Comic-Con Museum Marks Pop Culture Gathering with New Stan Lee Exhibit

San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum kicked off the annual pop culture gathering Thursday with new exhibits highlighting anime and comic book icon Stan Lee, plus an announcement of even more displays later this year.

“Our content is constantly changing and evolving,” said Museum Executive Director Rita Vandergaw.

The museum, located in Balboa Park, has showcased 15 exhibits in litle less than two years and this week added new ones for fans attending Comic-Con.

“Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee” features comic books, original art, and paintings exploring the visionary work of Lee. It also features items held by private collectors and auction houses that have never been displayed.

Michael Uslan, originator and executive producer of the Batman movie franchise who created the exhibit, said it celebrates not just Lee, but the many co-creators that built the legendary Marvel comics stable of heroes.

Meanwhile, the museum also opened “Cowboy Bebop 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition” celerating the 25th anniversary of the iconic anime show. Another display highlights “My Hero Academia,” including a statue recreating a significant moment in the series.

“We are honored to be part of the museum,” said Terry Li, a senior vice president of Crunchyroll, a streaming service that partnered with the museum.

More exhibits are on the way later this year, starting Oct. 3. They include:

• “Colleen Duran Illustrates Neil Gaiman,” featuring Duran’s work on famed author Neil Gaiman’s stories.

• “POPnology” will describe the convergence of technology and popular culture. It will feature the world’s first 3D printed car and items representing robotics and communications.

“We really dive into how they are able to forecast this,” said Troy Carlson, CEO of Stage Nine Exhibits, which is organizing the event.

• “From Big Dots to the Digital Universe” will trace the rapid evolution of coloring in comics, from hand-drawn work to the use of software programs.

Colorist Steve Oliff recalled he used Q-tips to color comics but nowadays, the tools have become more sophisticated.

“I found it was easier back in the day to work by hand,” said Oliff.