For the first time ever, New Yorkers will be able to view Frank Frazetta’s legendary fantasy artwork—including seminal pieces from his signature Death Dealer and Conan series—in its original form.
Beginning April 17, the new Metropolis Gallery will host its first exhibit: a showcase of Frazetta’s work along with other fine artists. The Gallery is the creation of Metropolis Collectibles, the world’s largest vintage comic collectibles dealer, www.MetropolisComics.com.
Metropolis Collectibles and its online auction house, www.ComicConnect.com, have regularly shattered records for million-dollar deals, amassing an inventory of more than 150,000 vintage comics. The 31 year old company holds five Guinness World Records for all-time high comic and collectibles transactions.
In 2010, it was the first to break the million dollar threshold. Last fall, they moved to a new 5000 square foot showroom in midtown Manhattan.
Metropolis Gallery’s Vincent Zurzolo says, “Without question, Frank Frazetta is the foremost fantasy art illustrator in the world. He brought an academic, classical style of painting to a genre that was largely pulp-style art, infusing elegance and beauty into otherwise violent and erotic scenes.”
Frazetta illustrated comic books, album covers, movie posters, and, most famously, book covers. Several of his paintings have recently sold for $1 million or more.
Metropolis Gallery is curated by Rob Pistella, who has more than 40 years of experience in comic art. He served as Frazetta’s business manager until the artist’s death in 2010.
“Without question, Frank Frazetta is the foremost fantasy art illustrator in the world,” says Pistella.
In addition, gallery visitors will find a wide variety of works by Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson, Barry Windsor Smith, Jack Kirby, Todd McFarlane, Gil Kane, George Herriman, Winsor McCay, Jeffrey Jones, Alex Toth, Mac Raboy, Curt Swan, Don Heck, Frank Miller, John Buscema, Robert Crumb, Victor Moscoso, Mark Beyer, Gary Panter, Roy Krenkel, Brom Frezzato, Eric Larsen, Gene Colan, and more.
The show’s opening will be held Friday, April 17, 6-9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 11 am-5pm. Thereafter, viewings will be by appointment. Metropolis is located at 36 West 37th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10018.