Exhibits
The EIU Comic Fest exhibit Worlds of Wonder: Ink, Imagination, and Comics features many interesting and informational stand-alone exhibits about comics, manga, and graphic novels. Be sure to check them out!
North Entry
Two Great Houses: DC Comics
Located in the large glass case on the east wall of the North Entry, this exhibit highlights historic comic book covers, pivotal people, and important moments in DC Comics history.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Two Great Houses: Marvel Comics
Located in the large glass case on the west wall of the North Entry, this exhibit highlights the movers and shakers, iconic comic issues, and history highlights of Marvel Comics.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Marvin Foyer, Northwest Wall
Small But Mighty: Third Party Publishers
This poster, located in the northwest corner of the Marvin Foyer, highlights the independent comic book publishing companies, focusing on the top three publishers: Image, BOOM! Comics, and Dark Horse.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
A History of Manga
These three cases, located along the northwest wall of the Marvin Foyer, take the viewer on a timeline exploration of the pivotal moments in the development of Manga through the years.
Curated by Ezra Hebron, Adriane Sparks, and Hollis Starkey.
Marvin Foyer, Northeast Wall
Genre: Humor
Humor comics like Archie and Richie Rich have been a longtime standby in the comic book industry. This case exhibits major titles in the humor genre.
Genre: Romance
Comics and manga in the genre of romance are exceptionally popular, particularly such titles as Heartstopper and Love and Rockets. This case highlights fan favorites in the romance genre.
Curated by Ezra Hebron and Todd Bruns.
Genre: Horror
Not all comics are superheroes. This case exhibits examples of comics, manga, and graphic novels in the extraordinarily popular horror genre.
Curated by Glen Davis and Hollis Starkey.
The Comics Code Authority
Many people don't know that governmental and parental concerns about the supposed negative effects of comics led to implementation of the Comics Code Authority. This case examines the background and history of this piece of comic book history.
Curated by Glen Davis.
What Makes a Great Villain?
This poster, located in the northeast corner of the Marvin Foyer, addresses the question of what a creator or writer needs to do to make a truly great and memorable villain.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Marvin Foyer, Southeast Wall
It Takes A Villain
Without a villain a comic book story has no dramatic tension. In many ways, villains are essential for a good comic. This case, located on the southeast wall of the Marvin Foyer, highlights the most iconic comic book villains.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Standing Glass Case
Collectors
This case features collectibles from several of the EIU Comic Fest sponsors and presenters, including Wiliam Weber, Lee Patterson, Joan Alvarado, and more. Two adjacent posters focus on the psychology and the economics of the collecting phenomenon.
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Reference Hallway
Anti-Heroes/Batman
Located on the west side of the Reference Hallway, this case features major anti-hero characters of comic books, including Deadpool, Harlequin, Namor, and more. It also poses a hot topic question: Batman - Anti-Hero or No?
Curated by Todd Bruns.
Wonder Women
This case, located on the east side of the Reference Hallway, highlights superheroines. From Wonder Woman to Captain Marvel, Invisible Woman to Scarlet Witch, and Spider Gwen, these women rock our superhero world.
Curated by Adriane Sparks and Todd Bruns.
Marvin Foyer, Southwest Wall
Sidekicks
Located in the wall case near the entrance to the Artists Alley and Keynote Room, this exhibit focuses on that trusty superhero helper, the Sidekick. Starting with Robin in 1940, superhero sidekicks quickly became a mainstay in superhero comic books. This case features the most iconic sidekicks in comic book history.
Collaboration Commons
Uncle $crooge
Walt Disney’s
Curated by Brad Tolppanen. Comic books from the collection of Benjamin Tolppanen.
Batman
Debuting in 1939, Batman remains one of the most famous and commercially successful of all superheroes. The display includes an informational poster as well as Batman comic books, toys, and LEGO.
Objects and comic books from the collection of Benjamin Tolppanen
Superhero Alley
A display featuring Captain Marvel, Captain America, and other superheroes as well as Stan Lee, the great creator of superheroes.
Curated by Bradley Tolppanen
Book Displays
Manga
This display of manga books are available for EIU students and community card borrowers to check out. Table browse and find something interesting!
Curated by Sarah Johnson.
Cosplay
This display of cosplay books are new additions to the library collection and available for checkout to EIU students and community card borrowers for check out. Table browse and find something interesting! Curated by Sarah Johnson.