Marvel exhibition in Ifema. (Helena Margarit Cortadellas)
With great power comes great responsibility, Uncle Ben said. Make a presentation about Marvel in full 2024, too. But when you have the right space, the necessary materials and most importantly, the superheroes, anything is possible. At least, that’s what it’s proven’Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes’the exhibition that now arrives in Madrid to discover the great secrets and stories behind some of the superheroes most famous in the world.
“Nowadays liking Marvel is the most normal thing in the world, but not so long ago it was something destined to the geekiest and least popular of the institute“, he remembered Juan Sanguino during the press conference to present the exhibition. Because it is true that we must not forget that for a long time superheroes did not have the impact on today’s society. To get here, they have come a very long way. Almost as long as those who come to the pavilion 2 Ifema from this weekend, in an exhibition that will continue until at least mid-January.
Marvel exhibition in Ifema. (Helena Margarit Cortadellas)
But many will wonder what can be found in a sample like this, what there is to say about Marvel that has not been said to date. Well, the truth is that ‘Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes’ has as many layers as there are superheroes that inhabit its multiverse, from a more didactic and contextual part to a much more visual and interactive part, through endless suits, armor and so on props that make it something unique. Rarely in life will you be able to come face to face with the first original Marvel comic, with the sketches of Spider-Man and Captain America or with the suits worn by actors like Chris HemsworthRobert Downey Jr. Cate Blanchett.
Perhaps precisely because of the immense portfolio of stars that Marvel currently manages, it is so surprising and gratifying at the same time to see that the exhibition begins by remembering the heroes who made superheroes. And not only the famous Stan Leebut also by others like Jack Kirby, John Romita, Steve Ditko o John Buscemato mention a few. The exhibition traces the origins of comics in the pulpthe rise of its popularity after the Second World War and its decisive importance in the 60s and 70s to break certain barriers around the representation of drugs or marginal groups.
Marvel exhibition in Ifema. (Helena Margarit Cortadellas)
These attempts to circumvent censorship or directly challenge the authorities are some of the stories hidden behind each superhero, from Captain America to Spider-Manpassing through others less known to the general public such as Silver Surfer, Vision or members of the X-Menstill pending joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the big step taken with Deadpool and Wolverine. The absence of villains – with the exception of Thanos and a few others – is the only mole in an exhibition that does not lose detail or anecdote about each of the characters who have forged their legend. But the thing doesn’t stop there.
Because although the historical and didactic part is important, ‘Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes’ does not forget that the legend is also built with the little ones. And that is why the exhibition includes a series of interactive activities designed for children, but also for those who are not so children. Touch panels, Iron Man suit simulatorsdrawing workshops or even an arcade room with pinballs are some of the incentives to immerse yourself in the Marvel universe far beyond what is strictly recreational.
Marvel exhibition in Ifema. (Helena Margarit Cortadellas)
Organized by Semmel Exhibitions, MoPOP, Sold Out and Marvel Entertainment itself, this exhibition is presented as an ideal trip to take refuge from the cold during the last months of the year and rediscover the original story of the superheroes that everyone now thinks they know. With more than 200 original pieces of all kinds, the exhibition arrives in the capital after its success in the United States and its arrival in Europe through Switzerland, but in Spain it will find a new legion of marvelousness with which to demonstrate that a great brand also brings great exposure.
SGAE inaugurates the exhibition ‘The Series of our life’.
