John Cassaday, celebrated artist and co-creator of the groundbreaking comic Planetary, has passed away at the age of 52. His sister, Robin Cassaday, shared the news of his death on Facebook, revealing that he had been in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai West in New York since September 3. The specific cause of death was not disclosed.
Cassaday was known for his work on the comic relaunch of Star Wars, which became the best-selling comic of 2015, in addition to his award-winning run on X-Men, written by Joss Whedon for Marvel.
Comics writer and editor Mark Waid praised Cassaday, comparing him to influential artists like Neal Adams and Jim Steranko. Waid remarked that Cassaday’s legacy will be remembered across the comic industry for years to come.
Born in 1971, Cassaday was a self-taught artist and a graduate of film school. He honed his craft while working in construction and as a local TV news director in Texas. His career took off when he showed his portfolio to Waid at a comic convention in the mid-1990s, leading to lucrative illustration opportunities that allowed him to pursue art full-time.
In the late 1990s, Cassaday collaborated with writer Warren Ellis on Planetary, a comic series that examined superhero and pulp hero genres through the adventures of a team of archeologists tracking superpowered events globally. The comic’s exploration of comic tropes, despite delays due to Ellison’s health and Cassaday’s pursuit of perfection, gained a dedicated fanbase and multiple Eisner Award nominations.
Cassaday achieved significant commercial success with his 25-issue run on Astonishing X-Men, which revitalized the franchise and garnered critical acclaim, including Eisner Awards for best comic and best artist.
Throughout his career, Cassaday worked on various titles for multiple publishers, including I Am Legion and Captain America, and served as a concept artist for Zack Snyder’s Watchmen adaptation.
In 2012, when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and Marvel, Cassaday was selected to draw the first story arc of Marvel’s relaunch of Star Wars comics, a move that skyrocketed sales and made the title the top-selling comic of that year.
Marvel expressed their sorrow over Cassaday’s passing, acknowledging his incredible talent and emotional depth in his art, stating he would always remain a vital part of the Marvel family.