Gotham City Monsters, Swamp Thing, and a Haunting Oil Painting: Exclusive Look at Stunning Artwork from the Frank Cho Exhibition, Opening This Fall at New York City’s Philippe Labaune Gallery

For years, artist Frank Cho has thrilled and chilled comic book readers with original creations and unique takes on characters ranging from Wolverine to Shanna the She-Devil, and soon you can view his stunning artwork like never before when the Frank Cho Exhibition opens this fall at New York City's Philippe Labaune Gallery, and we've been provided with an exclusive look at some of the stunning art that will be on display at the exhibition, including Swamp Thing, Gotham City Monsters, and a hauntingly beautiful oil painting.

You can check out our exclusive preview of Cho's artwork below, and we also have the official press release with additional details on the Frank Cho Exhibition, which was curated by Nathaniel Pallant and will run at the Philippe Labaune Gallery from September 19th–October 25th!

From the Press Release: Between his iconic take on Marvel heroes like Wolverine, The Hulk, and Shanna the She-Devil and his Ignatz Award-winning creator-owned comic series Liberty Meadows - self-taught, Korean-American cartoonist Frank Cho has left an indelible mark on both mainstream comics and independent illustration. This Fall, curator Nathaniel Pallant and the Philippe Labaune Gallery will present a career-spanning exhibit of Cho’s artwork including pieces from the artist’s personal sketchbooks, new paintings, and examples of Cho’s fan-favorite comic art from titles such as Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Conan the Barbarian.

Cho began his comics career with Everything but the Kitchen Sink, a comic strip in Maryland’s Prince George Community College’s weekly newspaper and daily comic University2 for University of Maryland newspaper The Diamondback, which earned him the 1994 College Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz Award. Shortly after graduating, Cho launched his syndicated comic strip Liberty Meadows, where he honed the masterful draftsmanship, razorsharp humor, and playful approach to the classic pin-up style that has earned him legions of passionate fans.

“Perched at the intersection of classical illustration and the kinetic energy of comic art, Frank Cho resists easy classification.” said Philippe Labaune. “His work prompts the question: which came first - the illustrator or the storyteller? Is it his command of line and form that breathes life into his comics, or did the narrative demands of comics sharpen his precision and elevate his draftsmanship? In Cho’s case, the answer is both. Like the chicken and the egg, his illustrative elegance and comic vitality are inseparable, each feeding and refining the other in a seamless, self-sustaining loop. This exhibition reveals his evolving fine art sensibilities, personal sketchbook studies, mastery over the ballpoint pen, and new paintings that echo the vitality of Frazetta, the sensuality of Manara, the precision of Darrow, and the mischievous wit uniquely his own.”

Of particular note is Cho’s extraordinary crosshatching technique which is a meticulous practice that reveals his reverence for traditional methods. Through dense lines and tonal precision, he creates works that feel sculpted from ink, each figure rendered with volume, weight, and palpable energy. His technical mastery brings to mind the classic illustrators of the early 20th century, while reimagining their sensibilities for the modern era.

“I want to revive the classical sensibilities of the Golden Age of Illustration into comics breaking boundaries and seamlessly blending genres into a visually striking and harmonious style,” says Cho.

“Frank Cho is not just an illustrator, he is a visual storyteller,” said Labaune. “His work speaks volumes through gesture, anatomy, and attitude, capturing moments that are at once intimate and mythic. This exhibition pulls back the curtain on his influences, creative process, and artistic philosophy. It is a celebration of craftsmanship, narrative power, and the rich visual language of comics reimagined as fine art.”

The Frank Cho Exhibition will be open to the public from Friday September 19th until Saturday October 25th. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, September 18th from 6pm to 9pm .

The Philippe Labaune Gallery is located at 534 West 24th Street in New York and is open from Thursday through Saturday, from 10am to 6pm. The roots of Philippe Labaune Gallery have a strong European influence: among the artists are esteemed creators such as Lorenzo Mattotti, Nicolas de Crécy, Guido Crepax, Dave Mckean or François Schuiten. In recent years, American artists such as Landis Blair, Rebecca Leveille Guay, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Paul Pope, and Peter de Sève have helped Philippe Labaune Gallery to foster a community of overlapping art collectors and comic fans from all over the world.

About Philippe Labaune Gallery: Established by Philippe Labaune in 2021 in New York City, Philippe Labaune Gallery is the first contemporary art gallery in the United States specializing in high-end narrative art and illustration. The gallery set itself a course to highlight graphic design through showcasing the work of artists whose commonality is to explore new territories and de-compartmentalize the borders separating various modes of expression: illustration, painting, comic strips, and animation. The pivotal contributions of narrative artists in such cultural domains are showcased through a carefully curated collection spotlighting the convergence between fine art and comic illustration.

Frank Cho was born near Seoul, South Korea in 1971, and moved to the United States when he was six. A self-taught artist, Cho graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in nursing but gained early acclaim for his comic strip Liberty Meadows, a cult favorite that blended anthropomorphic humor with pin-up style art. His distinctive blend of technical skill and playful sensuality has since earned him widespread recognition in both mainstream and independent comics. He has worked with major publishers such as Marvel, DC, and Image Comics, contributing to titles like Shanna the She-Devil, Savage Wolverine, Mighty Avengers, and Wonder Woman. Cho has received multiple awards, including the National Cartoonists Society’s Award for Comic Book Illustration and the Charles M. Schulz Award for Excellence in College Cartooning.

Nathaniel Pallant is a graduate of the world-renowned Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. With over 26 years of experience as an award-winning Art Director in global advertising, he has created Addy- and Cannes Lion–recognized campaigns for leading brands including Pfizer, Suntory, AT&T, and Warner Brothers. Beyond advertising, Pallant brings his expertise to a wide range of creative industries—collaborating with NHK Television on live-action and animation projects, developing published properties with international partners, and spearheading artist-driven collaborations across fashion and entertainment. His curatorial practice draws on a multifaceted creative pedigree, ensuring that artists such as Frank Cho are represented with aesthetic fidelity and presented in ways that resonate across creative disciplines and audiences.