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 sneak peek at select Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" story featured in the exhibition:

The Spirit: "Tarnation" Gallery Preview

6 Images

The exhibition, "The Will Eisner Exhibit," spans Eisner's prolific career (1941-2002), featuring 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.

According to Labaune, Eisner's 1940 debut of The Spirit revolutionized comics with its innovative style. He masterfully employed cinematic techniques, including dynamic panel layouts, diverse perspectives, and seamless transitions, mirroring the fluidity of film. Eisner’s use of visual symbolism, incorporating environmental details to reflect character emotions and scene tone, added depth and meaning. His innovative use of splash pages and fluid page designs moved beyond rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Eisner's contributions redefined comic art and showcased the medium's potential for sophisticated storytelling.

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

For more comic book news, explore upcoming releases from Marvel and DC in 2025.