Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed get down to DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes from 23 February 2018 at London’s O2 before it speeds out of the UK.
After following a successful run in Paris, France at the Art Ludique museum in this out of this world exhibition comes to London for seven months. This exhibition is presented by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros Consumer Products in collaboration with Art Ludique-Le Musee (curator Jean-Jacques Launier).
The exhibition celebrates the rich history, unique mythology and iconic Super Heroes and Super Villains such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Joker plus many other characters.
DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes
Love Pop Ups London was given a first look of DC Exhibition: Dawn of Superheroes which is going on display in London for the first time, ahead of its public opening.
Fans whom visit the DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes will be able to walk through the exhibition, which runs in chronological order and discovering facts about various characters and comics throughout the whole exhibition plus you’ll be able to learn more about the zones, characters, props etc. through an audio guide.
Each room offers guests a behind the scenes look at the creation of the mythical DC Universe. Featuring artwork of Super Heroes and Super Villains such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Joker, The Penguin and Mr Freeze, the Exhibition will bring fans closer to the world’s most iconic characters. Featuring more than 200 original comic pages, around 300 preparatory sketches and concept artworks for the cinema, together with 45 original costumes, models and pops used in iconic movies.
The History of DC
Upon entry die-hard comic fans will see a timeline of comic covers showing an array of super heroes. With the first ever super hero to fly into comics and into our world Superman.
Adventuring around the corner my question is
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s Superman.”
Superman
Starting with the ultimate superhero of all time visitors will be able to gaze upon several different original costumes of Superman, comic pages and concept artwork.
Superman is a fictional superhero whom appeared in American comic books published by DC Comics in 1938. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which were high school students at the time living in Cleveland, Ohio. Jerry and Joe though created this character Superman in 1933 but sold Superman to Detective Comics, the future DC Comics, in 1938.
Superman is an alien from another planet whom was bought up by his adoptive parents on a farm whom found him crashed in a field. Superman though is seen and known as Clark Kent and works for The Daily Planet but unbeknown to everyone apart from his adoptive parents when there is crime to be sorted he turns into Superman to save the world. His appearance is very distinctive with his iconic blue costume which has a red-and-yellow emblem his chest, consisting of the letter S in a shield shape, and wears a red cape. His powers include flying, strength, x-ray vision, solar/heat vision, solar invulnerability, speed, intelligence, superhuman breath and superhuman sense. Superman know’s where there is danger to be had with his super sonic hearing and within a flash he will fly off to save the day.
From comics Superman flew onto radio serials, newspaper strips, television programs, films, and even video games. Within motion pictures several actors have played Superman from TV series to movies from great actors such as Bud Collyer, Christopher Reeve and Dean Cain the list just goes on with new actors playing this ultimate superhero all the time.
Five facts
- Jerry Siegle originally wrote Superman as a bald villain for his 1933 short story but a year later he re-wrote the character as a hero.
- Superman couldn’t fly in the original comic stories instead he was a very good jumper.
- Kryptonite was removed from comic books back in the 1940s as the US Government requested it to be removed from all Superman stories. They thought readers would take all future threats of radioactive dangers lightly.
- Did you know there is pink Kryptonite. This can turn Superman and other Kryptonians homosexual.
- He was once brainwashed into doing porn. It was in a 1987 edition of the comic (#592-593), as Sleez uses mind control to force Big Barda and Superman to make an adult film.
“There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape”
The original costumes from blockbuster DC films are all are visually stunning. I loved the display showing how Superman looks during the day as Clark Kent and then how he looks when he transforms into Superman.
Clark Kent and Superman’s costumes worn by Christopher Reeve in the Superman movies.
This is a model of the farm house he grew up in.
The only thing that can defeat Superman and make him week and loose his powers is Kryptonite, green and shiny but ever so powerful.
These costumes are more advanced ones worn in the more modern Superman movies.
To read more about Superman click here.
With the rapid success of Superman this quickly inspired other publishers and a young artist by the name of Bob Kane, who along with Bill Finger, then created the character of the Batman an extraordinary new hero whose first adventures were featured in a DC (Detective Comics) book the following year.
So moving on it was time to get into the Bat Cave (zone).
Batman
After visiting the ultimate flying Superhero of all time it was onto the dark mysterious Batman.
Batman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Originally named the “Bat-Man”.
Batman’s secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American bachelor, philanthropist and owner of Wayne Enterprises. His mission is to protect Gotham in where he lives from justice. Bruce Wayne though unlike Superman and other superheroes he has not got superhuman powers as Batman is a normal human so he trains himself physically and intellectually and crafts a bat-inspired persona to fight crime. Only his butler Alfred knows of his real identity and partner in fighting justice Robin. Batman being a moral man fights criminals of his intellect and fights crime with gadgets, physical prowess, martial arts abilities, detective skills, science and technology, vast wealth, intimidation, and indomitable will. Batman’s costume is a dark black suit showing off his muscles and wears a bat type mask/hat. Batman finds out when there is crime to be dealt with via listening to the radio communication via the police. He will get to the crime by his super fast Bat mobile, and if the city needs him more urgently then the sky is lit up with the famous Bat-Signal projecting in the sky above Gotham.
In the late 1960s a string of television series was made of Batman and in the 1980’s Batman was made into movies by Warner Bros. Actors such as Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, Christian Bale and currently being portrayed by Ben Affleck have all played the iconic Batman.
Five facts
- Bruce Wayne’s hometown was originally planned as New York; however, writer Bill Finger stepped into a New York phone booth and saw the words “Gotham Jewellers” and so Gotham City was born.
