A retrospective celebrating the groundbreaking work of the late, great Will Eisner is now open at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery. The exhibition showcases original artwork from Eisner's iconic creations, including The Spirit and A Contract with God.
Below is a sneak peek at some original Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" story featured in the exhibition:
The Spirit: "Tarnation" Gallery Preview
6 Images
The exhibition spans Eisner's prolific career (1941-2002), encompassing pages from The Spirit, New York: The Big City, and a near-complete presentation of his seminal graphic novel, A Contract with God: The Super.
"Will Eisner's The Spirit, first published in 1940, revolutionized comics with its innovative style," Labaune told IGN. "His cinematic techniques – dynamic layouts, varied perspectives, and skillful transitions – mimicked film's flow. Eisner masterfully used visual symbolism, enriching the artwork with layers of meaning. His use of splash pages and fluid designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Eisner redefined comic art and showcased the medium's potential for sophisticated narratives."
The Will Eisner Exhibit opens Thursday, February 13th, with a reception from 6pm to 9pm ET. It runs through Saturday, March 8th. The Philippe Labaune Gallery (534 West 24th Street, New York) is open Thursday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm ET.
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