Have you ever wanted to sit on a couch with The Thing or take a selfie with Spiderman?
Starting Friday, you can do those things at OMSI’s “Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes” exhibit, which is open Oct. 8 through April 9.
Even people without strong ties to the Marvel comic will find something to love in the traveling exhibit, according to OMSI educator Jennifer Powers.
“It is impossible to identify what is the coolest thing,” Powers said of the exhibit, which leads visitors through nearly 300 artifacts on two floors of rooms, roughly following the history of Marvel, beginning with the debut of “Marvel Comics” in 1939.
That first book featured super beings Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner in a battle of fire versus water.
Fans can explore the comic book beginnings of the characters they love and see original art and props from the movies and the actual costumes worn by stars who played the Black Panther, Captain America and Wanda Maximoff.
This exhibit has been touring the United States since 2018, but it has seen some updates since then, notably the “Wanda Vision” section, which features a wall that changes time periods, in keeping with the theme of the show.
“We are really excited to host it for our community and our area,” Powers said. “We know that folks really resonate with these characters. And not only with the characters, but what Marvel means.”
“Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes” has several truly immersive moments, including a room made out of mirrors that puts visitors inside the world of Dr. Strange and an imposing life-size Hulk.
And it isn’t just Avengers. Fans can look for their favorite and lesser-known members of the Marvel universe, like Echo and The Watcher.
Sometimes it seems like every movie or TV show coming out these days is part of the Disney-owned Marvel franchise, and this exhibit, curated by groups including Marvel, Disney and the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, does a good job contextualizing that world with historical comics and clear informational panels.
You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to find the history of a cultural juggernaut intriguing. This exhibit, like most that come through OMSI’s halls, is sleek and accessible, a great entry point into the comic books and films that have captured the global imagination.
Just what it is about Marvel that has been so successful isn’t easy to pinpoint, but Powers has an idea.
“Marvel does such an amazing job of highlighting how differences make us who we are,” she said.
“We hope that folks are able to come in and not only learn about the history of Marvel comics,” Powers added, “but also tap into their own internal superpowers and ways that they can impact their community.”
