McDaniel College serves as premiere host of exhibition featuring works from acclaimed graphic novel ‘Breathtaker’

McDaniel College serves as the premiere host of an exhibition featuring original works of art in conjunction with the remastered edition of Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel’s acclaimed graphic novel “Breathtaker” following a two-year delay (exhibition was originally slated for Aug. 24-Oct. 30, 2020).

Free and open to the public, the exhibition runs Monday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Oct. 29, in McDaniel’s Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall. An opening reception takes place Thursday, Aug. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., with a gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Also in conjunction with the exhibition, Mark Wheatley speaks during the Honors Program Annual Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., in Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science. This event is also free and open to the public.

Organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the exhibition includes more than 90 original works of art and explores the creative and physical processes undertaken during the original production of the “Breathtaker” comic in the 1990s, as well as how the work was re-adapted during the preparation stages for the Titan Comics re-release.

"McDaniel College is proud to serve as the premiere host of the ‘Breathtaker Exhibition,’ which represents a chance to see up close the results of the creative chemistry and collaborative process between Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel,” said Robert Lemieux, associate professor of Communication and Cinema.

“This is a natural fit for McDaniel, having previously mounted a major exhibition exploring the serious side of newspaper comic strips, as it provides the opportunity to look behind-the-scenes at the process that gave birth to an award-winning graphic novel. The engaging mix of the art displayed will only further enhance the incredible story in the book.”

From giving viewers the opportunity to experience story and character development to seeing the construction of a narrative in the comic format, the exhibition will incorporate examples from all aspects of the creative process.

“It is gratifying to see an institution of the stature of the Norman Rockwell Museum and such a highly regarded college as McDaniel recognizing the legitimate power of comic art to communicate, entertain and explore social constructs and ideas. Without their strong and creative support, this exhibition would not be happening. The truth is, there are comic fans in every walk of life. And we shouldn't be surprised to find many of these fans working in the arts,” Wheatley said.

“Breathtaker” is about Chase Darrow, who is on the run after both she and her mother had this crazy idea that the government should not be in the business of deciding how she should live her life. With the NSA having their lead agent on her trail, they have given her the code name of Breathtaker.

Hours for the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery at McDaniel College are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Call 410-857-2595 for more information.

Additional information:

• McDaniel College follows current CDC protocols and recommendations related to COVID-19 and asks that visitors adhere to all policies and regulations in accordance with the latest guidelines.
• Requests for interpreters are welcome and can be made up to one week prior to the event by contacting interpretingservices@mcdaniel.edu. Other accommodation requests can be directed to Conference Services at 410-857-2407.