Holy Batmobile! The iconic TV car is parked in the New-York Historical Society's lobby. 

Superheroes in Gotham highlights the work of six legendary comic book creators—Stan Lee, Bob Kane, Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel, Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby—the men behind Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Captain America and other classic characters. The exhibit explores how the roots of this American literary form can be found right here in New York City, what inspired these artists and writers to come up with these superheroes, and how the characters are connected to the Big Apple.

Action Comics #1, original art and the backstory to DC Comic's Superman. 

The industry's largest publishers, Marvel Comics and DC Comics, both got their start here, so it makes sense that NYC played such a large part in the genre's origins. Marvel's superheroes lived in the real world, with the adventures of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Tony Stark/Iron Man taking place in familiar New York City locations. In contrast, the DC Universe is entirely fictional, though many locales seem familiar. Superman's Metropolis, for example, was originally based on co-creator Shuster's hometown of Toronto, but later came to resemble parts of New York City. (The Brooklyn Bridge and other iconic spots make cameos in the comic.) And clearly Batman's Gotham City was meant to be the once-gritty streets of downtown Manhattan.

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Jerry Siegel with his typewriter, ca. 1943. Collection of Steve Soboroff/Courtesy New-York Historical Society.

For comic books lovers, it's thrilling to be able to get an up-close look at all of the artifacts on display, like the typewriter Jerry Siegel used to bang out Superman's exploits, and TV props and costumes such as Julie Newmar's sexy Catwoman costume, the bright-red Bat Phone from the '60s Batman, and George Reeves' red-and-blue knit suit from the '50s Adventures of Superman. And of course there are incredibly rare comic books behind glass. This is the closest most mortals will ever get to original issues of Batman #1, Action Comics #1 (Superman's first appearance), WWII-era Captain America and Wonder Woman, and Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man's first appearance) along with a pair of original Ditko drawings from the issue that have never been displayed anywhere outside of The Library of Congress.

The exhibit also touches on more recent NYC history with a display of September 11-themed comics and DMC, a superhero story set in 1985 Queens developed by Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC fame. (Hip-hop fans take note: the rapper's trademark hat, glasses and kicks are also on view.)

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There are two interactive stations: a photo booth where you can pose superhero-style in front of a green screen loaded with several choices of action backgrounds, plus a short quiz to find out what kind of caped crusader you are. Visitors can also thumb through a selection of contemporary comics and trade paperbacks, and watch superhero TV shows. While these are fun and enhance your experience, they're not enough to please short-attention-span preschoolers. This exhibit is really best enjoyed by ages 9 and up, but if your comic-book-obsessed tot insists on going, it might be best to go when there's a special family program, like the upcoming superhero-themed Halloween Party. Or, just take just a peek at that retro Batmobile and then head to the Dimenna Children's History Museum on the lower level with antsy kids.

Superheroes in Gotham is on view at the New-York Historical Society through Sunday, February 21, 2016.