Comic-Con Museum

From Big Dots to the Digital Universe: The Evolution of Comic Book Color
2023-10-04 00:00 - 23:59 UTC
THE EVOLUTION OF COMIC BOOK COLOR

Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

From Big Dots to the Digital Universe:

The Evolution of Comic Book Color

Embark on a journey through the vibrant history of comic book coloring with Comic-Con Inkpot Award recipient Steve Oliff! This exhibit will take guests through a mesmerizing transformation from big dots on paper to the cutting-edge realm of computer-generated hues. Oliff and his company Olyoptics are known for their groundbreaking work using technology for color separation and ushering in a digital revolution for comic book publishing.

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Exhibit highlights include Oliff’s Eisner Award-winning colorist work on the Japanese manga Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo. The exhibit will also feature his art from other projects including Batman, Spawn, and The Maxx.

POPnology
2023-10-04 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

POPNOLOGY

Immerse yourself in the world of POPnology, Comic-Con Museum’s latest interactive exhibit that demonstrates the connection between pop culture and real-world technology! Engage with your favorite science fiction technology such as driverless cars, robots, drones, and more to learn how fantasy becomes reality and explore which science fiction of today will become reality tomorrow.

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POPnology not only chronicles humans’ progression from science fiction to science fact but also illuminates emerging technologies that are just now showing up on the cultural radar. Highlights of the exhibit include:

How We Play – The future of toys and games. Is virtual the new reality? Experience Oculus Rift and virtual projection games for a 3D sensory experience made exclusively for POPnology.

How We Connect – The revolution in communication technology, with concept drawings from the visual futurists who created the looks for Blade Runner, and an authentic replica of the communication device used by E.T. to “phone home.”

How We Live and Work – Inventions and ideas that shape daily life, including interacting with robots.

How We Move – The future of transportation on Earth and beyond, featuring a full-sized replica of the Back to the Future DMC DeLorean and the world’s first 3D-printed car.

EXCELSIOR! THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF STAN LEE
2023-07-18 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

EXCELSIOR! THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF STAN LEE

Stan Lee appeared at Comic-Con numerous times over the course of his 78-year career to delight his legions of fans. This year, Comic-Con Museum and Kartoon Studios, the controlling partner to the “Stan Lee Universe” IP, present a first-ever exhibit to celebrate his 100 years of legacy.

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The exhibit will feature rare comic books, original art, and paintings exploring decades of Lee’s work, and a section devoted entirely to Lee’s co-creators of the Marvel Universe, including Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and other amazing co-creators. The exhibit has been curated by Comic-Con Museum; Michael Uslan, originator and executive producer of the Batman movie franchise; and David Uslan, both consultants to Kartoon Studios’ “Stan Lee Universe.” Artwork will feature never-before-seen items donated by auction houses and private collectors, including Heritage Auctions, DC Comics, Metropolis Comics, Gary Stiffelman, Dr. Michael Vassallo, Michael E. Uslan, Rob Prior, Danny Fingeroth, Benjamin LeClear, Mark Yturralde, and Funko.

COWBOY BEBOP 25TH ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBITION
2023-07-18 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

COWBOY BEBOP 25TH ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBITION

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic anime “COWBOY BEBOP,” a gallery of commissioned art was created to capture the essence of the series’ iconic characters, settings, and themes through the unique style and interpretation of the artists. The creation of these pieces has allowed creators – who are also fans of the series – to express their appreciation for the series and contribute to the vast and diverse range of artistic interpretations of this beloved anime. This gallery is presented by Crunchyroll and Mondo.

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MY HERO ACADEMIA INSTALLATION
2023-07-18 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

MY HERO ACADEMIA INSTALLATION

Presented by Crunchyroll, the statue of the “Historical Battle in Kamino” from “My Hero Academia” is a stunning representation of the epic fight between All Might and All For One in Season 3 Episode 48. By capturing this iconic moment, the statue showcases the artistry and significance of the My Hero Academia franchise, providing fans with an opportunity to relive the excitement and celebrate their love for the series.

