Comic Artist John Cassaday Named CCO of Humanoids

Humanoids has named veteran comic artist John Cassaday as its new chief creative officer, according to the The Hollywood Reporter.

“John Cassaday is one of the seminal artists of the comic book industry,” Humanoids CEO and Publisher Fabrice Giger told THR in a statement. “John created I Am Legion for Humanoids in 2004 and became part of the Humanoids family. From now on, he will play a major role in Humanoids’ original content development that will have the industry talking.”

Cassaday is perhaps best known in comics for his work on the Warren Ellis-penned Planetary, while the Europe-based Humanoids is most notably the publisher of the work of Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius. Humanoids has an NYCC panel set for Oct. 5, the description of which promises new announcements and “almost a dozen SURPRISE A-list creators from Humanoids past and present.” Cassaday is also now slated to attend.

Planetary and its excellence aside, Cassaday’s other credits in comics include an Eisner-winning stint as artist on Joss Wheedon’s much-loved Astonishing X-Men book, as well as work on a wider range of Marvel properties, from Captain America to Star Wars. In other media, Marvel has used Cassaday’s work in its animated films, while Cassaday has also directed on Wheedon’s Dollhouse TV show and been a concept artist on Zack Snyder’s Watchmen film adaptation.

As THR notes, Cassaday’s hiring would seem to indicate a push into the sweet sweet American comics market.

“This is the first time I’ve taken on an executive role at a company,” Cassaday told THR. “And that speaks to just how excited I am to be a part of a bold new chapter in their history. Fans who attend the New York Comic Con panel will be a part of it on day one.”