Comics Icon Will Eisner Honored at Philippe Labaune Gallery Exhibition

A retrospective celebrating the groundbreaking work of the late, great Will Eisner is now open at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery. The exhibition showcases original artwork from Eisner's iconic creations, including The Spirit and A Contract with God.

Below is a preview of original Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" 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 seminal 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 seamless transitions—mimicked film's flow. Eisner's use of visual symbolism, incorporating environmental details to reflect character emotions and scene tone, added depth. His innovative splash pages and fluid page designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Eisner redefined comic art, showcasing 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 further news in the comic book world, explore upcoming releases from Marvel and DC in 2025.