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COLLEEN DORAN ILLUSTRATES NEIL GAIMAN
2023-10-04 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

COLLEEN DORAN ILLUSTRATES NEIL GAIMAN

Comic-Con Museum presents Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman, an exhibition of original art by the award-winning artist Colleen Doran featuring her illustrations of stories by Neil Gaiman including Chivalry; Snow, Glass, Apples; The Sandman; Troll Bridge; American Gods, Norse Mythology; and Good Omens.

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The centerpiece of the exhibit is 20 lush hand-painted pages from Doran’s Chivalry (Dark Horse Books), telling the story of Mrs. Whitaker, a British widow who finds the Holy Grail in a thrift shop and the knight who offers her priceless relics in exchange so he can win the Grail and end his quest.

In the midst of a long career drawing comics for such titles as Wonder Woman, Amazing Spider-Man, and her own creator-owned title A Distant Soil, Colleen Doran has found her artistic Holy Grail in her series of adaptations of Neil Gaiman short stories published by Dark Horse, including her latest masterpiece Chivalry, the Eisner and Bram Stoker Award-winning dark fantasy Snow, Glass, Apples, and Troll Bridge, a spooky coming-of-age story.

A lifelong enthusiast of Arthurian mythology, Doran longed to adapt Gaiman’s 1998 short story Chivalry. Doran’s pages for Chivalry are full of symbolism taken from her personal life, world history, and Arthurian legend. Her color palette of iridescent jewel tones, rich golds, and detailed drawings make viewing the original artwork a special experience.

Also on view are several pages from Snow, Glass, Apples, Doran’s version of Gaiman’s chilling retelling of the Snow White story, drawn in an intricate style influenced by the Irish artist Harry Clarke, as well as works from other Doran/Gaiman titles such as The Sandman, American Gods, Norse Mythology, and her new adaptation of Good Omens

Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman opens at Comic-Con Museum on October 4, 2023, following a successful run at the Society of Illustrators in New York. The exhibition is curated by Kim A. Munson, editor of the Eisner nominated anthology Comic Art in Museums and 2022 Eisner Awards Judge.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Colleen Doran is a cartoonist/illustrator whose recent adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s short story Snow, Glass, Apples received the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel and the Eisner Award for Best Adaptation from Another Medium, as well as the Ringo Award for Best Graphic Novel. Her adaptation of Gaiman’s beloved short story Chivalry has been nominated for the Eisner and Reuben Awards and has won the Locus Award for Best Illustrated and Art Book. Her work also appeared in Gaiman’s Sandman, his graphic novels American Gods and Norse Mythology, as well as The New York Times bestselling adaptation of his story Troll Bridge. Doran created the artwork for Stan Lee’s bestselling graphic novel autobiography Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee. She has also illustrated work for musicians The Doors, Tori Amos, Blondie, and Melissa Etheridge, and the fashion house Balmain.

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Kim A. Munson is the editor of the Eisner Award-nominated anthology Comic Art in Museums, the first academic book to explore the evolution of thought about comic art 1930-present as manifested in art exhibitions. She was a 2022 Eisner Awards judge and the curator of Women in Comics at the Society of Illustrators (NYC), the Palazzo Merulana (Rome), and the Foques Corte dell’Arte (Naples).

Cardboard Superheroes
2023-01-01 00:00 - 23:59
Summer Nights 2026: TTRPG Edition

Cardboard Superheroes

This exhibit features life-size and miniature cardboard creations that are the work of the Cardboard Superheroes, Connor and Bauer Lee. The Cardboard Superheroes use fan art creation as an on-ramp to STEAM learning that is led by youth, and is accessible to all. The Cardboard Superheroes exhibit showcases the Comic-Con Museum Education Center’s commitment to youth creativity and entrepreneurship.

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