The Legend of Wonder Woman

Exhibition Opens July 1, 2021

San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum proudly presents The Legend of Wonder Woman, an exhibition celebrating 80 years of DC Comics’ iconic Amazon.

“At 80 years of age, Wonder Woman is indisputably the most recognizable fictional character in history. It’s a bold claim, but one hard to disprove,” says historian Andy Mangels. “No other character from books, film or television, music, or mythology is as well-known — visually — as she is because her mark on entertainment spans not only multiple generations, but also transcends language barriers and ages. Great-grandparents and children alike all know the red bustier and star-spangled shorts, the bulletproof bracelets and golden lasso of truth, the golden tiara and the invisible plane.” 

All DC Comics characters and images are © & ™ DC Comics. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

All DC Comics characters and images are © & ™ DC Comics. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

The Legend of Wonder Woman features comic books, merchandise, and original illustrations by many of Wonder Woman’s most prominent artists, including H.G. Peter, who co-created the character in 1941 alongside writer William Moulton Marston; Trina Robbins, legendary underground comix artist and herstorian; George Pérez, who revitalized and redefined Wonder Woman for the 1980s; Robyn Smith, artist of the critically acclaimed YA graphic novel Nubia: Real One; and fan favorites including Colleen Doran, Phil Jimenez, and Liam Sharp.

The exhibition features original essays by Trina Robbins, who discusses her lifelong Wonder Woman fandom, and Andy Mangels, who shares a complete history of the character in a comprehensive retrospective entitled “Look Back in Wonder.”

All DC Comics characters and images are © & ™ DC Comics. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Trina Robbins

Andy Mangels, with Lynda Carter, star of the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series.

The Legend of Wonder Woman will be supplemented by a series of online programs featuring many of DC Comics’ top writers and artists, as well as a public reception later this summer. Please visit cartoonart.org for more information.

About the Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art Museum can be visited at 781 Beach Street in San Francisco and online at cartoonart.org. 

They Called Us Enemy: A Graphic Memoir

Exhibition on view January 18–May 17, 2020

Opening reception TBA

San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum, Top Shelf Productions and IDW Publishing proudly present They Called Us Enemy featuring artist Harmony Becker’s artwork from the acclaimed graphic memoir written by actor, author, and activist George Takei in which Takei revisits his haunting childhood in American concentration camps, as one of 120,000 Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. The exhibition includes an inside look at Becker’s creative process, including excerpts from her reference library and never before seen preparatory illustrations.

This exhibition also features a selection of original artwork from the Cartoon Art Museum’s permanent collection, including comic strips and animation from the 1940s, providing patrons with a snapshot of popular entertainment on the home front during the second World War.

They Called Us Enemy, actor, author, and activist George Takei’s graphic memoir, featuring artwork by Harmony Becker.

George Takei.

About They Called Us Enemy

A stunning graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei's childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. Experience the forces that shaped an American icon—and America itself—in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love.

George Takei has captured hearts and minds worldwide with his captivating stage presence and outspoken commitment to equal rights. But long before he braved new frontiers in Star Trek, he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's—and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future.

In 1942, at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten "relocation centers," hundreds or thousands of miles from home, where they would be held for years under armed guard.

They Called Us Enemy is Takei's firsthand account of those years behind barbed wire, the joys and terrors of growing up under legalized racism, his mother's hard choices, his father's faith in democracy, and the way those experiences planted the seeds for his astonishing future.

What does it mean to be American? Who gets to decide? When the world is against you, what can one person do? To answer these questions, George Takei joins co-writers Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker for the journey of a lifetime.

George Takei with co-writers Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott, and artist Harmony Becker. Photo by Jon Ortiz.

About the Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art Museum can be visited online at cartoonart.org and at 781 Beach Street in San Francisco.

A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson

Patrick McDonnell's Bill Watterson Tribute image © Mutts 2019 All Rights Reserved

A Benefit for the Cartoon Art Museum

San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum is proud to announce its second biennial Tribute Auction, A Boy and His Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson, featuring original art in homage to Bill Watterson and his seminal comic strip creation Calvin and Hobbes.

