Howard to discuss 'Genius of Will Eisner'

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries will celebrate Will Eisner Week, March 1-7, with two presentations and an exhibition.

Dan Howard, professor emeritus in the School of Art, Art History and Design, will present “The Genius of Will Eisner” at 4 p.m. March 2 in the Peterson Room, Love Library South 221. Howard will discuss Eisner’s influence on the comic book and graphic novel genres. When serving as chair of the art department, Howard was one of the first academics to recognize the value and impact of comic books when he sponsored the Mid-American College Art Association of 1976, which included several mainstream comics creators.

Archives and Special Collections will also host an exhibition featuring donations by Howard. “Reading Comics: Select Books from the Dan Howard Collection” showcases a sample of the limited-edition and inscribed comics-related books and memorabilia available in Archives and Special Collections. Items on display in Love Library South’s lower level range from “Cartoons for Victory” to “The Way of the Cross: An Interpretation.” Although the subject matter varies, the books all convey the narrative power of images. The exhibition will be on display through the spring semester.

Dan Claes, professor and chair of physics and astronomy, will present the SciPop talk “Comic Book Physics 101: Time Travel” at 7 p.m. March 4. Claes is expected to reference such fictional works as “Avengers: Endgame,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Convergence” and the second season of CW’s “The Flash.” He will talk about theories of time travel; special relativity and general relativity; and the quantum realm.

The first week of March each year is nationally known as Will Eisner Week, which not only celebrates his life and accomplishments, but other things he stood for — literacy, community and free expression. The presentations and exhibition are free and open to the public.