Mad Cave Studios has announced actor John Cusack will make his comics debut with Momo, a surreal graphic novel inspired by the life of legendary comedian Jackie Gleason. Featuring art by Ignacio Noé (Jeanne D’Arc, Helldorado), the book follows two criminals as they embark on a road trip to recover an ancient artifact for Gleason, who was purportedly interested in UFOs and the paranormal. It will be released on June 16, 2026.
Momo cover art by Ignacio NoéThe official synopsis elaborates on the plot, saying, “There are cosmic forces beyond imagination with a taste for chaos and vengeance, and so much more along their route. As their uneasy alliance unravels mile by mile in a world littered by blasted souls and nuclear secrets and Howard Johnson’s, betrayals bloom like roadside flowers. And the closer they get to Gleason’s hideaway, the more the lines blur between divine comedy and cosmic horror. Still, the mission cannot be put to a halt, and our wayward strangers, with the help of the most eclectic cast of characters you’ve ever seen — including occult actors and endlessly powerful mystical beings — must retrieve the artifact at all costs.”
Cusack, 59, claims the book was conceived when he and artist Damien Hirst “were researching the Chinese/North American narcotic drug routes of the early 1970s for a well-known restaurateur and art collector,” and stumbled on “the original classified documents” that Ignacio Noé “worked tirelessly” to “decode”. He adds, “I’m more than delighted to be working with the excellent people at Mad Cave — and have zero doubt this is the first of many creations to come.”
Noé states, “Working on this project with John has been a rare kind (and good kind) of challenge. His script doesn’t just tell a story; it provokes thought. It’s layered, tense, and deeply human. As an artist, that kind of material pushes you to dig deeper and match the intensity on the page. Our creative partnership has been built on trust and curiosity, and we are excited that it’s found a home at Mad Cave.”
Mad Cave publisher Chris Fernandez says, “When John first approached [our] editor-in-chief, Mike Marts, about debuting his first project in the medium with Mad Cave, needless to say, we were more than intrigued. When the project’s scope was first revealed to us, we knew it was unlike anything anyone was expecting. And when we learned that none other than Ignacio Noé was attached to illustrate, we were over the moon. I think I can speak for the whole team when I say that we are honored to have these two legends in their respective fields trust us with this unrelenting work. It’s an honest vision John has for this project, and there is no medium more honest than comics. In that sense, this is the perfect fit.”
Readers will be able to get a first look at the book at this week’s New York Comic Con, where Mad Cave will be present at Booth #4455. In the meantime, you can click here to find out what else the publisher has planned for the convention, and follow along with all our NYCC ’25 coverage at the link.
English (US) · 