[Editor’s note: On Sunday, November 8, Saturday, November 21, Sunday, January 10, and Saturday, February 6, families are invited to the museum for a special “Superheroes in Gotham” Family Tour. For more information, click HERE.]
Just like their amazing feats and incredible origin stories, superheroes today possess an outsize influence on pop culture, from radio shows and comics to television shows and films. But before superheroes became a global phenomenon, the idea was born in New York City: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Captain America all created between 1938 and 1941, with Spider-Man, Iron Man, and others joining the early 1960s. The New-York Historical Society’s new exhibit, “Superheroes in Gotham,” follows the fascinating history of these heroes, from their beginnings as sketches in New York.
Whether you’re a superhero fanatic who attends Comic Con every year, or more of a casual fan, “Superheroes in Gotham” is enjoyable for families and kids of all ages. It is also a great place to visit for those who are interested in American history or media technology. If you need a place to take the entire family, this exhibit has something for every age group.
Visitors who love superheroes will be interested to see how their favorite characters have evolved throughout American history. The first gallery displays big trading cards detailing each superhero’s identities, origins, and abilities. Old concept art is displayed throughout the galley, as well as costumes from different movies and television series. In some ways, throughout time our superheroes have maintained their basic characteristics. But they also change to remain relevant in each era and through each wave of changing media technology.
In addition to showing the history of superheroes, this exhibit traces the history of popular American concerns. Curator Debra Bach notes that the early Superman and Batman comics reflect worries about interacting with different kinds of technology, transportation, and the unknown perils of science. Moving forward, even before the United States entered World War II, comic books reflected America’s societal anxieties.
For instance, during the Cold War, Spider-Man was a reflection of American feelings surrounding the rise of nuclear power and the influence of science–Peter Parker was transformed because he was bitten by a radioactive spider. Iron Man, whose family business was to manufacture weapons, reflected concerns about Vietnam and the challenges modern man faces are expressed in his stories. “You definitely see very important worldwide events that were on Americans’ minds reflected in comic books, whether they’re straight out referred to or they’re sort of masked in some way,” Bach says.
The exhibit also showcases a history of popular media technologies. As America shifted to different technologies, the superheroes’ stories transformed and adapted to different mediums.
“It indicates the rise of radio, the development of animation as a popular entertainment, the development of movies,” Bach says. To experience all of these different technologies, visitors can listen to clips from the Superman radio show, and check out TV screens playing clips from old cartoons, television series, and movies. Other fun, interactive features include a photo booth and a quiz to see which superhero you are. Bach says she has seen children completely mesmerized by the old cartoons, just like the ones their parents and grandparents probably watched as children. She has also seen adults get excited taking the quiz and enjoying the photo booth.
And who can play it cool when encountering the original working Batmobile, which greets visitors at the museum’s Central Park West entrance?
“I think [ the exhibit] brings out the kid in all of us, but I also think there’s things for everyone in there,” Bach adds.
“Superheroes in Gotham” will be on display through February 21, 2016. For more information, visit nyhistory.org!
