Superman Artist Al Plastino’s Drawing Table Will Raise Money For St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

By George Mcgregor Last updated Oct 3, 2025

Artist Al Plastino — Al Plastino, one of DC Comics’ most influential artists, sits at his drawing desk surrounded by his comic artwork. Best known for shaping Superman’s classic look during the height of the Man of Steel’s popularity from the late 1940s through the 1960s, Plastino also co-created Supergirl, Brainiac, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. His career spanned decades until his retirement in 1989. Plastino passed away in 2013 at the age of 91, leaving behind a lasting legacy in comic book history. Image credit: Lekas & Levine PR

NEW YORK, NY – Al Plastino was the hand behind Superman’s classic look during the height of the Man of Steel’s comic book popularity from the late ‘40s through the ‘60s. By the end of his illustrious career, Plastino’s contributions to DC history included credits as the co-creator of Supergirl and the villainous Brainiac, as well as the teen-age Legion of Super-Heroes. He retired in 1989 and died in 2013 at age 91.

The drawing table that Plastino kept in his studio – at which he produced much of his celebrated output – will be on hand at New York Comic Con Oct. 9-12 at the Javits Center in midtown Manhattan. And this remarkable pop culture artifact will be helping to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, explains Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, the premier online auction site for comics and pop culture collectibles.

The well-worn wooden drawing table and chair once used by legendary DC Comics artist Al Plastino, where he created much of his iconic Superman work, will be displayed at New York Comic Con from October 9–12 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. This historic piece of pop culture will also help raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as announced by Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect. Image credit: Lekas & Levine PR

During NYCC, contemporary comic book artists will be invited to sit at Plastino’s table and create original artwork.

NYCC always brings in an amazing array of comic artists, with many of these big names agreeing to pay homage to Al by working at his drawing table,” Zurzolo says. “These top talents will be producing original art throughout the convention.”

The pieces will then be sold during ComicConnect’s Event Auction 64, with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s. The drawing table itself and matching chair are also being featured in the online auction, which kicks off Nov. 17.

With its heavy, cast iron base and its wooden surface marked from decades of use, this drawing table carries the weight of the years of use and the hundred of pages produced on it, and the characters who were first brought to life under Plastino’s pen,” Zurzolo says.

Plastino and his collaborators drew hundreds of pages for DC Comics. He was also a prolific comic strip artist of such titles as Nancy, Batman and Robin, and Superman. But the piece he was most proud of was for a Superman story in which the Man of Steel visits President John F. Kennedy in the White House and reveals his secret identity. The story was in partnership with the administration, which was promoting the president’s physical fitness program.

Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, holds a graded copy of The Addiction comic. As head of the premier online auction site for comics and pop culture collectibles, Zurzolo announced that this artifact—along with other iconic items—will help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. — Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, holds a graded copy of *The Addiction* comic. As head of the premier online auction site for comics and pop culture collectibles, Zurzolo announced that this artifact—along with other iconic items—will help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Image credit: Lekas & Levine PR

Kennedy was assassinated before the story could be published. The next administration, under Lyndon B. Johnson, encouraged DC to release the story, and Plastino created a new image in the president’s honor. The Kennedy Library archives the original.

Al Plastino’s name is legendary among comic book fans,” Zurzolo says. “We’re proud to be able to show his drawing table at NYCC while raising money for St. Jude’s.”

Zurzolo and top ComicConnect staffers will be in Booth 3535 at New York Comic Con. The Al Plastino St. Jude’s Charity Sketch-a-thon will run throughout NYCC, Oct. 9-11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ComicConnect is accepting consignments for Event Auction 64 . Call 212-260-4147 or 888-779-7377.