- Batman did not originally wear a black suit. Bob Kane in the comic books adorned Batman in a red onesie, a domino mask and bat-like wings with a bright blonde hairdo.
- Batman has an IQ of 192, which is more intelligent than Albert Einstein who reportedly had an IQ between 160 and 180.
- Early on in the comic books Superman gives Batman a kryptonite ring. He gives the caped crusader this ring in case he went rogue and needed someone to stop him.
- Robin, Alfred Pennyworth, the Penguin’s henchman Harold, Superman, Batgirl, Azrael, Hugo Strange, Ra’s Al Ghul and Bane know that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”
There was so many costumes within this section with props from recent films such as 1989 to 1999’s Batman franchise directed by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, the acclaimed The Dark Knight trilogy directed by Christoper Nolan as well as The Man of Steel, Batman V Superman and the recent Justice League by Zack Snyder.
The Batman and his bat mobile.
Some other characters from Batman movies from Batgirl, Mr Freeze, Two Face, Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin and The Joker.
Plus some masks.
To read more about Batman click here.
“Holy Smoke” it is now time to see costumes and learn more about the most iconic super woman of them all to dawn the comic world and our screens.
Wonderwoman
Wonder Woman was written by William Moulton Marston and appeared in comics from 1944. In the 70’s she came onto our television screens and in 2017 she became an American superhero appearing in movies.
Wonder Woman is a character who became a trailblazer and symbol for peace, justice and quality.
Her alter echo is a nurse in the army. Her name being Diana Prince. She is a warrior goddess, and the daughter of Queen Hippolyta and Zeus. She was given to the Amazons to raise.
Wonder Woman took part in a variety of adventures, mostly side by side with Trevor. She possesses advanced technology, including the Lasso of Truth, a pair of indestructible bracelets, a tiara which serves as a projectile, and, in older stories, a range of devices based on Amazon technology. From 1944 to modern day her costume has changed quite dramatically compared to Superman’s and Batman’s which have all stayed quite similar in looks.
Five facts
- From the comic books back in 1940’s Wonder Woman was made out of clay. The Amazonian princess was created by Queen Hippolyte’s hands and a lump of clay.
- In 2011 Wonder Woman was no longer created by clay by her mother but she was conceived naturally between her mother Hippolyte and from one of the almighty gods Zeus.
- Wonder Woman was born during the World War II so she tackled many Germans and their allies!
- DC Comics stripped Wonder Woman of her god-like powers between 1968 and 1973. After losing her powers she also gives up her iconic costume for an all-white ensemble and learns Kung Fu.
- Diana Prince who went to South America and married her fiancé to become Diana White.
“What one does when faced with the truth is more difficult thank you’d think”
Old to new.
The newer costume from 2017 was designed by Lindy Hemming. Personally I like both but I think the modern one is more bad ass.
Lindy Hemming was also at the press launch.
Photo from Neil Reading PR
To read more about Wonder Woman click here.
Why is this exhibition so focussed on Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman?
Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman became the foundation for the genre on which all subsequent Super Heroes are based.
Original drawings
Within this zone visitors will see original drawings of the famous Super Heroes and Super Villains from 1939 to modern day. This is where you can really geek out.
Cinema flashback
In this last zone visitors can sit back and relax and take in some classic moments from movies from Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
My most classic moments that I personally love is seeing Superman fly in the air, Penguin from Batman sailing in his duck, Arnold as Mr Freeze in Batman and Wonder Woman standing tall and superior in her costume designed by the amazing costume designer Lindy.
Kapow
If you are a geek or not of comics or/and DC Superheroes and Villains you will certainly be won over by this impressive collection of comics, concept art and movie paraphernalia.
This exhibition perfectly honours the visionary artistic contribution’s of all artists and creators who have all bought heroes and villains into our modern day culture and image of contemporary mythology.
I was totally blown away by all the comics, stunning concept art and the costumes & props from the movies.
Merchandise
After the exhibition you can buy some super merchandise from Superman to The Flash merchandise.
Book
To find out more about DC Exhibition and book a slot click here.
You’ll be blown away.
Who is your ultimate hero
Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman ?
More about….
DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment is the home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD is the creative division charged with strategically integrating it’s content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.
DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash it’s stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games.
Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics on the world.
Warner Bros Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) a Warner Bros Entertainment Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of yours, fashion home decor, and publishing inspired franchise and properties such as DC, J.K. Rowlings Wizarding Word, Looney Tunes an Hanna-Barbera. The divisions successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros Word Abu Dhabi (opening 2-18) With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences. WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organisation in the world.
About Art Ludique-Le Musee
Art Ludique-Le Musee was founded by Jean-Jacques Launier and his wife Diane. The first museum in the world dedicated to the art of entertainment opened its doors in Paris on 16 November 2013. With the phenomenal success of the productions of creative industries, Art Ludique has become a bridge between contemporary art and the general pubic, a place where family members of all ages can enjoy figurative and narrative artworks and discover the astounding artistic dimension as the the source of these artworks that make us all dream.
Love Pop Ups London attended a press launch of DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes courtesy of Neil Reading PR. All views are my own honest opinion.
“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
Oh wow… This is really interesting and fun! Would love to go! It must be quite an experience seeing the original costumes! Btw the fact about pink kryptonite turning Superman into a homosexual really made me laugh… tsk tsk! This exhibition is definitely on my wishlist!
X Louise
The pink kryptonite made me laugh as well.