SDCC 2023: San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum To Debut New Stan Lee, ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ And ‘My Hero Academia’ Exhibits
by Gary Catig
In a few weeks, thousands of people will gather for San Diego Comic-Con. The annual event is a pop culture mecca that encompasses comics, film, television, video games and more. If you have the time to leave the convention center and head over to Balboa Park, you can also pay a visit to the Comic-Con Museum where they are debuting a number of exciting new exhibits the same week on July 18, 2023. They include a tribute to the legendary Stan Lee, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Cowboy Bebop, and a My Hero Academia installation.
Check out what’s opening in the official descriptions below.
“Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee”
Stan Lee appeared at Comic-Con numerous times over the course of his 78-year career to delight his legions of fans. This year, Comic-Con Museum and Kartoon Studios, the controlling partner to the “Stan Lee Universe” IP, present a first-ever exhibit to celebrate his 100 years of legacy. The exhibit will feature rare comic books, original art, and paintings exploring decades of Lee’s work and a section devoted entirely to Lee’s co-creators of the Marvel Universe, including Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and other amazing co-creators. The exhibit has been curated by Comic-Con Museum; Michael Uslan, originator and executive producer of the Batman movie franchise; and David Uslan, both consultants to Kartoon Studios’ “Stan Lee Universe.” Artwork will feature never-before-seen items donated by auction houses and private collectors, including Heritage Auctions, DC Comics, Metropolis Comics, Gary Stiffelman, Dr. Michael Vassallo, Michael E. Uslan, Rob Prior, Danny Fingeroff, Benjamin LeClear, Mark Yturralde and Funko.
“Cowboy Bebop 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition”
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic anime, Cowboy Beebop, a gallery of commissioned art was created to capture the essence of the series’ iconic characters, settings, and themes through the unique style and interpretation of the artists, including JJ Harrison, Utomaru, La Boca, Tom Whalen, Murugiah, Sachin Teng, and more. The creation of these pieces has allowed creators – who are also fans of the series – to express their appreciation for the series and contribute to the vast and diverse range of artistic interpretations of this beloved anime. This gallery is presented in partnership with Crunchyroll and Mondo.
“My Hero Academia Installation”
Presented in partnership with Crunchyroll, the statue of the “Historical Battle in Kamino” from My Hero Academia is a stunning representation of the epic fight between All Might and All For One in Season 3 Episode 48. By capturing this iconic moment, the statue showcases the artistry and significance of the My Hero Academia franchise, providing fans with an opportunity to relive the excitement and celebrate their love for the series.
“Comic-Con Masquerade” Expansion
The exhibit will double in size, featuring new and former winners and entrants’ costumes from the Comic-Con Masquerade, the annual costume competition at the convention, plus costumes from noted costume designer, Allan Lavigne.
Visitors to the Comic-Con Museum can also experience the current “The Animation Academy – from Pencils to Pixels,” “Cover Story: Five Decades of Comic-Con” of Souvenir Book covers, an exhibit on “Rick Geary and the Comic-Con Toucan” and the “PAC-MAN Arcade” exhibits.
