Covers by Glaser, Chwast, Niemann, Spiegelman and more
MICA has announced the exhibition Chip Kidd presents Batman Black & White, which features the original art for 165 unpublished covers – on view now until October 2 on the College’s campus.
In 2013, DC Comics released a six issue revival of the Batman: Black and White series. Each published issue of Batman: Black & White features several short stories written and drawn by top comic writers and artists, and as the title indicates, they were reproduced in black and white, unlike all the previous superhero comics. The first issue, released September 4, 2013, featured Chip Kidd’s short story titled “Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When” (co-written by Michael Cho. This was also issued with a variant blank cover, which allowed fans to seek out original sketches by their favorite artists.
“The MICA Illustration program is so fortunate to be hosting the ‘Batman Black & White’ show and moreover, we’re thrilled to have Chip Kidd himself, coming to MICA to give an in-person presentation to the campus on this exceptional exhibit,” Allan Comport, Illustration Department chair, said. “The exhibition has something for everyone, whether a Batman fan, a comics fan, or a fan of great illustration. Many of the artists featured in this exhibition are among the most prestigious names in art and design and comics.”
Since the release of that issue, Chip Kidd has amassed a diverse collection of covers, featuring artists like Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast, William Joyce, Dave McKean, Art Spiegelman, Anita Kunz, Christoph Niemann, Tim Sale, Neal Adams, Chris Ware and many more.
“Chip Kidd has a unique position in the comics industry as an outstanding graphic designer, historian and editor. His passion for Batman in particular has led him to edit books on Batman collectibles, the Batman animated series, the Batman Manga series, and even writing a graphic novel (Batman: Death by Design),” said Jose Villarrubia, Illustration faculty member and coordinator of the Sequential Art Minor. “There is no one else in the industry with the wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and taste needed to put together an exhibition as extraordinary as this one.”
