Through my time with GVN, I’ve never hidden my admiration for John Buscema’s work. But right alongside him in greatness was his brother, Sal. He consistently delivered fantastic artwork that never disappointed, and he was always ready to step in for Marvel—whether it was to handle a rush job or fill in for another artist who needed a hand. If quality work was needed that could be depended on, Sal Buscema was the man. To such an extent that, over the years, fans grew accustomed to being spoiled. This ultimately led to his remarkable work being under-appreciated at times, except by fans like me who truly admired his talents. Thus, I was deeply saddened by Sal’s passing this past week.
Sal Buscema: Beginnings
Born in Brooklyn, New York City, on January 26, 1936, Silvio “Sal” Buscema was the youngest of the four Buscema siblings. His father, who was born in Italy and died in 1973, was a barber. Sal’s brothers were Alfred and John, a celebrated comic book artist in his own right, and his sister Carol. In previous interviews, Sal acknowledged that it was John who inspired his pursuit of comic art.
In 1968, Sal started working for Marvel Comics, where John was already well-established as a freelance artist. For about a year, Sal dedicated himself to learning how to create dynamic pages in the Marvel Comics storytelling style, often facing tough critiques from big brother, John. That dedication included working on his pencilling skills, although Sal’s main intention was to ink. His inking skills earned him his first assignments, including work with his brother John on Silver Surfer.
Eventually, Sal took on pencilling duties for The Avengers and, over time, became one of the most prolific artists in the Marvel “Bullpen,” cranking out pages at an incredible pace and stepping in whenever a fill-in was needed. His work on The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, and Captain America stood out, as he teamed up with some of the era’s top writers. This included Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Bill Mantlo, Gerry Conway, and J.M. DeMatteis. All of which had nothing but praise for Sal’s professionalism and storytelling ability. His work to this day stands as a great example for aspiring comic book professionals.
Sal’s Passing
I learned of Sal’s passing from a post by iconic comic writer J.M. Dematteis, who had the pleasure of working with Sal in the past. One of my many regrets is that I began this wonderful journey too late to interview the remarkable Sal. But, as comic fans, we’re lucky to have so many examples of his iconic work. One of the favorite books in my collection is IDW’s signed collection of his work on The Incredible Hulk.
In my humble opinion, other than Herb Trimpe, no one else drew the Incredible Hulk like Sal Buscema. When the Hulk punched someone, in a Sal Buscema panel, you knew that they had been devastatingly punched.
But Sal could handle any character he was given, which, over the years, was many. Whether it be Captain America, Spider-Man, or Spider-Woman, he made everything he did look energetic, powerful, and, when it was required, emotional.
One only has to listen to those who worked with him to know how much his peers appreciated him. Check out this discussion about Sal Buscema with Tom DeFalco, J.M. DeMatteis, Roger Stern, and Danny Fingeroth from the good folks at the Spider-Man Crawlspace. Listening to this conversation, I am reminded again how much I would have loved to speak with Sal. From all accounts, he was a true gentleman in the comic business and a master of his craft. His absence will be deeply felt.
Take the Time to Visit with the Legends
Thinking about Sal’s passing is a reminder of how delicate life can be. You never know when someone you admire might be gone. Unfortunately, at my age (62), that is happening more and more often. That’s why, if you get the chance to meet one of these comic legends at your local comic-con, you should take it. Comic creators are some of the kindest and most approachable people you could meet, and I’m thankful for the conversations I’ve had with those who are no longer with us. This includes creators like Neal Adams and Jim Shooter, who were among those who shaped the comic book industry and paved the way for today’s writers and artists. As did the great Sal Buscema. RIP Sal.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