Watterson’s classic comic strip Calvin and Hobbes first appeared in newspapers in 1985 and ran for 10 years, twice earning Watterson the National Cartoonists Society’s prestigious Reuben Award and appearing in more than 2,400 papers worldwide at its peak. Both comics fans and artists were drawn in by Watterson’s artistic style, charming characters, and unique perspective on childhood—and the kids who grew up with Calvin are now sharing the strip with their own children more than two decades after Calvin and Hobbes departed the comics page.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s salute to Watterson’s enduring talent, A Boy and his Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson, will include original brand-new creations from dozens of top graphic novelists, animators, and cartoonists who have drawn inspiration from the Watterson’s imaginative comic strip. Featured artists include Harry Bliss (The New Yorker) with Steve Martin, Jeffrey Brown (Darth Vader and Son), Brian Fies (A Fire Story) Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Steve Purcell (Sam and Max), Riley Rossmo, Jon Way$hak, Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie), and more to be announced.

Above images: Tributes to Bill Watterson (right to left) Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Riley Rossmo, Brian Fies (A Fire Story), Harry Bliss and Steve Martin, All works © their respective creators. All Rights Reserved 2019.

"There are many pioneers in the field of cartooning, but Bill Watterson emerges as one of the most timeless and multidimensional creators that has ever existed,” said CAM Executive Director Summerlea Kashar. “Our staff and board are very excited to pay tribute to such an amazing artist and we’re overwhelmed by the talent and generosity of the participating artists."

Online Auction

The online auction will launch on eBay in the beginning of December, under the user account “cartoonartmuseum.”

After a pause for the winter holidays, the auction will continue after new year with new pieces added biweekly. Preview pieces for the auction may be viewed at our Comic Art Fans page.

The auction will support the museum’s ongoing public programming and exhibitions. Artists have been asked to create original work in the spirit of Watterson’s classic comic strip, drawing on thematic elements and character dynamics of Calvin and Hobbes.

Auction Catalog and Exhibition

The Cartoon Art Museum will publish a full color catalog collection all of the artwork created for this auction, as well as present an exhibition of the pieces in March 2020, before the recipients receive them.

Proceeds from A Boy and his Tiger: A Tribute to Bill Watterson will support the museum’s programs and exhibitions.

About the Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art Museum can be visited online at cartoonart.org and at its new location, 781 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109.

Emerging Artist Showcase featuring Gemma Correll

Gemma Correll, “Worrier Pose,” 2015.

Exhibition on view December 20, 2019 through March 29, 2020

San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum presents the art of Gemma Correll in the latest installment of its ongoing Emerging Artist Showcase. This exhibit features a selection of Correll's favorite cartoons, including material from The Worrier’s Guide to Life and TheNib.com.

Originally from rainy East Anglia, England, writer, artist, and cartoonist Gemma Correll currently resides in Orange, California with her trusty pug sidekicks, Mr Pickles and Zander. 

Gemma’s published works include The Worrier’s Guide to Life and A Pug’s Guide to Etiquette, as well as her award-winning eponymous series of quirky, humorous greeting cards and gift products which are sold all over the world and displayed in pride of place on her Grandmother’s mantelpiece. Gemma’s comics appear at TheNib.com, The Lily and on GoComics. She has also collaborated with charities including Mental Health America and the Red Cross. Gemma’s influences include Lynda Barry, Matt Groening and Mimi Pond as well as old Disney cartoons, folk art and the sense of purpose that comes from drinking a lot of coffee.

Gemma Correll in her studio, with pug.

About The Emerging Artist Showcase

The Cartoon Art Museum’s Emerging Artist Showcase is dedicated to the presentation of new and emerging voices in comics, from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. This ongoing series of exhibitions is curated by the Cartoon Art Museum and supported in part by the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

About the Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art Museum can be visited online at cartoonart.org and at its new location, 781 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109.

Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics

EC Comics masks by Trick or Treat Studios

Celebrate the Halloween season with a spine-tingling selection of some the scariest comics ever produced!

Exhibition on view October 12, 2019 – March 1, 2020

The Cartoon Art Museum presents an exhibition of original comic book art from the heyday of storied publisher EC Comics, Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics, on display from October 12, 2019 through March 1, 2020.

From 1950 to 1954, EC Comics dominated newsstands with best-selling titles including Tales from The Crypt, The Vault of Horror, and The Haunt of Fear. Under the guidance of publisher William Gaines and editor Al Feldstein, an array of talented artists including Jack Davis and “Ghastly” Graham Ingels shocked and thrilled readers with tales of terror and suspense, and created some of the most indelible, unforgettable comic book stories ever published.

In 1954, due to growing societal concerns about comic books contributing to juvenile delinquency, publishers established The Comics Code Authority, a committee that would establish its own code of conduct for American comic book publishing. Comic books that met with the CCA’s guidelines would receive its seal of approval, while those that failed to meet the CCA’s standards were deemed unfit for publication and national newsstand distribution. The implementation of the Comics Code led to the cancellation of nearly all of the EC publishing line, and the Golden Age of comic book horror came to an abrupt end, although their impact can still be seen today in comics, film, and prose created by a legion of “EC Fan-Addicts” including Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and George Romero.

Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics celebrates the artistry of the Golden Age of EC Comics with a showcase of several acclaimed short stories from Tales from The Crypt, The Vault of Horror, and The Haunt of Fear published in 1952 and 1953, at the peak of EC’s popularity.   

This exhibition features a series of EC Comics-inspired masks created by Trick or Treat Studios, a California-based studio that produces high quality costumes, props, and masks. Pre-Code Horror includes the classic EC Horror Hosts The Old Witch, The Vault Keeper, and The Crypt Keeper, as well as zombies inspired by the artwork of “Ghastly” Graham Ingels.

About Trick or Treat Studios

Trick or Treat Studios offers high quality Halloween Masks, Costumes, Props, Weapons, Make-up, Appliances, and Accessories for Retailers, Distributors, Collectors and Haunts. With original characters, monsters, and major licenses from comics, gaming, music, television, and film, Trick or Treat Studios is the go-to company for the best in the Costuming Industry.

Incorporated in 2009, Trick or Treat Studios is dedicated to bringing back the retro / classic look and feel from the Golden Age of costume making; an era when high quality and classic designs ruled the industry.

About the Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. The museum’s vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it. The Cartoon Art Museum can be visited online at cartoonart.org and at 781 Beach Street in San Francisco.

Making Faces: Portraits By John Kascht

Exhibition on view September 14, 2019 extended through January 12, 2020

Opening Reception September 22, 2019: John Kascht in conversation with Pete Docter

"John Kascht has the rare and unique gift of not only being an amazing artist, but of somehow being able to capture the soul of a person in a drawing."

–Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer Pixar Animation Studios, Academy Award-winning director of Monsters, Inc., UP, and Inside Out

San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum is proud to present MAKING FACES: Portraits by John Kascht, a retrospective featuring more than 60 original portraits by one of America’s most incisive and celebrated caricature artists. MAKING FACES is a retrospective of drawings and paintings by caricature artist John Kascht, whose irreverent work turns the leisurely pastime of people-watching into an Xtreme sport. The show draws from a large body of work created during Kascht’s 35-year career as an illustrator. 

The exhibition features satirical portraits of notable figures, with subjects of interest to moviegoers, music lovers, pop-culture geeks, history buffs, political junkies and even people who hate art shows. 

With its star-studded content and wry humor, MAKING FACES entertains. The show also offers a thought-provoking look at the serious intent behind the funny pictures: 

• how we perceive ourselves and others 

• what’s involved in capturing a likeness 

• how outward appearances reveal interior realities 

• the public facades that shape our view of celebrity and political subjects 

• the use of satirical art for entertainment and for protest 

Visitors to the show are sure to leave smiling and it’s likely they won’t look at faces—or the mirror—the same way again. 

