TSA agent asked me to remove the paperweight from my carry-on; I (of course) would never put it in checked luggage.
He asked what it was. I said "Bill Finger's paperweight." He (of course) asked "Who's Bill Finger?"
I said long story.
Short version: co-creator of Batman and this paperweight is one of the only things he owned that still survives.
He said it could be used as a weapon so I could not bring it on board.
I nearly choked.
This was several years ago and my memory of the rest of the conversation is virtually nonexistent, but I imagine I said something like this: "I know we are not supposed to negotiate, but as I mentioned, it's a one-of-a-kind and culturally invaluable. Is there anything I can say to convince you to allow me to take it?"
Somehow my desperation sold him so he did let me keep it. I realized I was risking losing it every time I took it on a flight…so I stopped taking it on flights.
Third, the man who gave it to me, Bill's sometime writing partner Charles Sinclair, did so because he felt I would take good care of it.
One time I didn't. (Or a second time, if you count the TSA incident.)
I tend to pack for trips at the last minute. One night before an early flight, I went to my basement office to gather a few things to pack, including the paperweight. I didn't turn on the basement light. As a carried the stack through the dark, paperweight on top, it slipped off—hitting the tiled basement floor.
Then I turned on the light to discover a small piece had chipped off the bottom.
I was mortified, even more so when I could not find the missing sliver. Luckily, the next day, my wife did, and she even managed to glue it back so well that you'd probably not notice.
Fourth, this everyday object has obtained a near-mythic status in my family. When my daughter was seven, out of the blue she pointed to the paperweight and said "If there was a fire and you and mommy weren't here, I would take this out for you."
I said "That's so thoughtful, sweetie pea. But if there's even a fire, just get out…
"…I'll get the paperweight."
Fifth, it's even a possibility that a paperweight that appeared once on Gotham was similar-looking on purpose…
The paperweight has been part of my presentation for schools for years, and the reveal generates one of the biggest gasps of the hourlong talk. After, kids sometime ask if I brought it, and I relay the reason why I didn't.
If I told teachers before the talk that we will get to a point in the story when kids will have a huge reaction to seeing a paperweight, few if any would believe me.
This little beetle has proven to have power far beyond preventing papers from shuffling out of order…
I was lucky enough to inherit one of them—a paperweight. That turned out to be the first of several quirky stories revolving around this small hunk of metal.
First, it's in Bill the Boy Wonder—anachronistically.
Second, I don't take it to school visits anymore. But not for the reason you might think.
At airport security in (I believe) Reno, the TSA agent asked me to remove the paperweight from my carry-on; I (of course) would never put it in checked luggage.
He asked what it was. I said "Bill Finger's paperweight." He (of course) asked "Who's Bill Finger?"
I said long story.
Short version: co-creator of Batman and this paperweight is one of the only things he owned that still survives.
He said it could be used as a weapon so I could not bring it on board.
I nearly choked.
This was several years ago and my memory of the rest of the conversation is virtually nonexistent, but I imagine I said something like this: "I know we are not supposed to negotiate, but as I mentioned, it's a one-of-a-kind and culturally invaluable. Is there anything I can say to convince you to allow me to take it?"
Somehow my desperation sold him so he did let me keep it. I realized I was risking losing it every time I took it on a flight…so I stopped taking it on flights.
Third, the man who gave it to me, Bill's sometime writing partner Charles Sinclair, did so because he felt I would take good care of it.
One time I didn't. (Or a second time, if you count the TSA incident.)
I tend to pack for trips at the last minute. One night before an early flight, I went to my basement office to gather a few things to pack, including the paperweight. I didn't turn on the basement light. As a carried the stack through the dark, paperweight on top, it slipped off—hitting the tiled basement floor.
Then I turned on the light to discover a small piece had chipped off the bottom.
I was mortified, even more so when I could not find the missing sliver. Luckily, the next day, my wife did, and she even managed to glue it back so well that you'd probably not notice.
Fourth, this everyday object has obtained a near-mythic status in my family. When my daughter was seven, out of the blue she pointed to the paperweight and said "If there was a fire and you and mommy weren't here, I would take this out for you."
