Inventing America: The Comic Book Revolution

The Skirball’s Jack Kirby exhibition may be over, but the museum has followed it up with this expansive look at how comics came to dominate pop culture. Many of the creators of the medium were immigrants and outsiders—including Jewish Americans—who poured their experiences with struggle, aspiration and reinvention into their work. From the Great Depression through Y2K, comics reflected the national moment and in the process actually helped shape American identity. On display, you’ll find original artwork and artifacts relating to beloved comic book characters, from superheroes like Superman and Black Panther to comedic classics like Little Lulu, Archie and Alfred E. Neuman. The exhibition does a great job of tracing the entire history of the medium in an accessible and engaging way, and should satisfy both comic book lovers and history buffs alike.