The eternal battle of good versus evil: superheroes have been saving humanity time and time again for around 100 years. And comics have always been a playground for crazy ideas. Women and men who can fly or climb walls, read minds and are virtually invulnerable - anything is possible and the imagination is the only limit!
On 1200 square meters of exhibition space with over 1000 exhibits, the NRW-Forum Düsseldorf's first major comic exhibition sheds light on the entire pop-cultural universe of superheroes and their adversaries, the supervillains, from Batman and Joker to manga and anime to politics and propaganda: the show demonstrates the diversity of the genre in a total of eleven themed areas. In addition to numerous comic books, original drawings, sculptures and action toys as well as film clips and media art installations are on display.
Saint Seiya action figure. Masami Kurumada/Shūeisha, Tōei Animation. Photo: Alice Consonni
People around the world are fascinated by the superhuman superpowers, alternate universes, characters and stories that have so strongly influenced our cultures. Superheroes embody the wishes, dreams and hopes of humanity and are a collective vision in defense of democracy. The characters have not only become part of universal pop culture, but have also successfully integrated themselves into our everyday lives - from carnival costumes to mindset coaching for business heroes and heroines.
What makes a heroine and a hero today? How have the characters changed over time? Don't we need new superheroes as mediators of universal values, as guardians of peace and justice in a world that is becoming increasingly fragile?
September 13, 2024 to May 11, 2025
www.nrw-forum.de
YouNeek Studios, Toyin "Morby" Ajetunmobi The Oloris: Heroes will unite, Vol. 1, 2024 Fury Illustration © YouNeek Studios