I said "That's so thoughtful, sweetie pea. But if there's even a fire, just get out…
"…I'll get the paperweight."
Fifth, it's even a possibility that a paperweight that appeared once on Gotham was similar-looking on purpose…
The paperweight has been part of my presentation for schools for years, and the reveal generates one of the biggest gasps of the hourlong talk. After, kids sometime ask if I brought it, and I relay the reason why I didn't.
If I told teachers before the talk that we will get to a point in the story when kids will have a huge reaction to seeing a paperweight, few if any would believe me.
This little beetle has proven to have power far beyond preventing papers from shuffling out of order…
March 15, 2019
"Thirty Minutes Over Oregon" wins Colonial Dames of America 2019 Young Readers Award
I'm honored to report that the Colonial Dames of America chose Thirty Minutes Over Oregon as their 2019 Young Readers Award Winner.
To quote from the notification letter, "Since 1951, the Society has recognized books of merit that chronicle American history, life, and material culture by giving an Annual Award to the author of an outstanding work and a Citation to a second well-received book. The CDA also presents an award to a book written for Young Readers."
Thank you, Colonial Dames!
To quote from the notification letter, "Since 1951, the Society has recognized books of merit that chronicle American history, life, and material culture by giving an Annual Award to the author of an outstanding work and a Citation to a second well-received book. The CDA also presents an award to a book written for Young Readers."
Thank you, Colonial Dames!
March 1, 2019
February 25, 2019
"Batman & Bill" makes a timeline of Batman milestones
As we Batusi deeper into the yearlong revelry that is Batman's 80th anniversary, I was thrilled to see Bill Finger make a prominent appearance in a special publication celebrating the Dark Knight's history and influence.
Not only did Bill get a full page to himself (a far cry from previous such tributes, where he typically made little more than a cameo)...
...but he also appears on the publication's Bat-timeline three times…one of which is Batman & Bill (final entry).
(One criticism: as has happened many times online, this magazine used a photo of fellow writer Robert Kanigher for Bill.)
The page about Bill kindly mentions both the doc and Bill the Boy Wonder. I believe this is the first time a print publication has acknowledged my Bill Finger efforts without interviewing me first—in other words, this was a total and surreal surprise.
Not only did Bill get a full page to himself (a far cry from previous such tributes, where he typically made little more than a cameo)...
...but he also appears on the publication's Bat-timeline three times…one of which is Batman & Bill (final entry).
(One criticism: as has happened many times online, this magazine used a photo of fellow writer Robert Kanigher for Bill.)
The page about Bill kindly mentions both the doc and Bill the Boy Wonder. I believe this is the first time a print publication has acknowledged my Bill Finger efforts without interviewing me first—in other words, this was a total and surreal surprise.
February 23, 2019
Speaking at Gettysburg College
On 11/3/18, I had the privilege of speaking at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, as part of a comic convention called LincCon (clever). Thanks to all who turned out and to the motivated students who made it possible for me to be there.
There's always one.
There's always one.
February 22, 2019
Batman, Bill, and Brigham Young
On 2/20/19, I had the pleasure of speaking at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, where your backdrop is this:
I was invited by the Copyright Licensing Office. The topic was Bill Finger framed through the lens of copyright. The talk was open to anyone on campus. The turnout exceeded my expectations—surely in part due to the extensive marketing (which included free pizza).
A touch I especially appreciated: attendees filed in to a mix of songs (including "Philadelphia Freedom" by Elton John) that had all been the focus of a copyright claim. (I did not hear the two I knew of offhand, "I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis and the News vs. "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. or "One Fine Day" by the Chiffons vs. "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison.)
After, I gave a 30-minute interview to Julie Rose for Top of Mind, the daily BYU radio program (also available on other services including SiriusXM).
Thank you again to Peter Midgley for making this happen and Julie for your interest.
I was invited by the Copyright Licensing Office. The topic was Bill Finger framed through the lens of copyright. The talk was open to anyone on campus. The turnout exceeded my expectations—surely in part due to the extensive marketing (which included free pizza).
A touch I especially appreciated: attendees filed in to a mix of songs (including "Philadelphia Freedom" by Elton John) that had all been the focus of a copyright claim. (I did not hear the two I knew of offhand, "I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis and the News vs. "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. or "One Fine Day" by the Chiffons vs. "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison.)
