Sal Buscema (born Silvio Buscema), one of the great craftsmen of American comic art, passed away on January 24, 2026, two days before his 90th birthday. A first-generation Sicilian American from Brooklyn, Sal was part of a wave of New York–based artists who helped define the visual language of Marvel Comics during its formative years.
He was the younger brother of the legendary John Buscema (1927–2002), and together they formed one of the most influential sibling pairs in comics history. While John was often celebrated for his grandeur and classical power, Sal’s work was marked by clarity, discipline, and an almost architectural command of sequential storytelling. His long runs—especially on The Spectacular Spider-Man—taught generations of readers how comics were meant to flow.
I read their comics as a kid and admired the work for many years. Looking back, it’s clear that what they shared was not just talent, but a seriousness about the craft.
Sal Buscema leaves behind a formidable body of work, defined by strength, discipline, and a mastery of visual composition that helped shape the medium itself. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
~ By Giovanni di Napoli
