Reflecting Culture: The Evolution of American Comic Book Superheroes

The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has announced the July 14th opening of a first-of-its-kind exhibition, Reflecting Culture: The Evolution of American Comic Book Superheroes on view until January 13, 2008. The exhibition traces the way in which comic books have reflected an ever-evolving American culture through more than 150 original drawings, rare comic books and graphic novelsfrom the Golden Age of comics (1938-1946) to the present. Never-before-seen original drawings and other work from the private collection of area resident Michael Uslan, Executive Producer of Batman and Batman Begins, will be the cornerstone of this exhibit, which unites seminal work of the genre from private collections around the country.
Curated by MAM's Chief Curator Gail Stavitsky, with assistance from Curator of Native American Art Twig Johnson, and award-winning film producer and comic book collector Michael Uslan, Reflecting Culture: The Evolution of American Comic Book Superheroes examines the modern comic book, from its humble origins in 1934 as the reprinted pages of Sunday newspaper comic strips, to its ascent as a thriving industry that has fueled the American imagination, to the enormous successes of its contemporary offspring, the Hollywood blockbuster film.
A second exhibition, Comic Book Legends: Joe, Adam, and Andy Kubert, will feature the original drawings of the comic art dynasty that has influenced generations with their work. The exhibition of select art from the Kuberts' oeuvre will hang in the Shelby Gallery.
"By September 2007, a significant portion of MAM's galleries will be devoted to the comic book genre, with all of its cultural, artistic and social relevance," says Patterson Sims, Director of the Montclair Art Museum, "The September unveiling of a new, site-specific mural by Greg Hildebrandt, and the September opening of the exhibition of contemplative and thought-provoking work by Dulce Pinzón will further the Museum's exploration of the this facet of popular art."

July 14, 2007 - January 13, 2008