DR. SMASH! & LADRÖNN KAPOW! SUPERHERO ICONS UNMASKED:

DUO EXHIBITION TURNS ACTION-PACKED PAGE ON

SUPERHERO ICONOGRAPHY & COMIC BOOK ART AT ACE/121 GALLERY

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Exhibition on view April 5-May 3, 2025 | Opening Reception on April 5

DR. SMASH! - He Said They Were Just Friends | LADRÖNN - LANDSCAPE 001

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(March 31, 2025 - Glendale, CA) - Glendale Arts is thrilled to announce KAPOW! Superhero Icons Unmasked, a dynamic duo exhibition at ace/121 Gallery featuring the bold, action-packed works of DR. SMASH! and LADRÖNN. This electrifying showcase explores superhero iconography through comic book art, watercolors, assemblages, and collage, offering an exhilarating deep dive into the genre’s visual language and cultural impact.

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KAPOW! Superhero Icons Unmasked will be on view from April 5-May 3, 2025. The public is invited to meet the extraordinary artists behind the exhibition at the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 5 from 6:00-8:00pm.

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Contemporary Neo-Pop artist DR. SMASH! will be presenting a collection of new and past works that channel the vibrant energy of 1950s-1970s comic books, films, and advertising. His Bad Romance series delivers a comedic twist on superhero narratives, while his experimental collage pieces incorporate vintage comic book ads, word balloons, spray paint, and stencils - celebrating an era when comic books were pure, unfiltered fun.

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LADRÖNN, an acclaimed comic book artist, illustrator, and conceptual designer known for his work with major comic book publishers and independent studios, will unveil an entirely new series of superhero watercolors alongside striking alien landscapes. This exhibition marks his first major presentation of personal works, giving gallery visitors a rare glimpse into the artist’s singular vision beyond the printed page.

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Ace/121 Gallery is located at 121 N. Kenwood St., Glendale, CA 91206. The Gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11:00am-5:00pm. Additional details are available at ace121gallery.com.

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About the Artists

DR. SMASH! is a contemporary Neo-Pop Artist. Using iconic imagery from cartoons, comic books, film and advertising, he pushes the envelope of contemporary art. The orchestrated collision of street art and pop art has been his balancing act. Dr. Smash works in acrylics, spray paint, ink and assemblage. His paintings and drawings are a juxtaposition of inspiration from TV, comic books and pop culture with a fun and eclectic twist. Trying to capture the feeling and emotion of a moving cartoon on a flat canvas, or the mood one gets when flipping the pages of an old comic book, Dr. Smash's work incorporates fun, strange and recognizable subjects in disturbingly bizarre situations. Dr. Smash has a background in advertising, film and comics. His film and TV credits include: Lovecraft Country, Fantasy Island, Solar Opposites, Dreamwork’s 3Below, Bob’s Burgers, Insidious 4, Lego: Guardians of the Galaxy, Despicable Me 2, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out, The Super Hero Squad Show, Marvel Heroes 4D, and Lego Hero Factory. Dr. Smash's comic book credits include: Heavy Metal Magazine, Bob’s Burgers, Warlash, DTOX, Zombie Terrors and Chicken Soup For Satan among others. His work has been exhibited at the Bruce Lurie Gallery, the Black Sheep Gallery,Copro Gallery, Dark Art Emporium, Arch Enemy Arts, Phone Booth Gallery, Night Gallery Fine Arts and Cannibal Flower. Follow @drsmashart for more information.

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LADRÖNN is a comic book artist, illustrator, and conceptual designer based in the Greater Los Angeles area. He was profoundly influenced by European comics, particularly The Black Incal by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius, The Long Tomorrow by Dan O’Bannon and Moebius, and H.R. Giger’s Necronomicon, which inspired him to pursue a career in art. Ladrönn began his professional journey in 1996 with Marvel Comics, working on titles such as Marvel Shadows & Light #1, Spider-Boy Team-Up #1 for Amalgam Comics, Cable, Fantastic Four, Thor, and The Inhumans. Concurrently, he contributed to DC Comics with works like Legends of the DC Universe: Superman’s Transilvane. His distinctive style, blending classic comic aesthetics with intricate detail, garnered attention and acclaim. In 1999, Ladrönn collaborated with the French publisher Humanoïdes Associés, creating covers for the U.S. edition of The Incal. He also illustrated Tears of Gold for Metal Hurlant magazine and, notably, Final Incal, the concluding saga of the renowned science fiction series The Incal, both scripted by Alejandro Jodorowsky. Their partnership continued with The Sons of El Topo, a surrealist Western sequel to Jodorowsky’s cult film El Topo. In 2006, Ladrönn received the Eisner Award for Best Painter/Multimedia Artist for his work on Hip Flask: Mystery City, collaborating with writer and publisher Richard Starkings. His extensive portfolio also includes painted covers for series such as The All-New Atom, OMAC Project, Green Arrow & Black Canary, The Spirit, All-Star Western, Planet Hulk, and Uncanny Avengers. Ladrönn’s passion for science fiction, horror, and surreal art continues to influence his work, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and visionary artist in the comic book industry. Follow @ladronn.art for more information.

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About Glendale Arts
Glendale Arts (GA) is an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization that generates opportunities throughout greater Los Angeles to showcase, promote, encourage, and engage with the arts. Founded in 2008, GA delivers dynamic arts and entertainment programming through signature programs such as the Glendale International Film Festival and Solo Fest; operates and programs ace/121 Gallery, a multidisciplinary venue in Glendale, CA; and drives engagement through its membership program, SCENE. Find out more at GlendaleArts.org or @GlendaleArtsCA on Facebook and Instagram.

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About ace/121 Gallery
ace/121 Gallery is a multidisciplinary venue located in the center of Glendale, CA at the ace/121 artist colony. The Gallery hosts year-round art exhibits, live performances, screenings, conversations, readings, classes, workshops, and special events. ace/121 Gallery is operated and programmed by Glendale Arts, an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization that generates opportunities to showcase, promote, and create engagement around the arts and entertainment in Glendale and throughout greater Los Angeles. Find out more at ace121gallery.com or @ace121gallery on Facebook and Instagram.

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