John Cassaday, the renowned artist known for co-creating the influential comic “Planetary” and illustrating an award-winning “X-Men” series written by Joss Whedon for Marvel, has passed away at the age of 52. His sister, Robin Cassaday, announced his death on Facebook, revealing that he had been hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai West in New York since September 3. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Cassaday also illustrated the relaunch of “Star Wars,” which became the top-selling comic of 2015. Comics writer and editor Mark Waid remarked that Cassaday was a significant figure in the industry, comparing him to legendary artists like Neal Adams and Jim Steranko. Waid stated that Cassaday’s legacy would be remembered long after his passing.
Born in 1971, Cassaday was a self-taught artist and a graduate of a film school. He developed his skills while working in construction and directing local TV news in Texas until he presented his portfolio to Waid at a comic convention in the mid-1990s. This meeting led to job opportunities that allowed him to pursue his passion for drawing full time.
In the late 1990s, Cassaday collaborated with writer Warren Ellis on “Planetary,” which explored the superhero and pulp genres through a team of adventurer-archeologists. Although the comic faced delays due to Ellis’ health issues and Cassaday’s meticulous work ethic, it garnered a cult following and received several Eisner Award nominations.
Cassaday achieved commercial success with “Astonishing X-Men” in the mid-2000s, which played a crucial role in revitalizing the franchise. His cinematic artwork was a perfect match for Whedon’s storytelling, earning critical acclaim. The series won the Eisner Award for best comic in 2005 and 2006, with Cassaday receiving the accolade for best artist in 2005.
He contributed to various publishers, including “I Am Legion” for Humanoids, and continued working with Marvel on projects like a “Captain America” comic. Cassaday also ventured into Hollywood, serving as a concept artist for Zack Snyder’s 2009 adaptation of “Watchmen.”
After Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 and Marvel the following year, the “Star Wars” comics returned to Marvel. Cassaday was selected to illustrate the first story arc of the relaunch in 2015, leading to significant sales and marking the first time “Star Wars” comics were published by the company since the 1980s.
Marvel expressed its sorrow over Cassaday’s passing, describing him as a dear friend and comic book legend. They highlighted his artistry as a master class in emotion, action, and storytelling, affirming that he would always remain a part of the Marvel family.