Up, Up & Away: Evolution of the American Comic Book Superhero is the current exhibit at the Museum of Mobile.  The boys and I went this afternoon to check it out.

Beginning with a timeline of different super heroes and topics we learned that original “comics” of yesteryear were called caricatures.  These included political cartoons or drawings to depict current issues or personalities. 

Everyone needs a Superhero, thus we were introduced to them, one by one.  We learned about the role of superheroes, sidekicks, the anti-hero, and the villian.  Superheroes were killed off or disabled but renewed with new super powers; sidekicks were graduated and new ones hired.  Women & minorities became superheroes, too.

We also learned about the relationship between superheroes and mythology, the Bible, Shakespeare.

There is a drawing center where you can make your own comic book cover with your own superhero.

Marvel and DC Comics, along with lesser known publishers, were highlighted. 

We each received a comic book at the front door.  They were: Alpha Flight dated Oct 3, The Omega Men #13 and The Omega Men #10. Awesome.

I have my own comic book collection from my childhood and ones I’ve picked up more recently.  I’ve kept it in plastic top-loader sleeves in a binder.  My collection (some old, some newer) consists of:

• Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny #50
• Bugs Bunny #154
• Incredible Hulk #1
• Yogi Bear #19
• Tweety and Sylvester #41
• Scooby Do #56
• Popeye The Sailor # 134
• Batman Gotham Adventures #38
• Teen-age Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm #32
• Spider Man Storm and Cage
• Little Archie #89
• The Ren & Stimpy Show #7
• Sad Sack & the Sarge #117
• Sad Sack’s Army Life #55
• Spiderman (from 2001)

OK, so it’s not Super Man or Bat Man & Robin (I think my  brothers had them) but I have what I think is a cool collection.  I loved the silly stories and I loved the ads in the comic books: ads for silly mischief toys, patch or sticker collections, the werewolf horror mask, joy buzzer, see-behind glasses, 8-track tapes from Columbia House and the 132 Roman Soldier for only $1.98. Yes, my brothers and I did order from these ads. 

I highly recommend this exhibit.  It’s good for the nostalgia.  It’s good education for the kids.  The exhibit will be in town through March 3.  Plan to attend.  For more info: Museum of Mobile website.

I’m currently reading “Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture” by William Irwin.  Its a compilation of essays about the philosophy of Supers answering some questions like: Why doesn’t Batman kill the Joker? Is Superman an American Icon? Who are we? (the identy question) and What would Captain America do?  Yes it is a deeper read than Tweety and Sylvester but it is very interesting.  Check it out.