New York’s Philippe Labaune Gallery has unveiled a landmark exhibition showcasing the extraordinary work of Will Eisner, widely celebrated as “The Father of the Graphic Novel.” Spanning the legendary cartoonist’s entire career, the exhibit offers a rare opportunity to experience Eisner’s groundbreaking art firsthand. Featuring 79 original pieces, including iconic pages from The Spirit, New York The Big City comic strips, and a nearly complete presentation of A Contract With God: The Super, the collection underscores Eisner’s profound impact on the comic book medium.
In celebration of this tribute to one of the most influential artists in graphic storytelling, The Beat reached out to Philippe Labaune, the gallery owner and curator, to discuss the significance of this exhibition and its place in the broader landscape of art.
DIEGO HIGUERA: What inspired the Philippe Labaune Gallery to organize this career-spanning exhibition of Will Eisner’s work?
PHILLIPE LABAUNE: I’ve wanted to do an exhibition of Will Eisner’s work since we opened the gallery. He’s had such an immense influence on the comic world, not just in terms of artistic style but in how we think about storytelling in the medium. Eisner’s work transcends the typical boundaries of comics and really set the foundation for what we now know as the graphic novel. His unique approach to blending text and imagery has inspired generations of artists and writers. He didn’t just push the limits of comic art – he completely redefined what was possible in terms of narrative. Shining a light on his contributions was always something that was on my mind. So it’s been a long time coming, and we’re excited to finally bring this exhibition to life.
This exhibition came together thanks to a wonderful collaboration with Denis Kitchen, who has been Will Eisner’s representative for the past 30 years. Denis is a well-respected figure in the comic art world, and I was fortunate enough to connect with him through a mutual friend. From there, it was a back-and-forth process – working closely with him and the Eisner estate to ensure we could secure the pieces that best represent Eisner’s groundbreaking work and his legacy. We are very grateful for Denis’s help, as his expertise was crucial in making this show a reality. It’s been an exciting process, and I’m thrilled to see this show become a reality.
HIGUERA: Can you tell us more about the selection process for the 79 original pieces featured in the exhibit? Were there any challenges in curating this collection?
LABAUNE: From the start, I knew I wanted pieces from A Contract With God. All of Eisner’s work is significant, but that book, in particular, holds a special place for me – it’s a landmark in the medium, a book that changed the conversation around what comics could be. So when I started discussing the exhibition with Denis Kitchen, I made it clear: A Contract With God had to be part of it.
I knew the first story, A Contract With God, had been sold over 15 years ago, so my focus shifted to the three other stories in the book, The Super, The Street Singer, and Cookalein. Out of those, the last two are “light” in the sense that the subject matters and even the drawings are closer to Eisner’s regular sequential art. It feels like he wanted to breathe after the first story which is so close to his own experience of losing a child at a young age (Eisner lost his daughter to leukemia at the age of 16). The Super stood as the strongest and closest to the vein of the first story in both the atmosphere and drawing style. It is a powerful piece of storytelling that showcases Eisner’s mastery of blending text and imagery. I was thrilled when Denis told me the family of the late artist was willing to give us The Super. It is a story filled with the deep emotional weight that made A Contract With God so groundbreaking. The fact that we get to present sequentially is something really special that we have never done before. It’s a first for our gallery.
HIGUERA: A Contract with God is often credited as the first modern graphic novel. How do you think Eisner’s storytelling in “The Super” continues to resonate with contemporary audiences?
LABAUNE: Will Eisner’s The Super continues to resonate with contemporary audiences due to its exploration of serious and complex themes like power, responsibility, and human nature. These themes resonate with audiences on a deep emotional level. Eisner’s ability to use the comic form to convey emotional depth and character psychology was groundbreaking at the time and continues to feel significant today. The pacing, panel transitions, and his use of the medium’s potential to show inner conflict—whether through a close-up or a visual metaphor—are techniques still influential in modern comics and graphic novels. The Super challenges the idealized, invulnerable figures we often see. It explores what happens when those who are meant to protect the public are themselves grappling with flaws, insecurities, and personal doubts. Contemporary audiences, who are increasingly interested in more nuanced, realistic portrayals of human nature, find this theme deeply resonant.
HIGUERA: Eisner was not only an artist but also a teacher and an advocate for comics as a serious art form. How does this exhibition highlight his contributions beyond his own creative work?
LABAUNE: This exhibition highlights Will Eisner’s contributions beyond his own creative work by honoring his legacy and emphasizing his role in elevating comics as a serious art form. Central to his legacy is the way he solidified comics not just as entertainment, but as a respected literary and artistic medium. Through his work, Eisner introduced a more nuanced, creative approach to storytelling, which had a lasting impact on both the art of comics and its perception in the broader artistic community.
