While over 340 different character-based products have been used to simultaneously entertain and educate children, comic books have had a unique influence on the development of entertainment characters and serve as a microcosm of our pop culture story.

Since Baltimore was founded on July 30, 1729 it has grown to become one of the most prominent and distinctive cities in the world. Its thriving community of passionate individuals has produced no shortage of heroes on the individual, group and business levels. Baltimore Heroes highlights many of the unique personalities and companies that have helped make Charm City so charming.

From 1776 to 1927, the Brownies, The Yellow Kid, Buster Brown, the Katzenjammer Kids and more gradually filled the newspaper pages as comic characters provided entertainment and social commentary for the whole family.

From 1928 to 1945, the Great Depression and World War II molded a new America through extreme adversity.

From 1946 to 1960, post-war America fell in love with a new medium for educating and entertaining a growing nation.

From 1961 to 1970, American youth led the way to our nation’s future as the arrival of British rock and roll heralded a new era in music and media.

From 1971 to 1990, America shifted from an industrial to an information economy as new media technologies increased the nation’s focus on home entertainment.

With television in 98% of American households, 24-hour news broadcasts and the proliferation of computer and Internet use, the phrase "multimedia" sums up the pop culture of the 1990s and early 2000s.

The store is open during regular Museum hours, and features merchandise and collectibles that capture the spirit of the Museum’s vast collection.