The Society of Illustrators is hosting an exhibit focused on the work of cartoonist, writer, and designer, Emil Ferris. Titled, Beautiful Monsters: The Art of Emil Ferris, the exhibit opens on August 3 and runs through October 19, 2024. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, August 15.

“Ferris draws in a unique style, using ball-point pen on notebook paper, with a dynamic sense of timing and rhythm. Educated at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Ferris finds inspiration in both classic paintings and horror comics. Beautiful Monsters will include original character portraits, variations on classic paintings, saints, wolves, architecture, scary clowns, and a whole gallery of monster posters,” per the exhibit’s description.

Ferris’ book, My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book Two, is set during a period of violence and protest in 1968 Chicago. Karen Reyes, a 10-year-old detective, continues investigating the murder of her neighbor and Holocaust survivor, Anka Silverberg. Featuring Ferris’ layered art, the book follows multiple complex characters, all of whom have secrets.

The exhibit is curated by Kim Munson, editor of the Comic Art Museums anthology and curator of Women in Comics and Collen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman.

My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book Two is published by Fantagraphics and is now in stores.