November 15, 2006

John Carlin, the co-curator of Masters of American Comics writes, “The history of comics is about many things — stories, gags, characters and layouts. But in the end, it all boils down to inventive ways to design pictures and words to engage readers and make them pay attention.”

If, like me, you’re interested in the history of Comics, this is the exhibit for you. The two-part exhibition examines how comic books and strips evolved into a full-fledged art form over the twentieth century.

The exhibition’s first part, at The Newark Museum examines comic strips in the first half of the twentieth century, and the second part, at The Jewish Museum looks at comic books from the 1950s onwards.

With over 600 drawings, rare proofs, graphic novels, comic books and newspaper pages, Masters of American Comics is the most comprehensive exhibition of its kind. From Dick Tracy to Jimmy Corrigan to Charlie Brown, this exhibit truly has it all, including works by Pantheon Artists Charles M. Schulz and Chris Ware.

Masters of American Comics runs until January 28, 2007 at The Newark Museum and The Jewish Museum. Be sure to check it out.