The Art of Will Eisner
Legendary comic artist Will Eisner’s impact on comics and art in general is still felt today. Considered the “father” of the graphic novel, Eisner is revered and esteemed, by both artists and fans alike. This is evidenced by the fact that one of comics’ most influential annual awards presentations are named after him. Starting February 13th and running until March 8th, New York’s Philippe Labaune Gallery is presenting an exhibit honoring the work and legacy of Will Eisner.
The exhibition celebrates Will Eisner’s artistic vision and his significant contributions to the medium of comics. It provides an opportunity to experience the creativity and innovation behind many of Eisner’s iconic works. In addition to wartime drawings and pages from Eisner’s beloved series “The Spirit,” it will feature some of his “New York: The Big City,” comic strips. Plus, the show will feature nearly a complete sequential presentation of “A Contract with God: The Super.”
In advance of the show’s opening, we sat down with Owner/Founder Philippe LaBaune to discuss his beginnings, his love of comics and the many artists who created them, as well as his gallery and the opening of this exciting Exhibit. So, let’s welcome Philippe LaBaune to GVN Talking Comics.
Interests in Comic Art
GVN: Thank you very much for sharing some of your time. Let us start with a bit about your background. As you grew up in France, when did you take an interest in narrative/ comic art and did you consider following that path as an artist yourself or were you more interested in the art form itself?
Philippe: Thank you for having me. My interest in narrative and comic art started early, growing up in France in the 1970s. My parents and older siblings were avid readers of comics, so I was naturally exposed to the medium. Comic books were always lying around in the house, and before I could even read, I would try to understand the stories by looking at the images.
A key influence during my childhood was discovering the works of legendary French-Belgian comic artists like Hergé, Franquin, and Edgar P Jacobs. These artists gave me a deep appreciation for the precision and the artistry that goes into creating a story with both images and words. The medium became a form of expression that was incredibly important to me and so accessible.
At the time, comics weren’t just an entertainment tool, but also a way of dealing with emotions. I experienced the loss of my father at an early age, and during that time, comic books became a form of comfort while he was sick. They offered a way to process emotions and to escape.
Despite my love for comics, I never considered becoming an artist myself. I was more drawn to the overall art form, its history, and how it evolved over time. This fascination led me to open the gallery, where I could not only personally explore how comics can reach people in ways that other mediums can’t, but also where I could simply share my love of narrative art with others. And if I’m being honest with you, I don’t have an ounce of talent!
I’ve been lucky enough that through the gallery, I have the privilege of curating and showcasing the art that shaped my love of graphic storytelling and getting to share it with others.
A Foundation in Business and Finance
GVN: You started in the world of business before you became involved in your gallery. Were there advantages of being well versed in the world of business and finance when you contemplated starting your gallery?
Philippe: Absolutely. My background in business and finance has definitely provided me with a significant advantage when I decided to open the gallery. Running a gallery requires more than just a passion for art – I quickly realized there are so many practical and logistical elements to manage, whether it’s budgeting, contracts, establishing relationships with artists and collectors, or even just making sure the gallery has a sustainable cash flow. Having a strong understanding of business principles gave me the tools to approach these challenges with confidence.
My experience in finance has been especially crucial. I was able to ensure that I managed the gallery’s finances in a way that supported both artistic and business goals. Due to my previous knowledge, I could focus on curating exhibitions that aligned with our mission, while also ensuring we could operate in a way that was financially sustainable in the long run.
Furthermore, my business background has helped me navigate relationships with artists and collectors more effectively. It has also given me the ability to create an environment where artists feel supported, while also ensuring the gallery is growing and evolving. Having that solid foundation in business not only helped me get the gallery off the ground, but it has been a key factor in ensuring it continues to thrive. It allows us to focus on our core mission of presenting meaningful art while maintaining a balance between artistic integrity and financial health.
Opening the Philippe LaBaune Gallery
GVN: You established your gallery in 2021. What led you to following that ambition and whose advice or mentorship was beneficial in launching it?
Philippe: When I decided to establish my gallery in 2021, it was driven by my own experience as a collector. I had been passionate about collecting illustration and comic art for years. Through that process, I realized there was a noticeable gap in the market—very few galleries in the U.S. were focusing on showcasing this type of work. In Paris and Brussels there are many galleries focusing on the medium. That’s when the idea of opening a gallery of my own began to take shape.
