Comics Icon Will Eisner Honored at Philippe Labaune Gallery Exhibition

Will Eisner, a giant in the world of comic book art, is finally getting the recognition he deserves. A new exhibition at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery celebrates his groundbreaking work, showcasing original art from classics 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 his entire career, from 1941 to 2002. It features pages from iconic strips like The Spirit and New York: The Big City, along with a near-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 layouts, varied perspectives, clever transitions—mimicked film. He used visual symbolism in backgrounds to reflect emotions and tone, adding layers of meaning. His use of splash pages and fluid designs broke from rigid structures, creating a more immersive experience. Eisner set new standards and showed the medium's potential 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 is at 534 West 24th Street, New York, open Thursday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm ET.