Cartoonist and Photographer Seth Kushner Has Passed Away

Kushner, a member of the New York-based Act-I-Vate comics collective, has been battling leukemia for years — a very public fight, in some cases, as he had turned to crowdfunding to help generate some of the money for treatment. Following a terminal prognosis, he went into a brief, surprising remission back in February.

Seth Kushner’s photography has appeared in such magazines as The New York Times Magazine, BusinessWeek, Newsweek, Time, L’Uomo Vogue, and in galleries around the world.

He also wrote or co-wrote a pair of acclaimed books — The Brooklynites and Leaping Tall Buildings: The Origins of American Comics, in addition to his long-running autobiographical webcomic Schmuck, which he wrote and published first online and then in print with a rotating cast of artists.

Last month, Kushner and George Folz released the first issue of their comic The Roman Nose to comiXology.

Dozens of comics fans and creators have already started to mourn Kushner and celebrate his life and work on social media, including Christina Blanch, Jimmy Palmiotti, Molly Crabapple, Chris Ryall, Mike Dawson and more. Kushner’s Facebook page is overwhelmed with tributes from friends, family and fans alike.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Seth Kushner. This story will be updated if we’re made aware of plans to celebrate Kushner’s life, donation information or other details.