Will Eisner, a giant in the world of comic book art, is finally getting the spotlight he deserves. A new exhibition at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery celebrates his groundbreaking work, showcasing original art from iconic titles like The Spirit and A Contract with God.
Below, you can get an exclusive sneak peek at some Spirit pages from the "Tarnation" story featured in the exhibition:
The Spirit: "Tarnation" Preview Gallery
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The Philippe Labaune Gallery's "Will Eisner Exhibit" spans Eisner's entire career (1941-2002), featuring pages from The Spirit, New York: The Big City, and a nearly 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," says Labaune. "His cinematic techniques—dynamic panel layouts, varied perspectives, clever transitions—mimicked film. Eisner also masterfully used visual symbolism, enriching the artwork with layers of meaning. His use of splash pages and fluid designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. He set new standards and showed the potential of comics for sophisticated storytelling."
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 to 6pm ET.
For more comic book news, check out our previews of Marvel and DC's 2025 plans.