MAKING FACES: Portraits by John Kascht is on display at the Cartoon Art Museum from September 14, 2019 through January 5, 2020. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019, and will feature Kascht in conversation with Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios. Advance tickets for this event may be purchased online: https://guestlist.co/events/621462

ABOUT THE ARTIST

John Kascht's satirical drawings have appeared on book covers, billboards, Broadway marquees and more than a few cocktail napkins. His clients include The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Time, Newsweek, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, LIFE, The Los Angeles Times, Golf Digest, Forbes, TV Guide, The Village Voice, The New York Observer, The Chicago Tribune, Reader’s Digest, W, Vibe, Oprah, Glamour, US News and World Report, and MAD magazine.

In recent years Kascht has produced multimedia features for websites and digital publications, adding another dimension to his trademark examinations of political and celebrity culture.

Kascht's art has been the subject of documentary segments for the Smithsonian, public television, and the Discovery Channel. Two dozen of his works are in the collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Cartoon Art Museum Doubles Donations and Expands Programming at San Diego’s Comic-Con International 2019

San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA

Booth #1930

Requires Convention Badge

The Cartoon Art Museum will return to Comic-Con International, held July 17-21, 2019 in San Diego at their regular booth space #1930. The museum will be raising contributions for their general fund through their annual Sketch-a-thon, hosting panels and running more cartooning workshops than ever.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s annual Sketch-a-thon fundraiser features comic industry artists from all over that volunteer their time and talent to draw sketch rewards for donations to the museum starting at $10 and up. This year a generous donor has challenged the museum to match $25,000 in contributions to the museum over the summer, including the historic Sketch-a-thon. The full list of artists follows at the end of this article.

In addition to fundraising the museum will also carry several catalogs, including a museum exclusive signed editions of Grains of Sand: 25 Years of Sandman, From Bloom County to Mars, and more. Plus find unique comic and related books at their booth #1930 like May it Amuse the Court and pre-order signed and sketched copies of Batman: The Definitive History of The Dark Knight by Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago.

Cartoon Art Museum staff will also host or take part in several signings, panels and workshops for comic lovers young and old.

Panels, Signings and Workshops

Thursday, July 18

BATMAN: 80 Years of The Dark Knight, 11am-12pm, Comic-Con Museum

Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago looks bat at eight decades of DC’s iconic Caped Crusader in a special presentation at San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum.

Batman and the Secret Origin of Bill Finger, 4-5pm, Room 23ABC

Tom King (Batman, Mister Miracle) and Marc Andreyko (Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77, Supergirl) lead a discussion and Q&A with Marc Tyler Nobleman (Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman) on his nine-year campaign to add Bill Finger to the Batman credit line and the unprecedented documentary Batman & Bill, which has been compared to (no joke) everything from This Is Us and Serial to Rocky and Citizen Kane. Moderated by Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago.  

Prism Awards: Diversity and Recognition in Comics, 5-6pm, Room 28DE

The winners of the Third Annual Prism Awards will be revealed in this part panel discussion and part awards ceremony full of fabulous fun! Founders Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), Ted Abenheim (Prism Comics), and Nina L. Taylor Kester (Cartoon Art Museum/Queer Comics Expo), and judges Heidi McDonald (Comics Beat) and Mey Rude will discuss the awards and their emerging role in recognizing, promoting, and celebrating diversity and excellence in the field of queer comics and present the handcrafted Prism Awards to the winning creators. Plus, you never know what queer icons just might show up! 

Friday, July 19

Cartoon Art Museum Demo: Watercolor for Cartooning, 7-8pm, Room 2

Watercolors can be a magical medium for any artform, including comics. Watch beginner to advanced technique demonstrations meant specifically for comics led by educator Nina L. Taylor Kester (museum program coordinator). Plus, watch as Alina Chau (Marshmallow & Jordan) and Ben Seto (Skullbunnies) share their mastery of this classic medium to create wondrous works of comic art. Lucky attendees will win some of the art created or go home with an art kit to start their own watercolor adventure. Materials provided by Sakura of America, General Pencil, and Blick Art Supplies.

