Metro

Dying comic artist wants to uncover owner of JFK art

A dying comic book artist is asking a Manhattan court to uncloak the anonymous owner of his historic masterpiece depicting “Superman’s Mission for President Kennedy.”

Long Island artist Al Plastino, 91, was shocked when he stumbled on his beloved artwork at the New York Comic Con recently, as he believed his original drawings published soon after JFK’s assassination had been donated to the late president’s memorial library.

He believes the originals were stolen before being delivered to Harvard, according to his Manhattan civil suit filed Tuesday.

The artwork was scheduled for sale by Heritage Auctions at a starting bid of $200,000 on Nov. 21, 22 and 23 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy assassination.

But the sale was indefinitely put on hold following bad press.

Now Plastino, who was recently hospitalized for prostrate cancer, wants to know the identity of the private collector who purchased the iconic ten pages for $5,000 from Sotheby’s in 1993.

“It would really mean a tremendous amount to him to have the artwork back in his hands as soon as possible so he can arrange for it to be on display,” his pro bono attorney, Dale Cendali, told the Post.

Plastino has asked the court to expedite his case because of his illness.

Cendali said Plastino is eager for the return of the drawings so he can arrange to have them tour between Harvard and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Texas that chronicles the assassination.

The comic book had been scheduled for print in November 1963, but was quickly pulled when the president was shot.

“It combines distinctive images of both the ‘Superman’ character and the late President John F. Kennedy in a promotional work supporting President Kennedy’s national physical fitness program,” Plastino’s Manhattan Supreme Court suit says.

The work was later published with the support of the White House, with the legend, “The original art for this story will be donated to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at Harvard University.”

Plastino assumed his bosses had complied with the dedication and only learned 50 years later that the museum never received the gift.

“Al was absolutely devastated to say it was in private hands,” Cendali said.

“What we’re really hoping in whoever has this will come forward and do the right thing and return it.”

A rep for Heritage did not immediately return messages seeking comment. In October the auction house said that it had no reason to believe its client was not the rightful owner of the work.