After, I gave a 30-minute interview to Julie Rose for Top of Mind, the daily BYU radio program (also available on other services including SiriusXM).
Thank you again to Peter Midgley for making this happen and Julie for your interest.
February 19, 2019
Best of the blog 2018
This blog launched on 2/19/08.
Every February 19, I share what I feel have been the strongest posts of the previous 12 months.
This year's hit list:
interviews
child actors from classic episodes of The Twilight Zone
Superman II actress Leueen Willoughby ("The big one's just as strong as Superman!")
Superman II actress Robin Pappas
FairyTale: A True Story actress Florence Hoath
cast of the Budweiser "Whassup!" commercials
speaking
an unforeseen problem when mentioning sexual orientation during an elementary assembly
brave and heartening responses from kids after an insensitive incident at their school
brave and uplifting public appearance by a same-sex family who were hurt by students during elementary assembly
advocating for diversity at kidlit conferences
inaugural speaker for Pat Scales lecture series at University of Montevallo
miscellaneous
Lyn Simmons (Bill Finger's second wife), 1922-2018
visiting my third of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu
visiting the Beatles sites of Hamburg, Germany
visiting a Mayan ruin in Guatemala that became a Star Wars Rebel base
visiting the real-life Hall of Justice, in Ohio
Every February 19, I share what I feel have been the strongest posts of the previous 12 months.
This year's hit list:
interviews
child actors from classic episodes of The Twilight Zone
Superman II actress Leueen Willoughby ("The big one's just as strong as Superman!")
Superman II actress Robin Pappas
FairyTale: A True Story actress Florence Hoath
cast of the Budweiser "Whassup!" commercials
speaking
an unforeseen problem when mentioning sexual orientation during an elementary assembly
brave and heartening responses from kids after an insensitive incident at their school
brave and uplifting public appearance by a same-sex family who were hurt by students during elementary assembly
advocating for diversity at kidlit conferences
inaugural speaker for Pat Scales lecture series at University of Montevallo
miscellaneous
Lyn Simmons (Bill Finger's second wife), 1922-2018
visiting my third of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu
visiting the Beatles sites of Hamburg, Germany
visiting a Mayan ruin in Guatemala that became a Star Wars Rebel base
visiting the real-life Hall of Justice, in Ohio
February 2, 2019
"Thirty Minutes Over Oregon" an ALSC Notable Children's Books 2019
Thank you to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) for including Thirty Minutes Over Oregon on your 2019 list of "the best of the best in children's books."
Congrats to all others honored!
Congrats to all others honored!
January 23, 2019
Weekend in Marrakesh, Morocco
My kind new friends at the Casablanca American School helped me arrange a trip to Marrakesh, which some say is the most beautiful city in the country.
It's about two-and-a-half hours by train. I left Saturday morning and returned Sunday afternoon.
The train compartment in my section sat six, three and three facing each other; seats were assigned. On my way home, what I presume were a husband and wife were already seated when I got there. They were Muslim. The fourth to arrive was another Muslim women. I didn't understand what they said, but the husband and wife switched places so the two women would be sitting next to each other. (But they didn't speak to each other. I am sitting next to the man as I write this.)
The school warned me that Marrakesh taxi drivers try to take advantage of foreigners. They typically don't run the meter and charge whatever they want. I was therefore instructed to simply hand over 20 dirhams (about two dollars) for my six-minute ride and hop out. That wouldn't be so easy considering my bag would be in the trunk, so instead I was transparent up front.
At the train station in Marrakesh, I got in a taxi, gave the name of my hotel, and asked him to run the meter. He said no and explained that the tariff (by which I believe he meant fixed fee) was 100 dirhams (ten dollars). I said 20, he said no, I got out. I tried again—this time only 70 dirhams, but still much more than the actual rate. It took four tries to find a guy who begrudgingly agreed to 30 though I repeated that I would paying 20. (I ended up voluntarily paying 28.)
