January 23, 2019

Marvel superheroes exhibit coming to Franklin Institute this spring

'See some of the rarest and most precious objects from the past 80 years'

By Sinead Cummings
PhillyVoice Staff

Sandro Vanini/Museum of Pop Culture

Some of Marvel’s most iconic costumes, props, and original art will be on display at The Franklin Institute.

Attention all fans of Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain America and the many other characters in the Marvel Universe.

A new exhibit will open at the Franklin Institute this spring called "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes," and it will feature more than 300 original artifacts, including some of Marvel's most iconic costumes, props and original art.

"Begins with the origins of the Marvel Universe and moves through to the present day, giving a chance to see some of the rarest and most precious objects from the past 80 years of pop culture history," said curator Ben Saunders about the exhibit.

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Sandro Vanini/Museum of Pop Culture

Pictured on the left is a digital feature that transforms guests into Iron Man. On the right is a costume from “Black Panther.”

Visitors will be able to view Chris Evans' Captain America costume, as well as the costumes worn by Chadwick Boseman in "Black Panther" and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: The Dark World."

There will be rare, hand-drawn images of Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain America and other iconic heroes by the artists who first designed them, too.

The exhibit focuses on the narratives of individual Marvel characters, and also pays tribute to pioneering creators like Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.

Visitors can expect life-size scenes that bring the comic book world to life, life-size sculptures of Marvel's beloved characters and interactive elements, such as the opportunity to travel through the mirror dimension seen in "Doctor Strange" and digitally transform into Iron Man.

Doctor Strange Mirror Dimension at Marvel exhibit

Christine Mitchell/Museum of Pop Culture

You are now entering the Mirror Dimension.

“Marvel transformed the idea of the Super Hero in the 1960s – and beyond – by ratcheting up the visual spectacle, emotional dynamism and philosophical sophistication of the action-adventure comics genre," said Brian Crosby, Creative Director of Marvel Themed Entertainment.

"Marvel has always been a reflection of the world outside your window, and one of its most compelling messages has always been, that anyone – regardless of race, religion or gender – can be a superhero."

The exhibit will open Saturday, April 13. Tickets are currently on sale. It will be open through Labor Day.

(Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the wrong day of the week for the exhibit's opening.)