Every superhero has an origin story. So does this Philly exhibit

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Just like every great superhero, Philly's newest Black comic exhibition has an origin story: Some comic lovers, one with serious illustration chops, got together and said, "Let's make this happen."

Why it matters: Philly has its own place in comic book history: Influential Black cartoonist George Herriman, the creator of "Krazy Kat," had his first comic strip published in a Philly newspaper.

The big picture: Movies like the box-office hit "Black Panther" have introduced younger audiences to comic books, which are often viewed as nostalgic collectibles.

Driving the news: "The Black Hero's Journey" opened this month at Penn's Goldstein Gallery and runs through May 15, highlighting the struggles of Black comics and their creators to be taken seriously while challenging harmful stereotypes about how Black characters have been portrayed.

Zoom in: The exhibit is meant to get people thinking about the qualities that make a hero, whether real or fictional.

Friction point: Black comic illustrators have often struggled to be taken seriously.

Flashback: Battle knows that firsthand.

Yes, but: He was undeterred, finding that comic books blended the best of several art forms — anatomy, geometry and imagination.

Flash forward: He's now illustrated for a who's who of comic book publishers, including Marvel and DC.

What they're saying: Comics and graphic novels have "really become an important part of just, you know, culture at this point," Battle, who has also illustrated books about Philly jazz and Black Lives Matter , tells Axios.

Case in point: Battle teamed up with lawyer and author Christopher Benson on a graphic novel about Emmett Till .

1 cool thing: Visitors are greeted by a giant comic book cover called "Super Hero City" that uses Philly's City Hall as a backdrop.

The bottom line: Through graphic novels and exhibitions, Battle is exploring the art of advocacy.

If you go: The exhibition is open on the sixth floor of Penn's Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.

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