One of Columbus' best-kept secrets marks the start of a new era this weekend, reopening at Ohio State with a new look, new exhibitions and an internationally recognized headliner.

Why it matters: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is the world's largest collection of comics and cartoon art, an archive that draws experts and enthusiasts from all over the world.

Zoom in: You may have walked past the museum without ever realizing it. The modest space is nestled inside the High Street-facing Sullivant Hall on campus.

• Inside, the collection contains more than 3 million objects, ranging from newspaper comic strips and graphic novels to journals and artists' drawing desks.
• The gallery contains only a fraction of the collection's most interesting and popular items — the rest is open for appointments from researchers, historians, families and comic lovers.

Flashback: The museum was established in 1977 thanks to a massive collection donated by Ohio-born cartoonist Milton Caniff, an OSU alumnus.

• Originally called the Milton Caniff Reading Room, it was renamed in 2009 to honor his mentor, Billy Ireland, a longtime Columbus Dispatch cartoonist.

The latest: The museum has been closed since November, undergoing building upgrades and a layout change while leaders shift the way visitors will experience its collection.

• The space now centers around the "Story of Comics" exhibition, a trip through 400 years of comic history over a variety of mediums and storytelling methods.

What they're saying: The museum's newest era is an attempt to embrace both fun and historical elements of the art, says Caitlin McGurk, curator of comics and cartoon art.

• "This is one of the few museums where you come and hear people laughing," she says.

The intrigue: The space isn't just about niche or historical work — heavy-hitters have their own dedicated exhibitions.

• One gallery is a dedicated "Calvin & Hobbes" space featuring a collection of originals from Bill Watterson, who has a longtime relationship with the museum.

The headliner of the new space is "Life Is Complicated," featuring the work of cartoonist Chris Ware, who wrote and designed the exhibition himself.

• The exhibition has been touring Europe for years, and Ware chose OSU as its final and only American stop.

The bottom line: Next year, the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary — and with a new look and a renewed focus, it may just get the acclaim it deserves.

• "We are a Mecca for people who love this," McGurk says.

📍 If you go: Open 1-5pm Tuesday-Sunday, 1813 N. High St. Free!

It's National Road Trip Day, but thanks to gas prices, your excursion might be a little more expensive than you're used to.

Why it matters: This Memorial Day is projected to be the busiest travel weekend of all time, and if you're setting off in a car, it will hit your wallet harder than last year.

The latest: A gallon of gas in Franklin County will cost you an average of $4.85, according to local GasBuddy data as of yesterday.

• That's the highest average cost of gas on May 21 since GasBuddy started recording data in 2008.
• It's up more than $1.75 from last year's average of $3.08.

The big picture: Gas now costs at least $4 per gallon in every U.S. state.

• That's due, in large part, to the ongoing war in Iran.

Regardless of gas prices, owning a car has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.

Why it matters: Columbus is car-centric, so ownership is non-negotiable for most of us.

By the numbers: The average monthly payment for a new vehicle in Ohio is now $663, according to new data from car research site Edmunds.

• For a used vehicle, it's $511.
• Your mileage may vary, though, depending on vehicle type — a new truck, for example, averages $800, while a new car is $595.

The big picture: Nationally, an average vehicle payment is $770 new and $560 used.

• The higher costs are driven by several factors, especially higher sticker prices and interest rates.

Stunning stat: Add up gas, insurance, repairs and sticker prices, and the cost of owning one vehicle is up 47% since 2020, per Navy Federal Credit Union.

• That's faster than either inflation or wages have risen.

It's no surprise, then, that more Americans are falling behind on payments or staying out of the market altogether.

• The average age of vehicles on the road hit a record-high 13 years last year.

🪑 A new bipartisan bill would require Ohio boards of elections to offer voters accommodations to reduce the amount of time they spend standing in line at the polls. (WCMH-TV)

🎒 The lawsuit challenging Ohio's EdChoice school voucher system continues making its way through the court system.

• A judge declared the program unconstitutional last year, but the state is appealing — and it's likely the case will go before the Ohio Supreme Court. (Statehouse News Bureau)

🍹 Huli Huli Tiki Lounge opened a downtown offshoot of its popular Powell bar and restaurant. (Columbus Underground)

Central Ohioans will honor and remember fallen U.S. service members in a variety of ways over Memorial Day weekend, but one tradition stands out for its visually striking tribute.

🇺🇸 Our pick: Westerville's Field of Heroes

Zoom in: A field of over 3,000 flags dedicated to veterans will stand all weekend long.

• Anybody can walk among the flags, illuminated at night and the backdrop for various events during the day.

Stop by: Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave.

What else is happening:

🥳 Festival season is officially in full swing: the Asian Festival, Ohio Black Expo and Jeni's Strawberry Jam are Saturday and Sunday.

⚾ The Clippers are at home Friday-Sunday, with Star Wars Night and fireworks Saturday.

🤼 WWE Raw is at the Schottenstein Center Monday night.

🏊‍♀️ Several local pools and splash pads will open — but check the forecast first.