We’re sorry to report the passing of American artist Sal Buscema, aged 89, last week, just a few days short of his 90th birthday, his death announced by his family.
Sal Buscema was primarily known for his work for Marvel Comics, pencilling and inking the Marvel Universe’s most iconic heroes and villains for over more than four decades. He had a nine and a half year run as artist of The Incredible Hulk (from issue #194, December 1975 to #309, July 1985), his favourite Marvel character, and an eight-year run as artist of The Spectacular Spider-Man, and his work on the first fifteen issues of Rom: Spaceknight. He also worked, briefly, for DC Comics in the late 1990s, on Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow.
The younger brother of comics artist John Buscema, they were often paired on projects, the cover of Silver Surfer #4 being one that stands out for me (although, reportedly, brother John wasn’t keen on the feathering).
In an official announcement of Sal’s passing, his family confirmed, with a heavy heart, that Sal Buscema passed away on Saturday 24th January 2026 in his home, two days before his 90th Birthday.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Buscema married since 1960 and his three adult sons.
“Sal was always humbled by all the fans and appreciation bestowed on him over the years,” they stated.
“Our family asks that you please be respectful of our time for mourning. We will update the public on this official Sal Buscema Facebook page as we have information to share.”
Tributes from comic creators to the artist and his work swiftly followed…
Farewell, Sal Buscema: Comic Creator Tributes
Former Marvel UK editor Tim Quinn shared a fine example of the American comics artist, marking his passing.
While Sal’s work was integral to Marvel UK’s many reprint titles here in Britain, including its long running flagship title, Mighty World of Marvel, Tim recalls how Sal once drew a cover for one of his titles, for Exploits of Spider-Man #22… a cover so standout, it was also used as a pullout poster.
Exploits of Spider-Man was a popular title, sold in newsagents, that reprinted both US and UK Marvel material, early issues seeing British heroine Motormouth alongside Spider-Man inside.
“I’d loved Sal Buscema’s work at Marvel from way back, so it was quite a moment when he walked into my office and asked if I needed any covers for upcoming issues of Spider-Man,” Tim recalls.
“Well, can you give me a picture of the Green Goblin battling Spider-Man high over New York City, and give a touch of vertigo to the scene?” I asked.
“He picked up a pencil, sat at one end of my desk and mere minutes later handed me this drawing with the words: ‘Would something like this do?’
“It did, and his cover pencil rough has been on my office wall ever since. Those old Marvel guys really knew their way around a pencil. They could draw a brick and make it look interesting.”
“There’s hardly a Marvel character Sal didn’t leave his mark on, from Captain America to the Hulk, Avengers to Thor,” noted comic writer J.M. DeMatteis. “Working with Sal for two years on Spectacular Spider-Man remains a highlight of my career. Not just a great artist, he was a truly good guy. Safe journeys, Sal. You will be missed.”
“So sad to hear of the passing of Sal Buscema,” wrote Fantastic Four and Spider-man artist Neil Edwards. “His Hulk was a huge part of my life and couldn’t get enough of his Hulk in the Mighty World of Marvel… thank you for all the amazing books, including my favourite – The Incredible Hulk issue 216!”
“If you read any comics in the 1970’s and 80’s, you know his work,” Marvel and 2000AD artist Mike Perkins commented. “A wonderful artist and a great storyteller – on and off the page. I was honoured to share a panel with him a few years back and he could hold the audience in that room without controlling the panel. A true gent. My dearest condolences to his family and friends.”
“I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Sal Buscema,” wrote Steve Leialoha. “He was a Marvel Comics mainstay for decades! I never met him, but I did get to collaborate with him on several projects.
“I always thought he was under appreciated. He was a very solid storyteller but thought he had a lot of inkers/finishers who added little to the layouts he was drawing. I did my best to showcase what he was putting down.
I also liked his inking. His work with his brother on the Silver Surfer is some of my all-time favorites.”
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Sal Buscema,” wrote John Stanisci. “I had the great privilege of working with Sal on Spider Man and then on his very first Batman story at DC. He was a great artist and was a foundational part of my childhood with all his work at Marvel.”
“I grew up on his Hulk,” noted Disney artist Tom Morgan. “He touched every corner of the Marvel universe. Lucky enough to work with him once. The world is poorer without him.”
“I’ve read a million of the comics that [Sal] worked on over the years,” said Erik Larsen. “I never met the man but worked with him briefly on the Defenders. He made a huge impact and will be very much missed.
“Sal was a rock. And Sal was what every editor dreamed of – a guy who could deliver the goods – a guy they could depend on. Sal was one of those guys they could turn to whenever somebody else fumbled the ball – he could pound out a solid issue over a long weekend and make that deadline.”
“John and Sal Buscema, two giants in our corner of the art world,” noted artist Sam Hart. “Together, over 100 years of storytelling.”
“What a legend!” declared Stan Lee Award Winning Artist Simon Wyatt. “I didn’t fully realise what an influence his art was on me … A fantastic storyteller with great ‘character acting’ and amazing dynamism. Loved his Hulk, Spider-Man and especially Rom. He drew the best back slaps in comics.”
Sal Buscema, born 26th January 1936, died 24th January 2026. Our sympathies to family and friends at this time
Head downthetubes for…
• J.M. DeMatteis: The Value of Silence
Back in 2013, comic writer J.M. DeMatteis wrote a blog post extolling the joys of working with the great Sal Buscema, considering his work on Spectacular Spider-Man #200 one of his finest hours.
“He can draw beautifully, he’s an impeccable visual storyteller and a total professional, DeMatteis wrote. “Add to that the fact that Sal is a truly good person – I’d go so far as to use an old-fashioned word and call him a gentleman – and you can understand why I loved working with him.”
Marvel published a Spectacular Spider-Man by DeMatteis & Buscema Omnibus last year (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• MARVEL: Remembering Sal Buscema, 1936-2026
• Incredible Hulk Sal Buscema Marvel Artist Select (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Published by IDW in 2015, this oversized, limited-edition hardcover celebrates Sal Buscema’s time on The Incredible Hulk with a hand-curated selection of Buscema’s favourite issues chosen by the artist himself. Contains stories from his legendary Hulk run, featuring Doc Samson, the Silver Surfer, the Absorbing Man, the Leader, the Death of Glenn Talbot, and the first appearance of Rocket Raccoon.
• 13th Dimension: Paul Kupperberg: My 13 Favourite Sal Buscema Splash Pages
• The Beat: Sal Buscema, beloved comics artist, passes away
• Comic Book Club: Sal Buscema, Comic Book Legend, Dead At 89
• Marvel Fandom Wiki: Sal Buscema – Cover Artist Credits
• ComicGeekSpeak: Sal Buscema Interview
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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.
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