BOSTON - Superman has finally soared into the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Comic book artist Al Plastino thought he had donated the 10 hand-drawn comic strips of Superman teaming up with John F. Kennedy decades ago, but the artwork somehow fell in the hands of a private owner.
In December, comic book publisher DC Entertainment bought the black-and-white artwork and donated it to the library.
Plastino died in November at the age of 91. His four children, grandchildren and wife attended the exhibit opening on Thursday.
“We are just thrilled that these came home to where they belong,” said his daughter MaryAnn Plastino Charles, who made the journey from Alabama.
The 1964 story called “Superman’s Mission for President Kennedy” was part of a White House initiative to promote the president’s national physical-fitness program.
The comic book was in production when Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963 and set aside until his successor, Lyndon Johnson, pressed for its publication. The published version said the story’s original artwork would be donated to the library, but that apparently never happened.
Plastino was upset when he discovered that the original copies were not in the library, said his son Fred, who was with him at a New York Comic Con event in October when he heard the news.
Fred Plastino said he wished his father could have seen the exhibit.
Front Section, Pages 5 on 03/21/2014