Legendary comic book artist John Buscema of Port Jefferson, NY, passed away January 10, after a battle with stomach cancer. Buscema was instrumental in the early visual styling of Marvel Comics and worked for both Marvel and DC Comics. During his time at Marvel, Buscema's illustrations graced the pages of virtually every title, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and Conan.
Born December 11, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, Buscema attended the High School of Music and Art and Pratt Institute, where he studied life drawing and design. Ultimately, Buscema's studies landed him a job at Marvel Comics, then Timely Comics, in 1948. After a stint in advertising, Buscema returned to Marvel Comics in 1966, at the specific request of then Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee.
Buscema became one of the artistic pillars of the young Marvel, tutoring countless young artists, as well as co-writing with Lee How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. Many of today's top comic book artists cite Buscema as one of their chief influences.
Lee commented on the death of his longtime collaborator, "John Buscema was far more than one of our finest comic book artists. If Michaelangelo had elected to draw storyboards with pencil and pen, his style would have been close to that of Big John's. But, even more than a superb illustrator, John also was a brilliant visual storyteller. Thinking back on all of the strips that we had done together, I had only to give him the briefest kernel of a plot and he would flesh it out with his magnificent illustrations so brilliantly that the stories almost seemed to write themselves. Happily, the legacy of artwork that my dear friend, the creative giant that was John Buscema, leaves behind, will bring wonder and enjoyment to generations of readers to come."
Joe Quesada, current Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, said, "I remember how captivated I was as a young comics reader by the power of John Buscema's artwork. Even at a young age I knew I was looking at something created by an artist whose skill level was so much better than that of his contemporaries. I had the pleasure about three years ago of meeting Mr. Buscema in the Marvel offices, and he was as powerful a presence in person as his work was on the printed page. We will all miss him."
After thirty years at Marvel, Buscema began working for for DC Comics, drawing Batman in the anthology title Batman: Black & White. His most recent published work was, touchingly, with Lee, in Just Imagine Stan Lee with John Buscema Creating Superman.
Mike Carlin, Executive Editor at DC Comics, said, "It goes without saying what a privilege it was for DC to have tapped the legendary team of John Buscema and Stan Lee to reimagine Superman just one year ago... and a singular thrill to edit anything John worked on. Sadly, as it's proved to be their final collaboration, it's even more important a personal pleasure to have been a small part of it."
At the time of his death, Buscema actively was working on projects for several publishers.
Buscema is survived by his wife, Dolores, son, John Jr., his daughter, Dianne, and four grandchildren. The family has announced that a viewing will be held on Sunday, January 13 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 10pm at The Bryant Funeral Home, 411 Old Town Road, East Setauket, NY, 11733, 631-413-0082. The funeral will be held Monday morning, January 14.
Bill Rosemann Marketing Communications Manager Marvel Comics
