Though the name Larry Ivie has been largely forgotten, it was ubiquitous within the world of comics fandom in the 1950s and 60s. Born in 1936, two years before the first appearance of Superman, Ivie came of age alongside the comic book form itself and dedicated his life to preserving its history. As a collector, historian, writer, artist, and—above all, fan—Ivie built deep relationships with creators and readers alike.

For over fifty years, Edward Koren’s distinctive hirsute and anthropomorphic creatures made him one of The New Yorker’s most instantly recognized and beloved cartoonists. From cultural trends to social dynamics to his deeply held concerns about the environment, Koren playfully documented a seemingly endless parade of human folly.

Ernie Bushmiller’s Nancy was a popular comic strip for decades but was never taken seriously. In recent years, cartoon historians and aficionados have lauded Nancy for its Zen-like qualities and have studied Bushmiller’s craft in detail. For over fifty years, Ernie Bushmiller dedicated himself to the single-minded pursuit of a Perfect Gag. “I never quite seem to find it,” he admitted. But he sure came close—many thousands of times.

The Nancy Show – Bushmiller and Beyond at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum is divided into two parts. The Robinson Gallery will feature original strips, Sunday pages by Bushmiller, and printed newspaper pages, photos, and other artifacts from his career. The Friends of the Library Gallery will highlight a wide variety of artists inspired by Nancy, as well as the creators who took over the strip after Bushmiller’s passing in 1982.

This exhibition, curated by Brian Walker, provides an in-depth look at the creative genius of Ernie Bushmiller and his impact on popular culture and the art of cartooning.

Exhibition Catalog Available for Preorder

The Nancy Show exhibition catalog by Peter Maresca and Brian Walker is available to preorder from Fantagraphics. Click for more information.

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum houses the world’s largest collection of materials related to cartoons and comics, including original art, books, magazines, journals, comic books, archival materials, toys and merchandise, newspaper comic strip pages, and clippings. This permanent exhibit features a selection of exceptional artwork and artifacts highlighting the breadth and depth of our collections.

How are comics made? How are they printed? What tools do cartoonists use, and how have they changed over time? How do writers, inkers, colorists, letterers, and editors all work together?  

Cartoonists transform lines into words and pictures that tell meaningful and entertaining stories, whether they take the form of hard-hitting political cartoons, humorous comic strips, poignant animated films, or action-packed superhero comic books. The process of making comics and cartoon art of all kinds has evolved over time as technology has advanced. This exhibit provides a journey through the different techniques and methods used by cartoonists from the idea’s inception to the final published product that you, the reader, consume.  

The works in this exhibit are drawn from the permanent collections of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, thanks to many generous donors. 

Curated by Jenny Robb, Caitlin McGurk, and Anne Drozd