Exhibit See: "Comics Stripped" Opens Tonight at the Museum of Sex (NYC)

Superman gave comics a mainstream voice in 1938, but the comic style of illustration had been used for years before that as a medium for "dirty drawings." During the Great Depression, sex comics became particularly popular, and the cell illustration technique was used to portray explicit encounters ranging from busty women to fetish art, sexual fantasy, and as a way to poke fun at other taboo topics. Tonight, the Museum of Sex in New York opens Comics Stripped, a collection of 150 artifacts that include original drawings, illustrated books, comic books, magazines, and videos that have used animated characters to look at American sexuality. The works on display follow the history of sex in comics up until the current day, including art by R. Crumb and selections from the Playboy archives. Hit the jump to check out images from the show.