Superheroes in Gotham Selected PR Images from the New‐York Historical Society Exhibition (October 9, 2015 – February 21, 2016)

Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist), Action Bob Kane and Bill Finger Batman (No. 1, Spring Comics (No. 1, June 1938). Published by Detective 1940). Published by Detective Comics, Inc., New Comics, Inc., New York. Courtesy of York. Serial and Government Publications Division, Metropoliscomics.com. Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Superman first appeared in the wake of the Great Depression in Action Comics (No. 1). Instantaneously popular, Superman and his crime‐fighting adventures became prototypes for the superheroes that followed. In 1939, Batman was introduced in Detective Comics (No. 27) and soon after Batman (No. 1) was published. A brooding, urban vigilante, who was also adept at using state‐of‐the‐art technology, Batman’s story spoke to many of the challenges of modern city life. Within a year of his debut, Batman earned his own comic book series.

Jerry Siegel with his typewriter, ca. 1943. Collection of Steve Soboroff. H. G. Peter, Drawing of Wonder Woman in Costume, ca. 1941. Courtesy of Metropoliscomics.com.

Wonder Woman was introduced to the American public in 1941 in All Star Comics (No. 8). This drawing depicts an early iteration of her patriotic costume. Wonder Woman debut coincided with the United States’ entry into World War II. Many early superhero artists served in the military during the war and adapted their superhero characters for army training manuals and military newspapers. Superman creator Jerry Siegel enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and wrote regular columns for several military newspapers, including Stars & Stripes and Yank.

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Amazing Fantasy (No. 15, September 1962). Steve Ditko, Original art for the first appearance of Published by Atlas Magazines, Inc. Serial and Spiderman in Amazing Fantasy (No. 15, 1962). Government Publications Division, Library of Serial and Government Publications Division, Congress, Washington D.C. Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Spider‐Man was created in 1962 by the renowned Marvel editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. As instinctive humorist and storyteller, Lee developed countless enduring superheroes for what became known as “The Marvel Universe.” On public view for the first time outside of the Library of Congress, the New‐York Historical Society will exhibit two of Ditko’s original drawings from Spider‐Man’s premiere in Amazing Fantasy (No. 15).

Gene Colan and Johnny Craig. Original cover art for Ms. magazine (Issue No. 1), 1972. New‐York Iron Man (no. 1, May 1968). Collection of David Historical Society. Courtesy and © Ms. magazine Mandel.

Introduced during the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War, billionaire businessman‐engineer Tony Stark dons a high‐powered suit of armor, employs technological weapons, and fights to preserve American values against dangerous foreign threats as Iron Man. During the same period, second‐wave feminism moved from theory to action, and Ms. magazine put the image of Wonder Woman on the cover of its inaugural issue.

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Leslie Thomas, Penguin Submarine, production George Barris Kustom City, Batmobile, No. 3, 1966. painting for Batman movie (1966). Acrylic, gouache, The Morris Family Collection. pen and ink, and graphite on board. Special Collections and Archives, Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries.

After appearing in two film serials in the 1940s, Batman was reimagined in a popular television series (1966‐68) and full‐length film (released in 1966). The exhibition will feature three Batman set paintings by art director Leslie Thomas. One of the many iconic props created for the television series was a working Batmobile, a technologically advanced car that aided Batman in his pursuit of evil‐doers. Batmobile No. 3, one of three copies of the famous vehicle, will welcome visitors just inside the New‐York Historical Society’s entrance on Central Park West.

Andrew Herman (Federal Art Project), Philip Pearlstein Superman, 1952. Bowery Restaurant, 1940. The Museum of Oil on canvas. The Museum of Modern Art, the City of New York. New York. Image © SCALA / Art Resource and Betty Cuningham Gallery

From painter Philip Pearlstein to New Yorker cartoonist Mort Gerberg, artists and illustrators have long paid homage to the superhero tradition in their work. To this day, Superman and other characters continue to resonate with everyday citizens grappling with the challenges of living in New York City.

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Dean Haspiel, “The Red Hook,” Trip City, 2013. Courtesy & © Dean Haspiel. Darryl McDaniels (creator), Bob Wiacek (illustrator). DMC graphic novel. © 2014 Darryl Makes Comics, LLC.

Musician Darryl McDaniels rose to prominence during the 1980s with his hip‐hop group Run‐DMC. An avid, long‐ time comic book fan, McDaniels recently created a new superhero, DMC. Set in 1980s New York, DMC strives to “protect the powerless.” In addition to working for large comic book publishers, Dean Haspiel has created memorable characters independently, many of which, like The Red Hook, are only published in digital format.

Attendees at New York Comic Con. Courtesy of New York Comic Con / ReedPOP.

New York Comic Con Poster, 2011. Courtesy of New York Comic Con / ReedPOP.

Fans have always been an integral part of comic book culture. The first New York Comic Con was held in 1964 and attended by a range of future artists, writers, editors, historians, film producers, educators, and collectors. Some of them, who remain devoted fans, are generously lending artifacts to the New‐York Historical Society’s exhibition from their personal collections.

Note: Editorial use only. Works must be used in their entirety with no cropping, detailing, overprinting, or running across the gutter. Reproductions must be appropriately credited.

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