I didn’t rely on advice or mentorship from others; this was something I pursued on my own. My background as a collector gave me a unique perspective. I knew what collectors were looking for, what they valued, and how important it was to present these pieces in a way that was both professional and engaging, and at the heart of it, it’s about giving these works the space and attention they deserve.
Bringing in the Artists
GVN: You have featured the works of esteemed creators such as Lorenzo Mattotti, Nicolas de Crécy, François Avril, Guido Crepax, and more, as well as two of my favorites, Frank Miller and Mike Mignola. Having no knowledge of how you work, do you approach the artists (or their representatives) about the possibility of displaying their work or do they reach out to you?
Philippe: At the beginning, it was primarily us reaching out to the artists. As a collector, I was fortunate to be connected with many incredible creators right from the start, and many of them were eager to have their work displayed in a New York gallery. There was a real desire for exposure, and we made a concerted effort to build relationships with these artists. We approached them with the vision of creating a space that celebrated their work, and fortunately, that resonated with them.
Over time, we were lucky that many of our artists knew each other and were friends. That sense of community within the artistic world has been a huge asset. We were connected with Mike Mignola through our good friend Peter de Sève. We had the privilege of doing a show with Peter in the fall of 2023, and after he had a positive experience working with us, he put in a good word to Mike. Mike had been toying with the idea of having a gallery show, and Peter’s recommendation helped solidify that decision.
As the gallery grew and we gained more recognition, we started to see a shift. We were no longer just reaching out to artists—we started receiving inquiries from them. It’s been wonderful to have artists approach us with interest in displaying their work, and it’s exciting to have a calendar that’s consistently full. In fact, we are booking our 2026 program now. This shift has been a natural evolution of the relationships we’ve built over time, and it’s been an amazing journey to see how the gallery’s reputation has grown, allowing us to work with even more talented artists.
The Will Eisner Exhibit
GVN: Your upcoming show features the iconic work and legacy of legendary cartoonist Will Eisner. How did this opportunity come to fruition and how closely did you work with Denis Kitchen and the Eisner Estate in planning this show?
Philippe: This exhibition came together thanks to a wonderful collaboration with Denis Kitchen, who has been Will Eisner’s representative for the past 30 years. Denis is a well-respected figure in the comic art world, and I was fortunate enough to connect with him through a mutual friend. From there, it was a back-and-forth process – working closely with him and the Eisner estate to ensure we could secure the pieces that best represent Eisner’s groundbreaking work and his legacy. We are very grateful for Denis’s help, as his expertise was crucial in making this show a reality. It’s been an exciting process, and I’m thrilled to see this show become a reality.
GVN: Finally, what would you hope to convey to visitors to your gallery through this exhibit? What can they learn about Will Eisner, especially those younger who do not know the impact that Eisner had in the comic world and art as a whole?
Philippe: What I hope people take away from this exhibition, especially younger generations who might be unfamiliar with the significance of Will Eisner’s work, is just how much he changed the way we think about comics—not just as entertainment, but as a serious artistic and literary form. Eisner was instrumental in demonstrating that comics could tell deeply personal, emotionally complex stories, that they could wrestle with serious themes and resonate on a level far beyond traditional genre expectations.
This show is about honoring that legacy. We want to give people a chance to see firsthand why Eisner was so important—not just to comics, but to storytelling as a whole. His influence is everywhere, from the way graphic novels are respected today to the way visual narratives are constructed across different media.
By putting these works in a gallery setting, we’re emphasizing that Eisner wasn’t just a great comic artist—he was a master of his craft, someone who pushed the boundaries of what the medium could achieve. Whether someone walks in already familiar with his work or is encountering it for the first time, my hope is that they leave with a deeper appreciation for what he accomplished and how profoundly he shaped the art form.
Location and Exhibit Schedule
GVN: Thank you once again for spending a few minutes with us, Philippe. Before I let you go, please tell our readers where your gallery is and when this exciting exhibition opens.
Philippe: The gallery’s address is: 534 West 24th Street, located between 10th and 11th Avenues. The Will Eisner show begins on February 13th, 2025, and runs through March 8th. It is free to the public, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.
If you are in the New York area and are a fan of Will Eisner’s work or want to learn more, you should definitely check out this Exhibit.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
