Comics Icon Will Eisner Honored at Philippe Labaune Gallery Exhibition

Will Eisner, a giant in the world of comic book art, deserves a place on any Mount Rushmore of the medium. His groundbreaking work is now being celebrated at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery. The exhibition showcases original artwork from iconic titles such as The Spirit and A Contract with God, offering a rare glimpse into Eisner's creative genius.

Below is a slideshow 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 spans his entire career, from 1941 to 2002. The exhibition features numerous pages from classic strips like The Spirit and New York: The Big City, along with 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 and storytelling," says Labaune. "His masterful use of cinematic techniques—dynamic panel layouts, varying perspectives, clever transitions—mimicked the flow of film. Eisner's visual symbolism, using backgrounds and environmental elements to reflect character emotions and scene tone, added layers of meaning. His splash pages and fluid page designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Eisner set new standards for comic art and demonstrated the medium's potential for sophisticated narratives."

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