ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938–1950 February 19, 2009

Discover the genesis of beloved cultural icons Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and more. Featuring never-before-exhibited art and objects culled from private and institutional collections, this delight-filled exhibition explores the early years of the comic book format. Visitors of all ages will learn how, in the midst of the economic and political turmoil of the 1930s and 1940s, comic books offered young Jewish artists the opportunity to express their talents through the storylines and art of comic books—and ultimately gave America champions who shaped the values of an entire generation.

Objects on view include rare artwork and books, 1940s Hollywood movie serials, and colorful interactive displays, including a drawing studio, a newsstand, a vintage Batmobile ride, and stations that invite children to dress up as Superheroes via a quick costume change in a telephone booth. Guest curator Jerry Robinson, who co-created The Joker, one of the first Super-Villains, brings a long history as an industry insider to this illuminating exhibition.

Official Website: http://www.skirball.org