Captain America #255 Page #9 by John Byrne - In Memory of John Cassaday
Artists: John Byrne (All) , Roger Stern (Writer)
23 Comments - 553 Views - 22 Likes
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionThis is the hardest piece of art I've ever had to post. I've had it since September, but didn't have the heart to post it and you'll see why below if you read it all. I have a story behind this. It's long, so long that the second part goes to the first comment, and it's 10 years old and through a bad time, I'm not going to hit everything, but the general story.In 2015, I was grabbing a bite with John (Cassaday) at Keen's, one of John's favorite restaurants, and I was showing him some John Byrne art I picked up from Captain America #255. I had picked up 8 pages from a collector though they had not arrived yet, but I had j-pegs on my computer. So I showed John. I told him how this was my single favorite issue of Captain America. John then stated that this was his all time favorite comic. It came out when he was about 9 years old, and it was the 40th Anniversary issue. And he told me how much page #9 meant to him. It's the page where he puts the costume on. It shows the Red Skull. Since it meant so much to him, it seemed like I had to give it to him. He knew we were doing the New Jersey Comic Expo in a few days, and said he would do the show and sign at our booth. Keep in mind, it was a few days before the show, so we couldn't promote it too much, but having John there would just be awesome. All is coming together well, right? Far from it. The package arrived a few days later. I think it was the Wednesday before the convention. Guess what. Page #9 was not in there. I emailed the collector, and he said that he accidentally sent the wrong j-peg. He meant to add in the jpeg to #19. Argh. It was a mistake, but argh. Shit, what do I do now? He didn't know where the missing page was. I believed him because he was a good guy, but again, shit, what do I do now? And then it gets worse. And this is now the Thursday before the show if I remember correctly. The day before the show, my assistant Patricia passed away. The morning started normal, but Patricia hadn't come to the office. We called her home phone a few times and she did not pick up. This was not normal. We all got worried. We called her one brother, and he called his other brother. And we called the police. Denise drove to Patricia's house, and we called the police, and Denise, Patricia's brothers and the Police showed up at the same time. Patricia's car was in the driveaway. Her brothers gave the police permission to breakdown the door. The odd thing is you can take the molding around a door off and it helps you break it easier. They went inside, Patricia was on the floor and had passed away in the night. I was heartbroken. Patricia has worked for me for quite a bit. She had worked for me from around 1997/98 to 2003, and then took time off, and then came back in around 2006. She knew my father and his tailor store from before working for me. She was family. And she was no longer with us. Everyone at Dynamite's hearts were broken, and I can't even imagine what her mother and brothers went through. So, it was a terrible day. I couldn't think straight with Patty's passing. But I had to call John and tell him about the page, and that I would be going up Saturday morning instead of Friday because my head wasn't straight. So I called him and told him that the page wasn't there and told him the situation, and he could have any other page that he wanted, or if he wanted more than one page, it wouldn't be a problem. And I said that he didn't need to come to the convention. John being the great guy that he was, said that he would do the show, and we could figure out the page later, but he really wanted that page. #9. That was the page. So I'm going to go back to I couldn't think straight. Saturday I went to the show, and people who knew Patricia were very kind and giving me their condolences. In between things, I went to every art dealer site to see if anyone had the page #9. A needle in a haystack. And after going to multiple dealer sites, and looking through CAF, you won't believe this, Mike Burkey had it on his site. I called Mike to set it aside for me and asked where he got it. He said he just got it the week before from a collector in Spain. Wow. So on Sunday I got to tell John that I found the page. It would be a week or so before I got it since I had to send the money in. It was a roller coaster of a few days, but I got John the page. I didn't think that would happen. After this I told John that in my will since I expected to pass before him since John is younger than me, that I was leaving him page #8 to go with #9, and also page #19 since that is a fun page. He kidded saying the same. The story continues in the first comment as we ran out of room here. Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor 
Member Since 2015
7 - Posted on 6/1/2025
After John passed in September, I went to NYC to help Tara organize things and discuss and prep the memorial for John at NYCC. I was trying to work with Marvel and DC so that there would be only one memorial instead of three memorials. I had spoken with them separately, and then while there, CB at Marvel had sent Marie at DC an email and cc'ing me to confirm that we were all doing one event. It was nice that we were all working together. It was the industry coming together. I wasn't even thinking of the Captain America page. First thing that Tara did when I walked in was to hand me the page and say "John wanted you to have this." Fuck. A flood of memories hit me. Holding it was holding John.
