GEMS OF COMAC ART.

• Position: OUT OF THE PAST

"Popeye, Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Panther--some cartoon characters have become both instantly and internationally recognizable, but they didn't get their start on television or in the movies, but rather on the pages of newspapers and comic books." AN EXHIBITION at the Library of Congress explores how comic books have permeated popular entertainment and influenced U.S. culture, highlighting selections from the Stephen A. Geppi Collection that was donated to the national library in 2018.

"Geppi Gems" is on view in the Library's Graphic Arts Gallery through mid March 2022. A second rotation with different displays is planned for spring 2022. The exhibition showcases items from the collection of more than 3,000 cartoons, comic books, and related ephemera in the Geppi Collection.

The wide range of rare comics on display spans genres that include Walt Disney's iconic characters, Westerns, superheroes, science fiction, horror, sports, music, and entertainment.

"Popeye, Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Panther--some cartoon characters have become both instantly and internationally recognizable, but they didn't get their start on television or in the movies, but rather on the pages of newspapers and comic books," notes Sara Duke, curator of Popular and Applied Graphic Arts.

The exhibition explores the role of early newspapers in the development of comic books and characters. As a nod to the collection's founder, the exhibit also represents the major themes of the former Geppi Entertainment Museum in Baltimore, Md., which operated between 2006-18.

"It's so gratifying to see more of the Geppi Gems collection made available to the public in this exhibition," Geppi says. 'This and future displays will continue to expose new fans to the rich artistic history of pop culture started here in the U.S. I'm more excited than ever and want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to my dear friend and Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, for her vision, as well as the curators and...