Press Release
“And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand! Through the years, their roster has prospered, changing many times, but their glory has never been denied! Heed the call, then—for now, the Avengers Assemble!”
The Cartoon Art Museum celebrates five decades of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes with Avengers Assemble!, an exhibition featuring some of the most iconic characters in comic book history, including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, The Wasp, Hawkeye, Black Widow and The Incredible Hulk. Artists featured in this retrospective include Jack Kirby, who co-created the series with writer Stan Lee in 1963; John Buscema, considered by many to be the definitive Avengers artist; and Neal Adams, whose photo-realistic style changed comics forever in the 1960s and 1970s. Rarities from infrequent Avengers artists will also be featured, including works by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko; DC Comics Vice President Jim Lee; and Sal Buscema, one of Marvel’s most prolific pencilers. Contemporary Avengers artists John Romita Jr. and Frank Cho will also be spotlighted.
This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Big Wow! ComicFest, which will feature an exhibition of original Avengers artwork at the San Jose Convention Center on May 19 & 20. Highlights from this exhibition will be incorporated into Avengers Assemble! At the Cartoon Art Museum the following week.
Big Wow! ComicFest is the Bay Area’s largest comic convention this year, including dozens of special guests and exhibitors. Featured guests include Jim Lee (Batman, Justice League of America), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing, Heavy Metal), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Travis Charest (Metabarons), Kevin Nowlan (Superman vs. Aliens), Sergio Aragonés (MAD, Sergio Aragonés Funnies), Bob Layton (Iron Man, Avengers), Frank Cho (Avengers, Liberty Meadows) and many, many more guests and special exhibitors! Please visit http://www.bigwowcomicfest.com/ for a full list of exhibitors and programming.
Please visit the Cartoon Art Museum’s website, http://cartoonart.org, for announcements regarding additional programming throughout the exhibition’s run.
