Originally curated by Paul Gravett with a team of more than twenty international advisors at the Barbican Centre in London, this unique exhibition is making its second North American stop at MOPOP.

Mapping Asian Comics: Graphic Geography

Discover thriving comics cultures and traditional graphic narrative artforms from countries including Indonesia, Philippines, China, Korea, and Japan, revealing a fascinating and varied interplay of approaches, themes, and aesthetics.

Fables and Folklore: Traditional Myths and Legends

Uncover the vital role comics play in keeping traditional stories and religious beliefs alive while reinterpreting them for new generations.  

Recreating and Revisiting the Past: Historical Memory

The Asian continent’s 20th Century history was incredibly tumultuous. Comics have been an important means of documenting propaganda, criticism, and commentary, as well as bringing survivor and eyewitness stories to light.

Stories and Storytellers: Artist Biographies

Explore the lives, creative processes, and biographical works of visionary creators, from masters of iconic franchises to solo auteurs.

Censorship and Sensibility: Freedom and Expression

Adult topics such as politics, violence, and sexuality can yield extraordinary works of art. Often banned or destroyed in their countries of origin, they are celebrated here as vital artifacts of creative and political freedom. (This section contains adult material intended for mature audiences only. This section is partitioned from the rest of the gallery for discretion. Visitors under the age of 18, and those wishing to skip this section, may enjoy other display materials outside of the area.)

Multimedia: Beyond the Printed Page

Trace the influence of comics and graphic narratives across other popular mediums including television, cinema, fine art, fashion, music, and videogames, and celebrate the creative communities of fans, conventions, and cosplay.