Heathcliff Cartoonist Peter Gallagher Opens Exhibit in Asbury Park

First major retrospective dedicated to iconic New Jersey character

Asbury Park, New Jersey, October, 2025 – New Jersey’s own Heathcliff, the original orange cat, is hitting the beach and things are going to get spooky! MONSTER BEACH, a new gallery exhibition of original Heathcliff comic art by cartoonist Peter Gallagher, will open with a public reception on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 7pm to 12am at The Art Spot on the Asbury Park boardwalk. The exhibition will run through November 22, 2025.

MONSTER BEACH is the first major retrospective dedicated to Gallagher’s iconic character, bringing together five decades of Halloween-inspired mischief and beach-town humor. The exhibition features original comic strip art, limited-edition prints, and exclusive merchandise, inviting visitors to step into the surreal, funny, and sometimes strange world of Heathcliff.

“Heathcliff has always loved a little chaos — whether he’s trick-or-treating or taking over the beach,” says Peter Gallagher, who has been writing and illustrating the beloved daily comic strip since the late 1990s. “I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite original pieces in Asbury Park, a place with its own unique and creative spirit.”

To celebrate opening night, DJ Pat Longo will provide a soundtrack of surf, soul, and Halloween vibes as fans, families, and art lovers explore the show. MONSTER BEACH is free and open to the public. Works exclusive to the show will be available for purchase.

Heathcliff was created in 1973 by Gallagher’s uncle, George Gately. The strip quickly became one of the most widely syndicated comics in the world, beloved for its offbeat humor and fearless feline star. In the late 1990s, Peter Gallagher — George’s nephew and fellow New Jerseyan — took over the strip, infusing it with a surreal edge and keeping the mischievous cat alive for a new generation of readers. Heathcliff remains one of the most widely recognized comic strip characters in the world.