Comic Books as Art

A knit-created artistic representation of Batman

Comic books aren't just for kids anymore. Tomorrow, a 3-day Awesome Com will begin at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center here. Thousands will attend. As part of the event, the promoters are inviting costumed superheroes to descend on the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool grounds at noon on Friday in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the largest gathering ever of people dressed as comic book characters.

But the explosion of comic book characters is not only occurring in popular culture, it is showing a big influence in the world of fine art as well.

From now until June 8th, the Strathmore is presenting the exhibition A Shared Universe: The Art of Comic Books. The exhibition showcases 116 original works by professional and student artists at the Mansion at Strathmore.

Spidey can watch you read

"The exhibition is about the exponential growth of a genre and its virtual tidal wave of influence and aesthetic," says curator Harriet Lesser. "From original pencil drawings and hand inkings to graphic design and digital manipulation, these fantastic stories intrigue all ages and have influenced literacy."

In addition to admiring the art work, visitors can also come to learn much about the history of comic books through copies of older works, word posters, and videos placed throughout the exhibition.

If you go, you can complete your visit by perusing a collection of comic books offered in a special reading room.

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Here is a sampling of what you will see at A Shared Universe: The Art of Comic Books