Batman, Wonder Woman and Iron Man will soon make an appearance in Sidney.
The life-size cut outs of the superheroes will be at the Sidney Museum in preparation for the newest exhibit, “Up, Up and Away – Comic-book Superheroes and Our Culture.” The exhibit will feature superhero comic books, action figures and other memorabilia from the 1930s to the ’70s.
After the success of the Lego exhibit earlier this year, exhibit coordinator Terri O’Keeffe says she was looking for something with a similar feel. The focus is specifically on comic book superheroes as it’s something that appeals to both kids and comic-book enthusiasts, along with adults who grew up in the age when comic books were a popular form of entertainment, long before video games arrived, says O’Keeffe.
An educational component of the exhibit will also highlight how comic books reflected culture over the years. For instance, during the late 1940s and ’50s, common villians in comic-books were communists or spies. The magazines also provide insight into the societal attitudes towards women over the decades.
This exhibit is part of the Sidney Comic-book Festival and the grand opening is Saturday, May 6 from noon until 2 p.m at the museum. There will be superhero trivia, a scavenger hunt, free comic-books to the first 50 people and other prizes. People are encouraged to dress in superhero costumes or they can make one onsite.
As always, admission is by donation. The exhibit will continue to run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until June 27.