As the inker on the legendary Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Klaus Janson's Bat-pedigree is guaranteed based on that series alone. But Janson has had a long, prolific career drawing the Caped Crusader and numerous other superheroes, and that work is being celebrated at a new exhibit at New York's Philippe Labaune Gallery.
IGN can exclusively reveal some of the original artwork on display at the new exhibit. Check out the slideshow gallery below to see pieces from The Dark Knight III: The Master Race, Batman: The Last Halloween, and more:
Janson's 50-year career started with a stint on Marvel's Black Panther series in 1974. Janson has worked as a solo artist and as an inker for a number of acclaimed pencillers like Frank Miller, John Romita Jr., John and Sal Buscema, Dick Giordano, Bill Sienkiewicz, Gil Kane, and Gene Colan. The exhibit brings together 100 pieces of original art from across Janson's career.
“Through this survey, Klaus Janson emerges as a singular figure whose adaptability, sensitivity, and understanding have permanently expanded what comics can achieve,” says Philippe Labaune. “His ability to work as a penciler, inker, colorist, writer, and teacher demonstrates the depth and range of his contributions to the medium and underscores why this exhibition is so significant. The exhibition celebrates a life in comics, offering a rare and considered perspective on the medium, and honoring an artist whose work has defined the visual and emotional language of American comics for generations.”
The Klaus Janson exhibit will run from Friday, March 6 through Saturday, April 11 at the Philippe Labaune Gallery, which is located at 534 West 24th Street in New York. There will be an opening reception on March 5 from 6pm to 9pm ET.
Previous artists featured at the Philippe Labaune Gallery have included Frank Cho, Paul Pope, and Will Eisner.
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