We are just three weeks away from the start of the Comic-Con international‘s 2023 edition of the San Diego Comic Con, and the Comic-Con Museum has announced a bunch of new exhibits, activations, and events that will open on July 18th in time for the big event.
The Museum will debut three new exhibits and features, along with hands-on programming, opening to the public on Tuesday, July 18, at 10 a.m.
“We always want to pay tribute to creators, innovators, and legends in the popular arts world,” said Museum Executive Director Rita Vandergaw. “We do just that in an homage to Stan Lee’s 100th birthday and Cowboy Bebop’s 25th anniversary. Anime features have been one of the top requests from attendees, so we’re looking forward to celebrating the fandoms of Cowboy Bebop and My Hero Academia with Crunchyroll for current and future fans to discover.”
The new exhibits set to debut are:
“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. 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 Fingeroff, Benjamin LeClear, Mark Yturralde and Funko.
“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, including JJ Harrison, Utomaru, La Boca, Tom Whalen, Murugiah, Sachin Teng, and more. 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 in partnership with Crunchyroll and Mondo.
“My Hero Academia Installation”
Presented in partnership with 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.
“Comic-Con Masquerade” Expansion
The exhibit will double in size, featuring new and former winners and entrants’ costumes from the Comic-Con Masquerade, the annual costume competition at the convention, plus costumes from noted costume designer Allan Lavigne.
In addition to the new exhibits, the following events will happening at the Museum during Comic-Con and are free to Museum guests:
CARDBOARD SUPERHEROES workshop, led by founders and brothers Connor and Bauer Lee, on Thursday, July 20, invites guests to drop in throughout the day and create cardboard model superheroes, characters, and signature accessories. Participation is free with admission, as space allows.
Museum guests can also explore Comic-Con Museum’s headlining animation exhibit and other existing exhibits, including:
· “The Animation Academy – from Pencils to Pixels” – The Museum’s main exhibit invites visitors to transport themselves behind the scenes of some of their favorite cartoons and animated characters. Animation Academy has over 20 interactive stations, allowing visitors to experiment and create their own stop-motion animated short, learn about the art of storyboarding, and snap photos in the sets of popular animated TV shows and movies.
· “Cover Story: Five Decades of Comic-Con” – This exhibit showcases the Souvenir Book cover art and publications over the 50-year history of Comic-Con International illustrated by some of the most famous comic book artists including Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Sergio Aragonés, Frank Miller, Moebius, Alex Ross, Jim Lee, and John Romita Sr. and Jr., with many notable characters and icons featured.
· “Rick Geary and the Comic-Con Toucan” – This is a special exhibit on comic artist Rick Geary’s creation of the famous Comic-Con Toucan, from the 1980s to now.
· “PAC-MAN Arcade” – This neon-lit arcade room features one of the most recognized images on the planet, including free endless arcade games, artwork, and memorabilia.
Comic-Con Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m., and the Museum will be open on Monday, July 24 after Comic-Con. Admission (adults ages 18+) is $25; children (ages 6-12) are $12; seniors (65+), students (13-17) and military are $18. Children five years of age and below are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at comic-conmuseum.org or at the door.
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