Saturday, July 20

Autograph signing, 2-3pm, Insight Editions booth #3721

Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago will sign free promotional posters for his forthcoming book Batman: The Definitive History of The Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond

Sunday, July 21

 Spotlight on Jae Lee, 12-1pm, Room 4

Have you wondered what life is like for a comic book artist? Are you looking for tips and tricks of the trade? If so, please join Comic-Con special guest Jae Lee for his spotlight panel. Moderated by Cartoon Art Museum Curator Andrew Farago.

Cartoon Art Museum Workshop: Drawing Characters, 2-3pm, Room 11

Cartoon Art Museum friends and educators Alex Simmons (The Art of Making Comics /Blackjack /Archie) and Melissa Pagluica (Above the Clouds) will present a beginner workshop for the whole family. Fans young and old looking to get started in drawing cartoons and creating characters can follow along in this interactive program. Learn how to use basic shapes to create some of your favorite characters. Drawing materials are provided by Sakura of America and General Pencil.

Cartoon Art Museum: Let's Play!, 3:30-4:30pm, Room 2

Let's play comics! Participate in three family-friendly comic art minigames that you can play at home, led by the by educator Nina L. Taylor Kester (Cartoon Art Museum) and artists Steenz (co-creator of Archival Quality /cartoonist/editor), Michael Son (Tapas, editor-in-chief), Thien Pham (Sumo, Level Up), and more. Open your eyes to a whole world of creative visual storytelling games like Creature Creator, Exquisite Corpse, Dungeons & Dragons and Mangaka/Cartooner. Supplies provided by Sakura of America, General Pencil, and Blick Art Supplies. 

Cartoon Art Museum: San Diego Comic-Con Sketch-A-Thon Schedule

Table #1930

Thursday, July 18

11:00am-12:00pm: Ambrose Quintanilla IV, Kraig Rasmussen

12:00-1:00pm: Ryan Claytor

1:00-2:00pm: Chuck Whelon, Matthew Loux

2:00-3:00pm: Rantz Hoseley, John Hageman

3:00-4:00pm: Melissa Pagluica, Nina Taylor Kester

4:00-5:00pm: Greg Espinoza, Rick Lucey

5:00-6:00pm: Stephen Notley, Lonnie Millsap

6:00-7:00pm: Chris Brandt

Friday, July 19

11:00am -12:00pm: Andrew Farago, Kraig Rasmussen

12:00-1:00pm: Dean LeCrone, Kraig Rasmussen

1:00-2:00pm: Lisa Dosson, John Gervais

2:00-3:00pm: Mark Badger, Lee Marrs

3:00-4:00pm: Eddie DeAngelini, Ambrose Quintanilla IV

4:00-5:00pm: Michael Son and friends

5:00-6:00pm: Christine Knopp, Gemma Correll

6:00-7:00pm: Thien Pham

Saturday, July 20

11:00am-12:00pm: Jeffrey Brown, Maia Kobabe

12:00-1:00pm: Shaenon K. Garrity, Phil Foglio

1:00-2:00pm: Kim Dwinell, Greg Evans

2:00-3:00pm: Andy Runton, Aron Steinke

3:00-4:00pm: Nomi Kane, Lalo Alcaraz

4:00-5:00pm: Ron Yavnieli, Bill Morrison

5:00-6:00pm: Shannon Wheeler, Mark Badger

6:00-7:00pm: Kraig Rasmussen, Thien Pham

Sunday, July 21

11:00am-12:00pm: James A. Owen, Ron Yavnieli

12:00-1:00pm: Greg Espinoza, Thien Pham

1:00-2:00pm: Kraig Rasmussen, Shannon Wheeler

2:00-3:00pm: Andrew Farago, Greg McCrary