John Cusack is preparing to promote his debut graphic novel, Momo, this summer, coinciding with its release in July from Mad Cave Studios. The project, created alongside Argentine artist Ignacio Noé and collaborator Damian Hirst, blends conspiracy theories, cosmic horror, and surreal storytelling. Cusack will spotlight the book through various late-night talk show appearances, making it his primary focus for the year.
Creative Origins and Development of Momo
The origins of Momo trace back to a 2010 commission by Damian Hirst’s company, Other Criteria, which tasked Ignacio Noé with producing a comic strip set in Bangkok bars and brothels. This narrative was inspired by Swiss art critic Hans Ulrich Obrist’s report about American painter Ashley Bickerton, incorporating visual elements like snakes and an opium den. Years later, the collaboration deepened when Hirst brought in a script by John Cusack, initially intended for an abandoned film, to be reimagined as a comic book set in the 1970s. The script, initially 150 pages, expanded to 190 pages through the creative process.
“Fourteen years later this saw another project between Noe and Hirst, this time with a character that resembled John Cusack, only for Hirst to reveal that the script was actually from Cusak, an abandoned movie script of his, now being reworked as a comic book, set in the seventies, with many famous cameos and jumping from a 150 comic-page script to 190 pages by the time it was finished. Cusack says that Noé worked tirelessly for many days and nights, and ‘decoded’ the original classified documents that came to my attention accidentally many years ago, when Damien Hirst and I were investigating the Chinese/American narcotic drug routes of the early 1970s for a well-known art restorer and collector…” and now we have Momo.
A Surreal Road Trip with Cosmic Stakes
Momo tells the story of two criminals on the run, a weary man and a mysterious young woman who refuses to reveal her name. Thrust together by fate, they embark on a strange mission to deliver a cryptic artifact to Jackie Gleason, the legendary TV icon rumored to have an interest in extraterrestrial phenomena. Their journey unfolds against a backdrop of a decaying American Dream, with encounters ranging from demon-possessed monsters to mystical beings with ancient secrets.
“Acclaimed actor John Cusack and artist Ignacio Noe bring you a road trip with world-ending cosmic stakes! Two criminals on the lam form an uneasy alliance to deliver a cryptic artifact to none other than Jackie Gleason—yes, that Jackie Gleason. Their road trip spirals into chaos when they’re confronted by demon-possessed monsters, occult actors, mystical beings with untold power, and buried secrets that lead to a crash course in ancient extraterrestrial tech. Between betrayal, confessions, and cosmic absurdity, they may just save the world—or doom it with a punchline.
“Two criminals are thrown together by fate–both running from their pasts–a weathered man and a mysterious young woman who refuses to give her name form an unlikely partnership and take on a mission that could tear reality apart as they make their way through the already decaying barren wasteland of the American Dream and everything it stands for. Their goal? Recover an ancient artifact for Jackie Gleason—yes, that Jackie Gleason, TV legend and rumored connoisseur of all things extraterrestrial. But this isn’t just a strange road trip. 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 with nuclear secrets and Howard Johnson’s, buried secrets claw to the surface. and 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. The team might manage to reach Jackie, but doing so could cost them their very lives. 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. It’s a wild fusion of a road trip, theological noir, and pulpy sci-fi absurdism from acclaimed actor John Cusack and artist Ignacio Noe!
Creative Team and Artistic Contributions
Ignacio Noé, known for his work in titles like The Convent of Hell and Helldorado, provided the art for Momo, while Taylor Esposito handled the lettering. Mark Irwin, Vice President of Mad Cave Studios, emphasized the project’s ambitious nature during the ComicsPRO retailers event, stating the graphic novel is a highly imaginative work that combines every conspiracy theory with surreal fantasy, highlighting the unique storytelling approach of Cusack and Noé.
It’s insane. Hunter S. Thompson has nothing on John Cusack. It’s pretty hard to describe other than every conspiracy theory coupled with every surrealistic fantasy you could ever imagine, all in one book, and John is going to be going on the Talk Show circuit, pushing this book. This is his entire focus for this whole year, and hopefully, we’ll have him as a guest at a couple of shows this year. Ignacio Noé, whom I think some of you may know, has been around for a long time. It’s probably the best work he’s ever done in his career—so we’re really excited about this book.
John Cusack’s Career and Artistic Evolution
John Cusack began his acting career in 1983 with the film Class, starring alongside Rob Lowe. He gained widespread recognition during the 1980s as part of the Brat Pack era, featuring in comedies such as Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, and One Crazy Summer. His breakout romantic role came in Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything, remembered for the iconic boombox scene. Cusack’s later career produced notable films like The Grifters, Grosse Pointe Blank (which he co-wrote), Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, and Con Air. His transition into graphic novels with Momo marks a new chapter in his creative work.
The Promise and Impact of Momo’s Release
With its July release aligned with San Diego Comic-Con events, Momo promises to capture the attention of both graphic novel enthusiasts and John Cusack fans. The blend of cosmic horror, political intrigue, and surrealism, combined with vivid artistry from Ignacio Noé, positions the book as a standout addition to Mad Cave Studios’ lineup. Cusack’s engagement in talk show promotion should increase visibility for the title, potentially elevating the graphic novel to a broader mainstream audience and setting a precedent for his future creative ventures.
