The Illustrated Word Gallery presents the Joe Parente Collection – Little Nemo Shop Collection

Joe Parente was one of the pioneers in the world of comic book and comic art collecting and dealing. In 1969 Joseph Parente opened The Little Nemo Shop, one of the first shops of its kind, devoted entirely to comics, comic art, pulps, tear sheets, and everything else in the collectible world of the comics. During its 27-year run, The Little Nemo Shop hosted appearances and signings by all of the best artists of the day. In fact, The Little Nemo Shop became a hangout for many of the artists who lived in the NY area. Howie Chaykin was at the store to launch American Flagg and Walt Simonson signed his iconic Beta-Rey Bill on its first day of release. Joe was there for the first of the Phil Sueling comic conventions and traveled with Phil to the first San Diego Con when it was at the El Cortez Hotel. During the 80s and ’90s, Joe acted as the American liaison for the Prato Comic Con in Italy and over the years brought John Buscema, Will Eisner, and Jim Steranko, among many others, with him to Italy. Joe and Jim Steranko were old friends by that time, as they had published two landmark original art catalogs in the late 70s. They bought, sold, and traded some spectacular art over the years. The art you see in this exhibit is from Joe’s collection, which has spanned well over 45 years of collecting, selling, and loving the comics and comic art in all its forms. Enjoy!

– Chris Parente