THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST
IN COMICS
Exhibition Overview
From individual artists and collective studios to major publishers and animation studios, from self-published zines and webcomics to bestselling graphic novels and major motion pictures, the Pacific Northwest has an incredible arts culture and is recognized as one of the most vital comics hubs in the United States. Portland, the home of the Northwest Museum of Cartoon Arts, may have the highest population of professional cartoonists per capita of any major city on Earth, and its status as a cartoon capital has grown steadily since the early 2000s.
NWMOCA’s inaugural exhibition—curated by Kate Kelp-Stebbins, Director of Comics and Cartoon Studies at the University of Oregon—celebrates this proud cartooning tradition, from a look back at the foundational members of the Pacific Northwestern cartooning culture to spotlights on the independent publishers and superstar artists who laid the groundwork for the contemporary comics scene to the up-and-comers whose work is redefining comics for the current generation and beyond.
Celebrating Diversity
Our exhibition demonstrates a commitment to multiculturalism and diversity through both the content of artwork displayed and the creative talents who brought it to life. Rather than designate one particular section of the exhibition space to highlight artists from diverse backgrounds, each aspect of the exhibition integrates artwork from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators, celebrating talent, innovation, and diversity both on and behind the printed page.
The content of our exhibition reflects the diversity of both creators and audiences in the Pacific Northwest. From groundbreaking and historically-significant figures to the innovative artists and writers making graphic novels, webcomics, and zines, everyone who visits our exhibition will see themselves reflected in it.
the exhibition in parts
HEROES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
We pay tribute to longtime residents of the Pacific Northwest who helped make it into the cartooning hub that it is today. Rupert Kinnard, Matt Wagner, Aron Nels Steinke, Lark Pien, Shannon Wheeler, Mike and Laura Allred, Charles Johnson, Michael Avon Oeming, and Ryan Alexander Tanner are among the acclaimed artists based in the Pacific Northwest. Consider this as the Hall of Fame section.
HELIOSCOPE
The largest, most successful cartoonist studio in the Pacific Northwest, and possibly in the United States, Helioscope includes more than twenty artists and is arguably the center of Portland’s comics universe. This section showcases the breadth and depth of the studio’s output, with graphic novels, comic books, commercial design, and webcomics from this dynamic crew.
WRITERS’ ROOM
The Pacific Northwest is home to many of the most acclaimed comics writers. Portland alone can boast to be the home of Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Russell, Jeff Parker, David F. Walker, Diana Shutz, and many more. NWMOCA is excited to show their work in a unique way. In a space set up with comfy chairs, museum attendees are invited to relax and pick up a binder of their favorite writer. Inside they will find a comic script and the comic created from it. Readers will be able to see the magic of the translation from words to comic pages.
CRUCIAL COMIX
Based in Portland, Crucial Comix’ publishers believe that comics are a powerful way to shape how we perceive ourselves and the world. Comics can capture emotional realities, offering a profound way to express feelings and experiences that are impossible to depict in words alone. Comics connect with readers, drawing new eyes to stories about politics, history, and identity. Comics are made around the world by people who want to share their ideas and dreams. In short, comics are crucial.
Their new book Cartoonists For Palestine shows comics have no walls nor borders. This archive seeks to center personal responses to Gaza within the cartoonist community, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, state-identification, place of birth, or place of current existence. This archive rejects Islamophobia, antisemitism, chauvinism, and hate of any and all kinds. This anthology embraces social justice, solidarity, equality, and unity of any and all kinds.
JOE SACCO
Portlander Joe Sacco is well known as an unflinching chronicler of the injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people (Palestine, 1993; Footnotes In Gaza, 2010). He continues this mission with the 2025 Eisner Award-winning, War On Gaza, a series of graphic commentaries on Israel’s rampage that began more than two years ago. NWMOCA is pleased to show reproductions from this book.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEXT GENERATION
The artists showcased here all reside in the Pacific Northwest. They represent the next generation of talent in cartooning and comics. This section highlights an incredible breadth of styles and subject matter.
This next generation of artists come from a variety of backgrounds. Their work incorporates both traditional pen and ink cartooning, more modern digital production techniques, and experimental mediums like sewing.
help fund educational programming
We have plans to host classes, workshops, and presentations. All of these require equipment, expertise, and time!
You can help cover the costs of this work by donating!
