San Francisco, CA: The Cartoon Art Museum is proud to announce its third biennial Tribute Auction, The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens, featuring original art in homage to the late Dave Stevens and his beloved comic book character The Rocketeer. 

This all-star tribute has been launched with the support of Dave Stevens's sister, Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum, and The Rocketeer Trust, which oversees Stevens's archives and his creative legacy. To celebrate Stevens and The Rocketeer, the Cartoon Art Museum has invited several of our favorite cartoonists, animators, and illustrators to create new, original artwork inspired by the artistry of Dave Stevens. This artwork will be sold through an ongoing series of online auctions commencing on Labor Day, May 29, 2023, and running throughout the spring and summer months. The auction will support the Cartoon Art Museum's public programs and exhibitions, and twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation in honor of Dave Stevens.

The artwork created for this tribute auction will be displayed at the Cartoon Art Museum from June 11 to September 3, 2023, and will be followed by an exhibition of Dave Stevens's original artwork, courtesy of Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum and The Rocketeer Trust. "It is very exciting to have an exhibition at the Cartoon Art Museum honoring Dave’s art legacy, spanning from Saturday morning cartoon art to comic and pin-up art,” says Jennifer Stevens-Bawcum. “I appreciate the Museum's desire to pay tribute to his Rocketeer comic book creation with the auction and exhibition."

The Rocketeer: A Tribute to Dave Stevens will include brand-new original artwork from many top cartoonists who have been inspired by Stevens and his artwork. Featured artists include Brent Anderson (Astro City, X-Men) Harry Bliss (The New Yorker), Gemma Correll (The Nib, City Island), Stuart Immonen (Superman), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Steve Purcell (Sam and Max, Pixar's BRAVE) , Ryan Sook (Legion of Superheroes) and more to be announced.

The online auctions will launch on eBay on May 29, under the user account cartoonartmuseum, at the following link: https://www.ebay.com/usr/cartoonartmuseum New auction items will be added weekly. Preview pieces for the auction may be viewed at our Comic Art Fans page.

"Dave Stevens was a visionary, and he continues to inspire us more than 40 years after the publication of the first Rocketeer adventure and more than fifteen years after his untimely passing," observes Cartoon Art Museum Executive Director Summerlea Kashar. "We are truly honored to pay tribute to Stevens and his artistry, and are thankful to his sister, the Rocketeer Trust, and all of the generous artists who are contributing their time and talent in support of the Cartoon Art Museum and the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation."

Exhibition and catalog
This fall, the Cartoon Art Museum will publish a full color exhibition catalog featuring the original artwork of Dave Stevens as well as a selection of the artwork created for this auction. Details regarding this publication will be announced soon.