Myths, Monsters and Martians at the National Cartoon Gallery

The world of Myths, Monsters and Martians is the theme for the latest exhibition to open this week at the National Cartoon Gallery in time for the school holidays.

Featuring over 150 works from some of Australia’s best cartoonists and illustrators, it’s a humorous look at scary (and not-so-scary) imaginary creatures from folklore and fiction.

Gallery manager Bruce Nelson said the exhibition has been especially designed for families and a younger audience to enjoy, however the humour will appeal to all ages.

“We all love a fictional character and have grown up with them through fairytales and comic books, which have included those that are often outrageous, grotesque, and terrifying through to plain silly and funny,” he said.

“This exhibition brings together the best of the genre curated from our extensive collection of over 26,000 cartoons, so we really are showing the best of the best.

“Whether humorous cartoons about Martians invading Earth or well-known characters like Dracula, the Grim Reaper, and even Humpty Dumpty and the Cow that Jumped Over the Moon, we’re showcasing them all.”

Myths, Monsters and Martians features award-winning cartoonists including Mark Lynch, Tony Lopes, Phil Judd, and Coffs Harbour’s own Hec Goodall, with cartoons from the 1980s through to 2025.

The exhibition runs until the end of February 2026.

The Bunker Gallery features both the National Cartoon Gallery and the National Holden Motor Museum and is open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.