Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 years in comics

Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 years in comics,The Foundling Museum

The first major exhibition to explore the representation of foundlings, orphans, adoptees, and foster children in comics, graphic novels and sequential art from around the globe.

DC’s Superman, who was found by his adoptive parents, is one of many comic heroes who are orphans: Spider-Man’s parents die in a plane crash; Batman’s parents are killed in a street robbery, and Black Panther – whose mother dies soon after childbirth and whose father is killed – is known as ‘the Orphan King’. Marvel’s X-Men experience both discrimination and social ostracisation. The superheroes’ early life experiences impact on their roles and the stance they take over good and evil in their comic lives.

Looking beyond the traditional ‘superhero’ genre the exhibition also includes characters from early newspaper comic strips, Japanese Manga and contemporary graphic novel protagonists. Historical newspapers, original artwork and contemporary digital work will be on display, as well as examples of international comics rarely exhibited in the UK.

Three new artistic commissions that examine care identity and experience have been specially created for the exhibition by comic artists Asia Alfasi, Bex Glendining and Woodrow Phoenix.

Duration 01 April 2022 - 28 August 2022
Times Tuesday - Sunday 10am-5pm
Cost £10.50 adult / free for under 21
Venue The Foundling Museum
Address 40 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ
Contact 4402078413600 / enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk / https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk

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