The Sullivan Institute of Narrative & Adjacent Art :: Art & Artifact: Produced for Publication 20/21c

Planetary #22 Page 12

Artists: John Cassaday (Penciller) , John Cassaday (Inker) , Warren Ellis (Writer)

6 Comments - 261 Views - 16 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Planetary #22 Page 12
Artist:	John Cassaday (Penciller)
Artist:	John Cassaday (Inker)
Artist:	Warren Ellis (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	Snowflake's chance....
Views:	261
Likes on CAF:	16 17
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	10/10/2024
Comic Art Archive:	Planetary Issue: 22 Page: 12 View

Description

Planetary is one of my top five comic series of all-time. There are many reasons for that, but one of those reasons is the late John Cassaday.

That series was my introduction to Cassaday and I was blown away. The nature of the series meant that he had to tackle almost any genre in any given issue, and he did so with aplomb. From Steranko-ish spy-fy to Honk Kong cop movies to the gamut of the Vertigo line, he both captured it and made it his own.

Since deciding to curate a collection of narrative art meaningful to me, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a Planetary page that spoke to me. Many of these had been claimed long ago, and the ones that do become available (and in my budget) didn’t stand on their own that well (nor do they need to, they serve the overall story). I don’t mind a talking heads page, in fact I might even prefer them, but in the era of digital lettering, they have lost some luster. Those, however, are frequently the pages that would feature the members of Planetary the most.

With Cassaday’s tragic passing, far too young, I let go of many of the restrictions I placed upon myself and found this page. It speaks to me, and I believe it spoke to John as well.

Cassaday was one of the early adopters of digital tools in comic art, but in a hybridized form. He was known to work very closely with colorists, like Laura DuPuy Martin, to realize his vision. Sometimes it resulted in pages with blank panels, patched in later, or backgrounds rooted in color. The end result was inarguably impressive. This page, however, he put a lot of it down in ink (and not a stroke that doesn't serve the image). Without color, it feels complete.

He certainly had a facility with (if not passion for) the western genre. Desperadoes and his work on Firefly and, yes, Star Wars bely a love of the genre. More than that, The Lone Ranger (as seen in homage here), was a favorite character and dream project for him. That makes this page special to me as it represents both a series I regard as one of the best in its era (and should be talked about much more) and it represents his career very well indeed. Knowing that it was his work on this issue that got him the Lone Ranger gig, it stands out to me that much more (Thanks to Nick Barrucci for the background on that). I think he was really feeling this sequence, if not this issue, more than usual.

It’s also an excellent example of the widescreen storytelling style that he and Bryan Hitch (both in collaboration with Warren Ellis) pioneered and popularized at the turn of the century.

More than that, just as the art feels complete, so too does the story of this page. With only the strokes of John’s pen, you know that this “gentleman” is someone of questionable character at best and a villain at worst, trying to escape a vengeful justice he most surely deserves, but that justice finds him and is done.

Cassaday has left a valued and indelible mark on comic art that will not be forgotten and I’m very pleased to be able to add this piece to my collection.

And he could draw a horse.

John Cassaday
1971-2024
11.5" x 17"
Ink on Bristol
(DC stock verso)

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About the Owner

	Michael Sullivan
Joined:	August 2021
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.redrighthand.net
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Michael's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Simon Ma
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 10/10/2024

Beautifully put. As is often said on CAF, a page has found its rightful home. Congrats.

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 10/10/2024

A beautiful, cinematic piece of storytelling! I've never read the series, because in spite of having been told it was great by so many people, I'm not a Science Fiction fan. But now that I see this page and having read your description, I'm far more intrigued in the idea that multiple different genres made up parts of the series. A great looking page an an even better write up, Michael. Congrats!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 10/11/2024

Awesome! Look how Cassaday swings the camera at angles to build even more tension to the chase scene that turns into POV shots that put us right into the action. Probably his favorite genre from what everyone told us about his upbringing in Texas.

Timothy Guerrero
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 10/11/2024

A talent taken from us too soon! Planetary is a favorite title of mine too.

Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 10/12/2024

Such a beautiful page, and an incredible tribue Michael.

ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 5/3/2025

The page layout does truly make this page speak to a reader. Planetary made refernce to do many great heroes from the early 1900s, it was a treat to see them. One of my favorite stores and time to reread the series again. What a wonderful addition to your collection.

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