The Incredible Mr. Poe: Edgar Allan Poe in the Comics, An Exhibition

In 1941, Russian immigrant Albert Lewis Kanter tried to introduce young people in the United States to fine literature by incorporating the classics into something they were already reading—comic books. In 1944, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” appeared in Kanter’s Classic Comics series, and ever since adaptations of both Poe and his works have been regular features in comic books and graphic novels, many of which will be
on display through October 31 at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond (www.poemuseum.org). Poe has even appeared as a comics hero himself alongside Batman and Scooby Doo.

M. Thomas Inge, Blackwell Professor of Humanities at
Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and Poe Foundation trustee, has studied comic art for over 40 years and published several books on the subject. His collection of comic books from childhood form the core of the exhibition, which is curated by Richmond artist Chris Semtner. Also featured are original artwork by such comic artists and illustrators as Rick Geary, Richard Corben, Gahan Wilson, Gris Grimly, Bill Griffith, and Patrick McDonnell, as well as proof sheets and original pages for some of the Classics Illustrated and other comic book versions loaned by collector Jim Vacca of Boulder, Colorado. An illustrated book and catalog are available for purchase from the Museum Gift Shop with proceeds going to the Museum.

This is the first exhibition ever devoted to the comic books and graphic narratives that have helped keep Poe’s name and works in the public eye for over 60 years. For more information see www.poemuseum.org.