Photographer/writer/creator Seth Kushner passed away yesterday after battling leukemia for a year. He is survived by his heroic wife, Terra, and his son Jackson and a host of friends whose lives he touched and enriched.

His struggle was well documented, not least by his own Facebook postings. His disease was not abated by a bone marrow transplant, but a secret, experimental treatment left him leukemia free and allowed him to live his last months at home with his family.

It’s a cliche to talk about fighting for life…but Seth’s fight enriched us all with his fierceness and commitment and reminded us all why we fight. I’m so glad I got to see him one last time at MoCCA just past, and he was planning projects and continuing to work. You can read a review of Secret Sauce #1 his MoCCA debut in the link. Seth did headshots for many comics folks, among them my husband, and they were more than just attractive photos—his eye was for the spirit below the surface. His photos for Leaping Tall Buildings, a book of profiles of comics creators, will surely remain the standard for capturing a certain era of cartoonists in iconic, distinctive images.

Seth was kind, sweet, decent, immensely talented, and one of the bravest people I’ve ever known. I am devastated to hear of his passing, but send my love to his family and his close friends who are surely more devastated. And I’m sure his family can still use some help for his medical bills.

Life is unfair and capricious, and that’s why every minute of it is precious. Good night, Seth. You will never be forgotten.



Above, a drawing of Seth by Molly Crabapple.