
If you're a fan of Marvel, there's a museum in Philadelphia where you can indulge in superhero stories, rare comic book art, movie props, trivia, and more. According to PhillyVoice, the 'Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes' exhibit is open at The Franklin Institute until September 2.
The exhibit's opening coincides with Marvel's 80th anniversary this year. It begins with early Marvel items from the 1930s, when the company was known as Timely Comics. Over the decades, Marvel's universe expanded to include over 8,000 characters.
The exhibit showcases over 300 original artifacts, including movie-quality costumes worn by actors such as Chadwick Boseman and Danai Gurira from Black Panther, Chris Hemsworth from Thor, Tom Holland from Spider-Man, and Chris Evans from Captain America. It also features original artwork, including two The Avengers comic book covers and the original sketches of Spider-Man’s origin story.
Exhibit curator Ben Saunders shared with the PhillyVoice, "This globally recognized fantasy franchise, which occupies everyone's minds, starts with a single person at a drawing board, pencil in hand—that's where world-changing stories begin. That’s the message I wanted to emphasize repeatedly throughout this exhibit."
The exhibit also features interactive experiences. Guests can walk through a psychedelic, Doctor Strange-inspired mirror room or capture a selfie with The Thing from Fantastic Four. Additionally, the show honors the legacy of comic book legend Stan Lee, who passed away last year. For the ultimate fan experience, there's an online course called 'The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impact on Pop Culture,' which Lee helped create before his passing.
Take a look at some photos from the exhibit below, and visit The Franklin Institute’s website for additional details and ticket information.
Christine Mitchell/Museum of Pop Culture
Sandro Vanini/Museum of Pop Culture
Sandro Vanini/Museum of Pop Culture
Jonathan Pulley/Museum of Pop Culture