Mad Cave Studios has announced that actor John Cusack will make his comic debut with Momo, a surreal graphic novel inspired by the life of legendary comedian Jackie Gleeson. Featuring art by Ignacio Noé (Jeanne Arc and Heldorado), the book follows two criminals on a road trip to retrieve ancient artefacts for Gleason, who is allegedly interested in UFOs and paranormal events. It is scheduled to be released on June 16th, 2026.
Momo cover art: Ignacio Noé
The official synopsis explains, “On their routes there are more than one imagination cosmic forces that like chaos and revenge. In a world filled with exploding souls, nuclear secrets, and Howard Johnson’s secrets, betrayal blossoms like roadside flowers as their unsettling alliances unravel together. And the closer you get to Gleeson’s hideaway, the blurred line between the sacred comedies becomes.” And cosmic fear. Still, we can’t stop the mission, and our selfish strangers must recover artifacts at any cost, with the help of a cast of the most eclectic characters we have ever seen, including occult actors and infinitely powerful mystical beings. ”
Cusack, 59, claims the book came up with when he and artist Damien Hearst were “investigating the Chinese/North American drug routes in the early 1970s for a well-known restaurateur and art collector,” when Ignacio Noe accidentally found an “original of a confidential document” that he had “worked vigorously” to “decipher.” He added: “I am extremely pleased to work with the talented people at Mad Cave, and there is absolutely no doubt that this is the first of many pieces to come.”
Noe said, “Working on this project with John was a rare kind of (and a good kind of) challenge. His scripts not only tell the story, but also evoke thoughts. It’s hierarchical, tense, and deep human. As an artist, that kind of material encourages you to dig deeper and match it with the intensity on the page. Our creative partnership is built on trust and curiosity, and I’m excited to find its home base at Mad Cave.”
Mad Cave publisher Chris Fernandez said, “It goes without saying that when John consulted editor-in-chief Mike Martz about his first debut in this media with Mad Cave, we were extremely intrigued. When the scope of the project was first revealed to us, we knew it was different from what no one had expected. And when we learned that none other Ignacio Noe would be in charge of the illustrations, I think I can speak.” The whole team said it was an honor to have these two legends in their respective fields take on this tireless task. This is the honest vision that John has for this project, and there is no medium as honest as the comics. In that sense, this is perfect. ”
Readers can see the book for the first time at this week’s New York Comic-Con, where Mad Cave will be exhibiting at booth #4455. In the meantime, click here to see what else the publishers are planning for the convention and follow all NYCC ’25 articles with the link.
Like this:
As if loading…