Eisner’s innovations extended beyond his own creations; as a teacher and advocate, he played a crucial role in bridging the gap between comics and fine art. His educational contributions, particularly through his book Comics and Sequential Art, helped establish comics as a legitimate artistic and literary pursuit. This text remains a key resource for aspiring comic artists, offering a deeper understanding of visual storytelling while reflecting Eisner’s philosophy and process. We hope that this exhibition not only celebrates his creative work but also showcases how he influenced the development of comics as a respected art form for future generations.
HIGUERA: The Philippe Labaune Gallery has featured a mix of European and American comic artists. How does Eisner’s work fit into this broader artistic conversation?
LABAUNE: Will Eisner’s work fits into the broader artistic conversation at our gallery as a foundational bridge between fine art and comics, which aligns perfectly with the gallery’s mission. Eisner was a pioneering force who redefined comics as a serious art form, blending visual storytelling with the depth and complexity of literature. His work transcends the traditional boundaries of the medium, utilizing comics to explore profound human experiences and social issues, much in the same way painters, illustrators, and other fine artists approach narrative and expression.
The gallery’s focus on high-end narrative art and illustration naturally includes Eisner’s influence, given his innovative role in shaping modern comics. Just as European artists like Hergé and Enki Bilal have redefined comics through their unique visual styles and literary themes, Eisner did the same on the American side, integrating sophisticated storytelling techniques and elevating the craft with his graphic novels, like A Contract with God. His work demonstrated that comics were not simply a medium for entertainment, but a legitimate form of artistic expression, and this is at the heart of the gallery.
HIGUERA: For visitors who may not be familiar with Eisner’s work, what do you hope they take away from this exhibition?
LABAUNE: What I hope people take away from this exhibition is just how much Will Eisner changed the way we think about comics—not just as entertainment, but as a serious artistic and literary form. Eisner was a pioneer in demonstrating that comics could tell deeply personal, emotionally complex stories, that they could wrestle with serious themes and resonate on a level far beyond traditional genre expectations.
This show is about honoring that legacy. It’s about giving people a chance to see firsthand why Eisner was so important—not just to comics, but to storytelling as a whole. His influence is everywhere, from the way graphic novels are respected today to the way visual narratives are constructed across different media.
By putting these works in a gallery setting, we’re emphasizing that Eisner wasn’t just a great comic artist—he was a master of his craft, someone who pushed the boundaries of what the medium could achieve. Whether someone walks in already familiar with his work or is encountering it for the first time, my hope is that they leave with a deeper appreciation for what he accomplished and how profoundly he shaped the art form.
HIGUERA: I think it’s important to have these kinds of exhibits, especially now. Do you see exhibitions like this influencing the way comic art is perceived in fine art spaces? What role do you think galleries play in legitimizing sequential art as a serious literary and artistic medium?
LABAUNE: Absolutely, exhibitions like this play a crucial role in reshaping how comic art is perceived in fine art spaces. For decades, comics were often seen as a form of entertainment aimed at a specific audience, not a legitimate artistic or literary medium. But by showcasing the work of groundbreaking artists like Will Eisner alongside fine artists and illustrators from different disciplines, exhibitions like this help break down the barriers that have traditionally separated comics from the world of high art. The public’s exposure to these works in galleries challenges preconceived notions and elevates comics as a sophisticated, multifaceted art form.
HIGUERA: If you’ll indulge me, is there anything you would like to say to readers interested in this new project?
LABAUNE: There’s no doubt that all of Eisner’s work is significant. Something that I hope audiences pay attention to is Will Eisner’s portrayal of New York City, the city that we all love! Eisner captures the city’s diverse neighborhoods, architecture, and the complexities of its inhabitants, making it a central character in his stories. His representation conveys the emotional weight and character of the city, emphasizing themes of isolation, struggle, and aspiration. There’s quite a lot of emotion built into them, and I hope readers appreciate their significance.
The Philippe Labaune Gallery, located at 534 West 24th Street in New York, is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. With deep European roots, the gallery has showcased renowned artists such as Lorenzo Mattotti, Nicolas de Crécy, Guido Crepax, Dave McKean, and François Schuiten. In recent years, it has also become a hub for American talent, including Landis Blair, Rebecca Leveille Guay, Frank Miller, and Peter de Sève, creating a vibrant community of art collectors and comic fans from around the globe.
The Will Eisner Exhibit started display on February 13 and will continue to March 8 dont miss out on a chance to see this once in a lifetime exhibit! For more information check out their website here!
