Eisner Exhibit Opens at Philippe Labaune Gallery

Will Eisner, a titan of comic book art, deserves a place on any Mount Rushmore of the medium. His groundbreaking work is now celebrated in a captivating exhibition at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery. The show features original artwork from Eisner's classics, including The Spirit and A Contract with God.

Below, enjoy an exclusive preview of The Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" story featured in the exhibition:

The Spirit: "Tarnation" Preview Gallery

6 Images

The Philippe Labaune Gallery's "Will Eisner Exhibit" showcases a comprehensive collection spanning Eisner's illustrious career (1941-2002). Beyond The Spirit and New York: The Big City, the exhibition includes a nearly complete presentation of his seminal graphic novel, A Contract with God: The Super.

"Will Eisner's The Spirit, debuting in 1940, revolutionized comics with its innovative style," Labaune told IGN. "His masterful use of cinematic techniques—dynamic panel layouts, varied perspectives, clever transitions—mimicked the flow of film. Eisner also experimented with visual symbolism, using backgrounds and environmental details to reflect characters' emotions and scene tone, adding depth to his artwork. His use of splash pages and fluid page designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Eisner set new standards and demonstrated comics' potential for sophisticated, engaging narratives."

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