Big Question with John Cassaday: 5-25-04
with John Cassaday
Big Questions with Troy Brownfield
We’ve had a few repeat guests here at the Big Question, but few have been as appropriately timed. John Cassaday, who has proven himself over the years to be a remarkable and vastly talented artist, takes on what is arguably his largest gig ever as the first issue of the new ongoing title, Astonishing X-Men, debuts.
His partner on the book has had a tiny bit of press lately regarding other ventures. That would be uber-screenwriter Joss Whedon, whose superlative series Angel just wrapped. The prospect of a Cassaday and Whedon team up on the most popular comic book heroes of all time has generated a palpable level of excitement in fan circles. Clearly, this is BIG NEWS.
Even as a groundswell of press erupts and fans snatch up a line-wide reboot of the X-titles (featuring other fan favorites like Chris Claremont and Alan Davis), Cassaday’s work continues to be seen in the never-disappointing Planetary and in the forthcoming project (by way of Europe), I Am Legion.
So now, let’s take a few with the man that Warren Ellis calls “an illustration god” . . . a man who Keifer Sutherland has been alleged to call “one good-looking motherfucker”, and a man who my wife is always looking for (whether she thinks I know she is or not) every year at Wizard World Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome . . . John Cassaday.
THE BIG Q&A
Q1. Before we get into the bigness of X, I have to cover a couple of other projects and outstanding questions. First off, please let our readers know about your contribution on I Am Legion?.
A1. I AM LEGION is a 54 page book that was published in May in France by Humanoids and will see hit the American shops in August from DC. It’s a supernatural thriller that spans all over Europe during World War 2. Written by a very cool French screenwriter named Fabien Nury, it’s a three book story that I couldn’t say no to being a part of.
Q2. You worked on the Marvel Knights relaunch of Captain America. Did you have any idea how controversial some aspects of the series would be at the time, and how do you feel about that in retrospect?
A2. I was traveling in Europe when it was released, our military was already sweating through Afghanistan, and the book got the full range of responses in Europe and back home. Many Europeans felt it was easily labeled right-wing propaganda, then I’d get the responses from people in the states that seemed to come out of nowhere on the other side of the argument. In fact, film reviewer, Michael Medved, wrote a review on it. He claimed our Captain America was a “traitor” and sympathetic to the terrorists! There was no winning! But I loved that about it. We produced a book that affected people and had them talking. Maybe the times were still too volatile, but I couldn’t be happier with the results. It’s one of the books I’m proudest of. I get tons of fans telling me that they started reading Cap again because of our run and that it’s their favorite. Cap was and is my favorite superhero because there is something very relevant and timely about him. And that was the point.
Q3. By now the end is in sight on Planetary. Has a final date been set, and what’s your take on the whole experience as it winds down?
A3. It’ll end around #27 or 28. It depends on how much space we need to end it properly. It does have a definitive ending, but that isn’t exactly gonna happen next month, y’know? When the time comes, I imagine I’ll be numb about the whole thing. I love the book, but we’ve been at it a long time. I do know I’ll be happy to have it finished, but I’ll miss it too. I’m a lucky bastard to have been a part of it.
Q4. You’re taking a low-profile, low-pressure gig by joining the X-family with Astonishing X-Men. Okay, not really. I’m tempted to ask, “Do you have any idea what you’re getting into?”, but instead I’ll ask, “How did you get involved?”
A4. Joss and I had been talking about getting a project together for some time. We both lacked in the time department. I was busy on Planetary, Captain America, etc.. and Joss was doing his three TV shows. At San Diego last summer, Joe Quesada was pitching me something… I had to say no, but before the conversation was over, I made a vague mention that I’d probably wanna give X-Men a shot at some point down the road. I didn’t mean this year or any time soon, just at some point… I was completely unaware that Joe had talked to Joss about X-Men that very day. He was also aware that Joss and I knew each other and intended to work together, so Joe ran with the ball and we met up a couple of weeks later in Chicago to talk. He pitched me the idea, Joss had semi-committed, other details came around, we both signed the papers and here we are.
Q5. You’ve got a hand in redesigning some of the most popular characters in comics history. Where does one even begin with that?
A5. With the X-Men, it’s understood that they are going to evolve (no pun). They are constantly changing, they always have and that’s something very real about them that I like. With the new designs, I’ve tried to get to the essence of what they were to begin with. I threw away the leather from the recent run and all the pointless pouches and straps from the 90’s and stripped down the look. They’re superheroes, not S.H.I.E.L.D. agents… I love it. Designing these characters I’ve known for so long is a thrill.
Q6. Two words: Joss Whedon. What’s it like to work with a writer that’s obviously such a wellspring of ideas?
A6. He’s a cool dude. We became friends a couple of years ago because he’s a big supporter of Planetary. We had dinner, I went to LA and visited his Firefly sets and we started talking about getting a project of our own off the ground, but the timing, up to now, never worked out. X-Men made us get it together. It seemed important somehow. It was a chance I knew I’d regret if I refused. Early on, before we had even officially signed up, we went through what the book was going to be about and, just as importantly, what it was NOT going to be about. And though good screenwriters don’t necessarily translate into good comic writers, Joss is a jack of many trades. One element that I think makes a difference in his case is that he’s also a director and understands the visual half of the story. He’s a smartass too, which I’d know a thing or two about…
Q7. As of this writing, how far ahead of the game are you fellas in terms of scripting and art?
A7. I’m on a good schedule and Joss is kicking ass. We’re both committed to making this just what it should be.
Q8. Pitch time: What would you say to the unlikely fan that’s never read an X-book that would make them give your book a try?
A8. That they CAN read the book without getting confused. It’s a book that hard-core fans, who never miss an issue, will dig, as well as any newcomers. Making the book accessible was important to Joss and myself from the beginning.
Q9. Related question: What’s the one thing you want fans to get out of your run?
A9. To be remembered as a book that combined the fun and wonder of classic runs of X-Men with the intelligence and sophistication of today’s best comics. That’s the best we could hope for.
Q10. Any other plans down the road that you can let us in on?
A10. ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY and I AM LEGION will all hit this summer. Beyond that, a little sleep and a few nights out would do me well.
Q11. Obligatory Fanboy Question: Who wins in a fight, Jakita Wagner or Buffy? (My apologies; couldn’t help it.)
A11. Jakita’s not a vampire, so let’s pretend it won’t happen. And that you didn’t ask.
Let’s all give a big “thank you” to Mr. Cassaday for taking time out what’s a huge and busy summer to answer our questions. Make sure to check out his site, and the other projects he’s got coming out in the next few months. If you’ve never read Planetary, please do yourself a favor and do so. You’ll be a better person for it. Track down all of the revamped X-books that drop this month at Marvel.com.
As always, if you have someone that you’d like to suggest for a Big Question, let Troy know at psikotyk@aol.com.
