Founded in 1984, the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco has something for everyone – from comic strips, comic books and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground comix. This unique institution houses approximately 7000 original pieces in their permanent collection and attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually. Earlier this year, Luke Williams was one of them…
Being middle aged, with no dependents as such (a couple of boomerang kids) and let’s face it, being very lucky, I can go on ostentatious holidays to faraway places. On the bucket list was San Francisco, which is just where I went in April as a 50th birthday gift from my ever so thoughtful and considerate wife.
San Francisco is a beautiful place, a very relaxed city, chilly in April, but bright and sunny. I can’t say that I had forgotten about the earthquake threat, but there are plenty of sights to see and things to do that will take your mind off major tectonic disaster. Other than the obvious touristy places, (Golden Gate Bridge, Sea Lions on Pier 39, Haight Street – where I picked up a copy of Robert Crumb’s Hup #1, because that’s what you should do in SF) there is also the Cartoon Art Museum, nestled neighbouring the Ghiradelli Chocolate Company and shopping complex near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Mrs W and I had just eaten for the evening, and were walking toward the cable car stop near the swim club at Hyde & Beach Street. Purely by chance, as I’m not known for planning sightseeing in advance for these trips, and it not being listed in my guidebook, we walked past the Cartoon Art Museum. After 6 o’clock, its doors were shut but, lights off but with my nose pressed against the glass, I could see inside that it was at least worth a quick visit the following day. Mrs. W, accommodating as ever, gave a little sigh, smiled, and said she would indulge me.
The following day we arrived just before opening, and patiently waited outside, we were the second people in. Entry was priced at a reasonable $10, but as they were in the process of setting up the new exhibitions they were generous enough to ask us to pay what we felt we should pay, we paid the full $20.
Divided into five exhibit areas, plus a library, the Museum is quite small. The museum shop has an interesting range of books, ranging from superhero works to alternative comics and reference books on the medium, and books I’d not come across before (Dan Abnett and Bo Hampton’s Uther The Half Dead King, published back in 1998), and half price copies of The Love & Rockets Companion (bought), the Love And Rockets: The Covers collection, and, more importantly, a range of books and collections that appeal to children and adults.
Leaving reception and the shop we are greeted with Thor and Loki: Midgard Family Mayhem, an exhibition of Jeffery Brown, best known for Darth Vader and Son and his work on the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series. For those of you visiting San Francisco this summer, this runs until August.
The exhibition, presented in partnership with Chronicle Books and Marvel, includes framed original art from Brown’s Thor and Loki work for Marvel – 30 original illustrations from Brown, with a special behind the scenes look at the artist’s creative process, including his idea sketchbook and preliminary sketches.
(The peculiar angles of my photograph is due to the fact that exhibition was in mid set up. It didn’t occur to me to actually get down on my knees to take photographs; I was clearly having a bad day).
This exhibition also includes an impressive selection of original Marvel Comics artwork from the Cartoon Art Museum’s permanent collection. Lacking the sense I was born with, coupled with a distinct lack of forward thinking and not being much of a superhero guy, I neglected to take photos. But, moving along the row of exhibits there were original art pages featuring The Guardians of the Galaxy – not the new, uber successful Dan Abnett / Andy Lanning version, but the original 30th Century incarnation, which I first came across in the back of Marvel UK’s Star Wars Weekly.
Probably the most impressive part of the Museum, for me, for me was the library. Not a vast number of comics, but certainly an extensive selection of genres and books on the history and analysis of the medium. The hardback The Spirit collections caught my eye, something I’ve been havering over for years, plus there were early editions and out of print collections of various books and strips and shelves adorned with comic related memorabilia. The “Pogo” figures, merchandise inspired by Walt Kelly’s famous comic strip, on the top shelf made me smile.
The Museum regularly takes the opportunity to raise the profile of creators from different corners of the medium and the world. “An Edward Gorey Menagerie” (running until 9th July) features original artwork by the author and artist Edward Gorey. An extensive exhibition of work by Ukrainian comic artists, entitled “Fight with Art: Contemporary Comics From Ukraine”, running until 25th June, included the work of Kateryna Kosheleva, Inga Levi, Tania Pryimych, Yulia Vus, Masha Vyshedska and Dartsya Zironka.
Understandably, the theme was war. It’s powerful work, and not an easy read considering the ongoing conflict, but it demonstrates the desire of the Museum to promote all genres from all countries.
“A Treasury of Animation”, the room dedicated to the development of animation is a fascinating presentation on the background and development of cartoon production. It includes historically important animation cells, designs and layouts from early films, including from Fleischer studios’ adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels, early Mickey Mouse, Fantasia, the work of Walter Lantz (creator of Woody Woodpecker) and later significant works such as Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord Of The Rings and comes right up to date with art for Matt Groening’s The Simpsons.
Finally, for the complete superhero fan, the last room includes replica costumes from each of the Batman movies going back to the 1960s, and a replica of the most recent Wonder Woman costume. Superheroes are the genre that comics are most strongly associated with, and this type of exhibition is likely to appeal to the non comic reading superhero fans, and hopefully lead them to perhaps try out the other delights this wonderful medium can offer.
If, like me, you are lucky enough to visit the beautiful city of San Francisco, the small, but perfectly formed Cartoon Art Museum is definitely worth a visit.
Luke Williams
• The Cartoon Art Museum can be found at 781 Beach Street, San Francisco, California, CA 94109 | Web: cartoonart.org – includes details of all current exhibitions
• The Cartoon Museum is currently running its third biennial Tribute Auction, The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens, featuring original art in homage to the late Dave Stevens and his beloved comic book character The Rocketeer. A benefit auction is taking place via eBay here (a portion of the proceeds will benefit to the Hairy Cell Leukaemia Foundation, items added weekly) – then a summer exhibition. Preview pieces here | Find out more here
• Stone Brewing Europe has partnered with Ukrainian brewing company The Mova to produce an IPA beer – Mova / Stone Side By Side IPA. The collaboration brew is available on draft at Stone Brewing locations in the United States and at locations throughout the world.
The Mova / Stone Side By Side IPA label art is designed by artist Dartsya Zironka, whose work features in the CAF exhibition and whose teammates are now active members of the Ukranian army. Zironka’s artwork inspired the name. “A close look shows soldiers side-by-side with one having a slightly ghosted appearance – representative of the support offered in spirit from across the world,” say the Stone Brewing team.
Stone Brewing beers are distributed in the UK by James Clay and Sons, who tell us that while, currently, the bottled beer isn’t available in the UK, they are supplying keg beer to clients. The Stone Brewing web site offers an international beer finder map, so you may want to ask your local pub, if they already stock the Stone Brewing range, if they will also stock Mova / Stone Side By Side IPA.
Ukranian Comic Artists: Links
• Kateryna Kosheleva: Behance | Dribble | Tumblr
• Inga Levi: Saatchi Gallery |
• Tania Pryimych: Behance | Facebook
• Yulia Vus: Behance | Instagram | Facebook
• Masha Vyshedska: Tik Tok | Patreon
• Dartsya Zironka: Instagram
Robert Crumb
• Looking for more Robert Crumb? Live in San Francisco? Silver Sprocket is a San Francisco based publisher, gallery, and retail shop championing socially conscious and independently produced comic books, graphic novels, and related arts. They’re online at silversprocket.net
Brought up on a diet of Commando, British Boys Annuals and Asterix, Lucas Williams’s day job limits his reading time. Luckily for everyone else this also restricts his writing time.
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