The New York Public Library is delighted to celebrate the legacy of Will Eisner (1917–2005) on the centennial anniversary of his birthday this March. Eisner is universally known as a master of visual narrative and commonly recognized as the father of graphic novels. Often remembered for his masked-detective superhero, “the Spirit,” he is considered one of the most innovative and influential comic book artists of the 20th century. He is also widely credited for popularizing the term “graphic novel” with his groundbreaking 1978 publication A Contract with God.
The Library holds an array of notable examples from Eisner’s life and career, in addition to an extensive collection of graphic novels and comics spanning the medium’s history. Students, artists, and comic book aficionados visit the Library to learn more about Eisner’s legacy and study the art of graphic storytelling—an art that continues to grow in popularity and reach new audiences.