Like I said, this was the hardest page I've ever had to post. I tried to post it in December on John's Birthday, but that felt crappy. I tried to do it a few times this year. But couldn't do it. I tried to do it on my birthday, but couldn't. I wanted to do it on Memorial Day, because it's Captain America, and fitting, but couldn't. To a degree, Ruben did a show that he talked about people willing art to each other, and that pushed me a little. So, finally doing it. To a degree, it helps bring a different closure to me.
Thanks for reading if you made it here. And thank you John. I miss you.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 6/1/2025
Inspiring backstory as to why John Cassaday was destined to draw Captain America when the industry needed Cap the most. It's like he took the baton (page) from Byrne to run with it.
Jordan Joanou
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 6/1/2025
Thank you for sharing this page and how meaningful it is. Our hobby is fulfilling on so many levels.
Jean-Paul Gabilliet
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 6/1/2025
Beautiful original art is even more beautiful when it is attached to a beautiful personal story, even a sad one. All the very best to you, Nick.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 6/1/2025
As has often happened here previously, as great as this page is, the very poignant and personal story that comes with it is even better. Thanks for sharing it, Nick, I know it's never easy to write these stories down, though in some ways it can be cathartic, so hopefully it was for you in this case. Thanks for sharing it.
Corey Rust
Member Since 2023
Posted on 6/1/2025
Great back story for the true meaning of this page to you and John.
Glad you had such wonderful friends, even though some are gone. Cherish those memories
Mister Miracle
Member Since 2021
Posted on 6/1/2025
Thanks for sharing Nick! So many times its the story behind getting the piece that has just as much (or even more!) worth than the piece itself.
Steve Lipsky
Member Since 2008
Posted on 6/1/2025
Thank you for posting this, Nick. An honorable and fitting trbute to a great artist gone too soon. Let's all raise a glass today. To John Cassaday, artist, creator and friend--to all of us.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
Posted on 6/1/2025
The art is great, and the story is beautiful (albeit heartbreaking), life finds a way to come full circle when we least expect it. Thanks for sharing Nick.
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
Posted on 6/1/2025
Stunning page, and heartfelt story that will always be a part of its legacy.
Steve Gumm
Member Since 2004
Posted on 6/1/2025
Thanks for taking the time to relate the story of this piece... a lot of emotions tied up in this memorable page from John's great Cap run.
Simon Ma
Member Since 2013
Posted on 6/1/2025
I recently heard on Instagram someone saying that we don’t see through our eyes only but also through a prism of accumulated experiences. I can look at the above page and appreciate it on an aesthetic level – the Stern/Byrne run is also my favourite version of Cap – but you can also eloquently articulate its personal significance for you. I think most if not all of us can relate to that: a page we have’s value is not based on its financial worth but its deeper meaning particular to us alone. Thank you for posting your artwork (I am sure I am not the only fan who enjoys seeing OA from that classic collaboration) and also for sharing your gripping and also gently moving narrative.
Anthony T
Member Since 2009
Posted on 6/1/2025
Great page and a very nice heartfelt story about John.
George H
Member Since 2009
Posted on 6/1/2025
Wow, thanks for sharing Nick. A great reminder that sometimes art is more than a piece of art and can carry wonderful memories of life and people in our lives.
Michael Lovitz
Member Since 2003
Posted on 6/2/2025
Thanks for sharing such a touching story about a wonderful friendship. He certainly is missed.
Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020
Posted on 6/2/2025
Heartfelt story that adds to the rich history of the page and the creators behind the legend.
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| Robert Webb and David Heames Classic Comics #25 - |
Auctions
 |
STEVE DITKO AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MARVEL MASTERWORK PIN-UP ORIGINAL ART (SOLD FOR $590K) |
Auctions
 |
John Byrne - Iron Fist #11, Page 17 |
Hakes Auctions
 |
JUDGE DREDD - 2000 AD PROG 197 COMIC MAGAZINE COVER ORIGINAL ART BY BRIAN BOLLAND. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Albert Moy
3 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Peter Venkman9/7/2025 8:47:00 AM |
|
* HoxtonArcade9/7/2025 6:48:00 AM |
|
Rene Dorenbos9/7/2025 5:28:00 AM |
|
David H9/6/2025 9:51:00 PM |
|
Rugrat Spawn9/6/2025 5:47:00 PM |
|
Chris Dietzel9/6/2025 3:38:00 PM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
RomitaMan Original Art9/7/2025 2:23:00 AM |
|
NSN Art9/7/2025 12:01:00 AM |
|
TDArt Gallery9/6/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/6/2025 3:57:00 PM |
|
Coollines Artwork9/6/2025 3:28:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/6/2025 12:52:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|