Marvel Universe of Super Heroes assembles at Discovery Place Science

Update, Sept. 5, 2023: Marvel Universe of Super Heroes was originally scheduled to conclude its run on Labor Day 2023. The exhibit will now be on display at Discovery Place Science through Jan. 1, 2024.

We strolled the 12,000-square-foot Marvel exhibition with Alyssa Mulliger, director of content and social media at Discovery Place Science. Here’s a peek inside the museum and some of our favorite insights Mulliger shared with us.

Step Into the Marvel Universe of Super Heroes

Inside Marvel Universe of Super Heroes, visitors will find over 300 artifacts spanning 80 years of Marvel comics and movies. Everything is authentic. That’s not a replica of Tom Holland’s Spidey suit. It’s the actual screen-used costume Holland wore in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” That’s not a copy of what “Marvel Comics #1” looked like in 1939. It’s an actual first edition of the iconic publisher’s debut comic book.

The exhibition is a treat, start to finish. It’s pretty surreal to lay eyes on such important objects from the entertainment world, especially in Charlotte, a city with no direct connection to Marvel lore. Marvel Universe of Super Heroes offers Carolinians an opportunity to experience a showcase that would feel at home in Hollywood. Brimming with joy and overflowing with history, it’s not a stretch to imagine the exhibition inspiring young visitors to pursue a career in the arts.

That being said, guests don’t need to be Marvel superfans to appreciate the experience, as Mulliger told us.

“The great thing about this exhibition is no matter if you are a diehard Marvel fan, or if you’ve just recently been introduced to the Marvel universe, there’s something for everyone,” she said. “It’s really appealing to all ages, all backgrounds, no matter your experience with the Marvel universe.”

Snap a Super Selfie

As visitors make their way through Marvel Universe of Super Heroes, they can strike a heroic pose with life-sized statues of familiar friends. Photo-ops include Black Panther in action, Spider-Man hanging upside-down, and Ms. Marvel stretching.

The photo ops — and other components of the exhibition — don’t limit themselves to the MCU, either. Adjacent film universes like “Fantastic Four,” “X-Men,” and the Marvel Netflix shows are part of the fun, too.

Discover details you don’t see in the movies

One of the most impressive components of Marvel Universe of Super Heroes is its collection of over 20 authentic costumes from Marvel films and television series. This includes the exhibition’s mic-drop: Chadwick Boseman’s supersuit from “Black Panther.” Gazing upon the costume provides visitors with an unexpected but profound opportunity to reflect on Boseman’s legacy.

“If you get up close, you can actually see details that you can’t really notice in the movies, including the Wakandan [lettering] on his suit and a few other elements with the other costumes throughout this exhibition,” Mulliger pointed out.

Boseman’s screen-used costume stands prominently alongside those of co-stars Danai Gurira (Okoye) and Letitia Wright (Shuri). Without giving away every one, a few of the many other costumes on display include those worn by Cate Blanchett (Hela), Chris Evans (Captain America), and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel).

Observe the craftsmanship of Marvel artwork

If there’s one thought Marvel Universe of Super Heroes consistently prompts its guests to consider, it’s that there’s so much more to the Marvel creative process than meets the eye. When reading a comic book or watching a movie, it’s easy to get swept up in the story while forgetting how much hand-crafted skill goes into each and every component of the finished product.

Some of the exhibition’s artwork has traces (literally) of its own history. As we admired a panel of comic book illustrations, Mulliger encouraged us to look closer. Since these are the originals, the blue pencil marks from each panel’s initial sketch are still visible among the black ink.

Enter Themed Spaces

Beyond its extensive collection of artifacts, Marvel Universe of Super Heroes also contains immersive spaces that capture the aura of familiar settings from Marvel productions. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Westview from “WandaVision” or the “Daredevil” version of Hell’s Kitchen, this is your chance. The Mirror Dimension from “Doctor Strange” is particularly stunning.

One such immersive space is significantly smaller than others: the domain of “Ant-Man.” Visitors can approach a tiny window to see teeny Scott Lang, a projection effect, interact with real objects. Seriously, this is theme park-level stuff on par with special effects in Avengers Campus.

Learn About Science

Guests also get a taste of the reality that often grounds Marvel’s fantastical narratives. This is, after all, a science museum.

“A really great part about this exhibition is there is science everywhere,” Mulliger said. “A lot of Marvel characters are scientists. We see them inside their labs. We see them innovating and working with new technologies.” Shuri, Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Riri Williams, the list goes on. “Throughout Marvel’s history, these scientists play an important role in the everyday world. It’s really exciting to be able to see that inside this exhibition.”

Plan your visit to Marvel Universe of Super Heroes

Marvel Universe of Super Heroes is open daily 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Discovery Place Science in the heart of uptown Charlotte, N.C. The exhibition runs now through Jan. 1, 2024.

Daily general admission to Discovery Place Science is $39 for children ages 2-13, $44 for guests ages 14-59, and $41 for guests ages 60+. Discovery Place recommends Marvel Universe of Super Heroes for guests ages 7 and up. General admission comes with access to some of the building’s other offerings. These currently include museum-like, family-friendly, interactive experiences about frogs, biodiversity, creativity, and anatomy.

Not interested in non-Marvel activities at Discovery Place Science? Opt for an after-hours ticket on select Friday and Saturday evenings through Dec. 30, 2023. This slightly discounted admission grants entry only into Marvel Universe of Super Heroes, but not the other exhibitions.

Marvel Universe of Super Heroes should be at the top of the 2023 bucket list for any Marvel fan in the southeast United States. To purchase your tickets and reserve an arrival time window, click here. There’s only one thing left to say: Excelsior!