Comics Icon Will Eisner Honored at Philippe Labaune Gallery Exhibition

A retrospective celebrating the legendary Will Eisner, a titan of comic book artistry, is now open at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery. The exhibition showcases original artwork from Eisner's iconic works, including The Spirit and A Contract with God.

Below is a sneak peek at select Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" story featured in the exhibit:

The Spirit: "Tarnation" Gallery Preview

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The exhibition, "The Will Eisner Exhibit," spans Eisner's remarkable career (1941-2002), encompassing pages from The Spirit, New York: The Big City, and a nearly complete presentation of his groundbreaking graphic novel, A Contract with God: The Super.

"Will Eisner's The Spirit, debuting in 1940, revolutionized comics with its innovative style and storytelling," Labaune told IGN. "His cinematic techniques—dynamic panel layouts, varied perspectives, and seamless transitions—were groundbreaking. Eisner masterfully used visual symbolism, enriching the narrative through background details and environmental cues reflecting character emotions and scene tone. His use of splash pages and fluid page designs moved beyond rigid formats, creating a truly immersive reading experience. Eisner redefined comic art and showcased the medium's potential for sophisticated storytelling."

The Will Eisner Exhibit opens Thursday, February 13th, with a reception from 6pm to 9pm ET. The exhibit runs until Saturday, March 8th. The Philippe Labaune Gallery (534 West 24th Street, New York) is open Thursday-Saturday, 10am-6pm ET.

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