A retrospective celebrating the legendary Will Eisner, a titan of comic book art, 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 gallery preview featuring select pages from "Tarnation," a Spirit story featured in the exhibit:
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 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 shared with IGN. "His cinematic techniques—dynamic panel layouts, varied perspectives, and masterful transitions—mimicked film's flow. Eisner's use of visual symbolism, incorporating background elements to reflect character emotions and scene tone, added depth. His use of splash pages and fluid page designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive 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-6pm ET.
For more comic book news, explore Marvel's and DC's 2025 plans.
