Super Exhibit at Hill Memorial Library…See it Saturday Before the Game!

James Sturm’s “Unstable Molecules.”

October 17, 2007 — They’re faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. No, it’s not the LSU football team…it’s a collection of the world’s most famous superheroes, past and present, at LSU’s Hill Memorial Library. The “Super Stories: A Brief History of Comics” exhibit will complete its tour of duty this Saturday October 20, at 1 p.m., just before LSU’s own superheroes battle the Auburn Tigers in Death Valley.

“Super Stories” landed on LSU’s campus at the end of June, when Martha Bowlus donated her son William Morton Bowlus’ comic book collection in his honor. The LSU alumnus’ collection consists of more than 7,000 books dating from the late 1950s to 1985. Bowlus’ fascination with comics began in grade school and ended with his death in his late twenties.

“I've been amazed at how popular the exhibit has been,” said Elaine Smyth, Head of LSU Libraries Special Collections. “Visitors' comments range from ‘sheer awesomeness’ to ‘interesting and insightful.’ The exhibition gives comic book fans a great selection from the Golden Age all the way up to current graphic novels, and also traces issues like censorship that comic book publishers have faced. Lots of people have commented on what a great selection the Bowlus Collection offers. It's great that our donor, Mrs. Martha Bowlus, gets to know how much people appreciate her gift.”

Sturm’s graphic novel, “The Golem’s Mighty Swing,” was selected as a “Best Comic of 2001” by Time Magazine.

One of the central themes of the exhibit is the influence of comics beyond the realm of entertainment, rather, as a mirror of culture. The comics featured in the “Super Stories” exhibit explore cultural issues such as race, gender, and violence…topics which exist both on the page and in real life.

Also featured is an industry history overview with companies such as Marvel Comics, EC Comics, and DC Comics, plus alternative titles and Web comics.

The library is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The exhibit will be open for visitors on game day this coming Saturday, October 20.

For more information about this exhibit or Hill Memorial Library, visit www.lib.lsu.edu/special or call 225-578-6544.

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