Shortly after settling in to the hotel, I set off on a three-hour tour of the city. My guide, Adil, kindly let me choose the destinations. Midway through, he told me that his first child was born only two days ago! I asked what he was doing with me and he said he has to work; besides, he said, a lot of family were at his house. At first I took this to mean that his wife had plenty of help; I later understood it also meant he needed a break from the crowd (only to lead a stranger through another).
The main sites I saw:
Majorelle GardensDjemaa el-Fnaa (main square)souks and beyondLazama Synagogue
Majorelle Gardens
Named for (and abounding with) Marjorelle Blue, a vibrant variation of the color that was created here.
I saw it before Instagram did.
Djemaa el-Fnaa
The famous and expansive square home to food stalls and exotic entertainment for more than 1,000 years. Here there be cobras and monkeys (and, unfortunately, animal rights violations). One snake-charmer tried to force a snake around my neck so he could force (or at least guilt) me into handing over a few coins. I resisted…but not because I wasn't prepared to spend money.
New best friend...for a price.
Note the sadly common sight of a monkey or Barbary ape,chained.
souks and beyond
These dried (and dyed) flowers are an invitation into this shop, housed in the former Jewish quarter.
This is lipstick:
A defunct public fountain, used until the 1950s or '60s when people began to have running water at home:
In Marrakesh, even the laundry is colorful:
Lazama Synagogue
The area for female prayer is a fraction of the space as what the men get down below.
Though Jews left this part of the city in large numbers after World War II, the Jewish street names remain.
A view within my hotel, floor 3:
It's about two-and-a-half hours by train. I left Saturday morning and returned Sunday afternoon.
The train compartment in my section sat six, three and three facing each other; seats were assigned. On my way home, what I presume were a husband and wife were already seated when I got there. They were Muslim. The fourth to arrive was another Muslim women. I didn't understand what they said, but the husband and wife switched places so the two women would be sitting next to each other. (But they didn't speak to each other. I am sitting next to the man as I write this.)
The school warned me that Marrakesh taxi drivers try to take advantage of foreigners. They typically don't run the meter and charge whatever they want. I was therefore instructed to simply hand over 20 dirhams (about two dollars) for my six-minute ride and hop out. That wouldn't be so easy considering my bag would be in the trunk, so instead I was transparent up front.
At the train station in Marrakesh, I got in a taxi, gave the name of my hotel, and asked him to run the meter. He said no and explained that the tariff (by which I believe he meant fixed fee) was 100 dirhams (ten dollars). I said 20, he said no, I got out. I tried again—this time only 70 dirhams, but still much more than the actual rate. It took four tries to find a guy who begrudgingly agreed to 30 though I repeated that I would paying 20. (I ended up voluntarily paying 28.)
Shortly after settling in to the hotel, I set off on a three-hour tour of the city. My guide, Adil, kindly let me choose the destinations. Midway through, he told me that his first child was born only two days ago! I asked what he was doing with me and he said he has to work; besides, he said, a lot of family were at his house. At first I took this to mean that his wife had plenty of help; I later understood it also meant he needed a break from the crowd (only to lead a stranger through another).
The main sites I saw:
Majorelle GardensDjemaa el-Fnaa (main square)souks and beyondLazama Synagogue
Majorelle Gardens
Named for (and abounding with) Marjorelle Blue, a vibrant variation of the color that was created here.
I saw it before Instagram did.Djemaa el-Fnaa
The famous and expansive square home to food stalls and exotic entertainment for more than 1,000 years. Here there be cobras and monkeys (and, unfortunately, animal rights violations). One snake-charmer tried to force a snake around my neck so he could force (or at least guilt) me into handing over a few coins. I resisted…but not because I wasn't prepared to spend money.
New best friend...for a price.
Note the sadly common sight of a monkey or Barbary ape,chained. 
souks and beyond
These dried (and dyed) flowers are an invitation into this shop, housed in the former Jewish quarter.
This is lipstick:
A defunct public fountain, used until the 1950s or '60s when people began to have running water at home:
In Marrakesh, even the laundry is colorful:
Lazama Synagogue
The area for female prayer is a fraction of the space as what the men get down below.
Though Jews left this part of the city in large numbers after World War II, the Jewish street names remain.
A view within my hotel, floor 3:
