If there were a Mount Rushmore of comic book artists, the late, great Will Eisner would undoubtedly claim his spot. His groundbreaking work is currently being honored with a stunning exhibition at the Philippe Labaune Gallery in New York. This showcase features original artwork from iconic works such as *The Spirit* and *A Contract with God*, highlighting Eisner's profound influence on the comic book medium.

Explore the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive peek at some of the pages from *The Spirit*'s story "Tarnation" featured in the exhibition:

The Spirit: "Tarnation" Preview Gallery

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The Will Eisner Exhibit at the Philippe Labaune Gallery spans the breadth of Eisner's illustrious career, from 1941 to 2002. The exhibit includes a vast array of works, from comic strips like *The Spirit* and *New York: The Big City* to a nearly complete, sequential presentation of his groundbreaking graphic novel, *A Contract with God: The Super*.

Philippe Labaune shared with IGN, "Will Eisner’s *The Spirit*, first published in 1940, revolutionized comic books with its innovative stylistic breakthroughs that transformed storytelling. Eisner's masterful use of cinematic techniques, such as dynamic panel layouts, varying perspectives, and clever transitions, mimicked the flow of film. He also experimented with visual symbolism, using backgrounds and environmental elements to reflect a character’s emotions or the tone of a scene, thus adding depth and meaning to the artwork. His incorporation of splash pages and fluid page designs broke away from the rigid grid structures, creating a more immersive reading experience. Through these stylistic advancements, Eisner not only set new standards for comic art but also showcased the medium’s potential to deliver sophisticated and engaging genre-based narratives."

The Will Eisner Exhibit will open its doors on Thursday, February 13, with an opening reception from 6pm to 9pm ET. The exhibit will run through Saturday, March 8. The Philippe Labaune Gallery is located at 534 West 24th Street in New York and is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10am to 6pm ET.

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