Rallying call grows to comics community to help recover John Buscema artworks stolen from his family

By John Freeman on November 7, 2020 • ( 2 )

Both comic creators and the comics press have rallied to highlight the theft of several pieces of artwork stolen from the late John Buscema‘s family, and downthetubes is joining that call.

John’s daughter Dianne Buscema-Gerogianis is urging everyone to keep their eyes open for a number of missing artworks featuring characters John is famous for drawing at Marvel Comics, including the Silver Surfer and Conan.

With comic art commanding huge prices at auction on both sides of the Atlantic, there are fears the work will be sold on illegally, perhaps to unknowing collectors of its source.

Walter Simonson was among the comic creators who posted Dianne’s message on social media, while Joe Jusko has posted images of some the stolen works in a Facebook post.

*Some of the artworks stolen from John Buscema’s family*

“I am reaching out to you all as 45 pieces of Dad’s original artwork was stolen from our family,” asks Dianne. “I cannot go into detail as the police and authorities have been notified. I am asking to please contact me if you hear or see anything for sale. I cannot post photos of everything that has been taken, but I am posting some.”

Any help given to return these artworks to the family would be greatly appreciated. Understandably, “they are pretty devastated as John kept so little of his own work,” notes Joe Jusko.

• If you can help, the police complaint number is #20-550948 and if you have any information, contact the Suffolk County, New York Police Department

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.