85 years
of Marvel Comics and blockbusters
Over 200
rare & original
artifacts
Hundreds
of iconic heroines and heroes
"We have attempted to tell three distinct but interconnected stories: the company and creators’ real-world history, the characters’ fictional in-world history, and the history of how Marvel has influenced— and been influenced by—the larger culture.
We have tried to capture the vast, interconnected, multimedia reality of Marvel with an exhibition that is a living thing unto itself. From the photo ops to the original art to the texts and image selections to the form of the galleries themselves."
– Ben Saunders (Chief Curator) & Patrick A. Reed (Associate Curator)
Key Features of the Exhibition
Authentic costumes from the movies and series
Including Iron Man’s armor from Marvel Studios Iron Man (2008) starring Robert Downey Jr., the film that launched the Marvel Cincematic Universe as well as a selection of Academy Award-winning costumes from Marvel Studios Black Panther (2018) and Marvel Studios Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Over 60 pieces of original artworks by legendary comic artists
Including the first page from Fantastic Four #5 drawn by the team’s co-creator Jack Kirby, featuring the first-ever appearance of evil mastermind Doctor Doom as well as the last surviving piece of original art from the first-ever Marvel comic.
Props from Marvel Studios
Including Captain America’s shield from Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame (2019) or Thor’s hammer from Marvel Studios Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Historic documents und artifacts
Like Marvel Comics #1 from 1939 or Amazing Fantasy #15, the comic marking Spider-Man’s first appearance in 1962.
Numerous photo opportunities
Including life-size statues of characters like Hulk or Ms. Marvel.