The Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce that legendary Marvel Comics artist, Sal Buscema, will be joining the guest list for the 14th annual show, taking place September 7-8, 2013. Buscema will be appearing at the show on Saturday only and will be receiving the HERO Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented at the Harvey Awards Banquet Saturday evening.

Sal Buscema got his start at Marvel Comics in 1968, joining his brother John who was already an established artist with the company. Cutting his teeth on such titles as Western Gunfighters, The Rawhide Kid, and The Silver Surfer, he got his big break in 1969 when he took over art duties for Marvel’s premiere superhero team, The Avengers.

During the course of his career, Buscema has drawn nearly every character in the Marvel Universe, including career-defining runs on Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Marvel Team-Up, and Thor. He even worked briefly for DC Comics from 1997-1999, drawing such characters as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

His 45-year career is being honored with the presentation of the Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award at the Harvey Awards Banquet. The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally-chartered non-profit organization dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need, and creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors those creators who have made lasting contributions with the world of sequential art throughout their careers.

"We are honored to be able to host Sal [Buscema] here in Baltimore," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "His career spans more than four decades, and he’s has been an influence to generations of comic artists. He is well-deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award and we couldn’t be happier to have it presented at the Harveys!"