John Cassaday, the legendary co-creator of Planetary and the artist on groundbreaking and bestselling runs of Astonishing X-Men and Star Wars has died at 52. He was admitted to hospital in New York last week, and passed away yesterday, with his sister Robin K Cassaday breaking the news on social media. She wrote, "My little bro John passed away at 5:51pm Texas time. Please keep me and my mom in your prayers."
Mark Waid has posted a note to Facebook hailing his friend and colleague, describing him as "one of the very best illustrators and storytellers to ever work in the comics medium." Waid played an instrumental role in the young Cassaday's career by recommending him to writer Jeff Mariotte who was looking for an artist for his acclaimed weird west comic, Desperadoes.
