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Momo
Acclaimed actor John Cusack and celebrated international artist Ignacio Noé deliver a wild, genre-bending road trip with cosmic stakes.
Acclaimed actor John Cusack and celebrated international artist Ignacio Noé deliver a wild, genre-bending road trip with cosmic stakes. Two fugitives form an uneasy alliance on a mission tied to none other than Jackie Gleason—yes, that Jackie Gleason—and quickly find themselves in way over their heads. What follows is a surreal collision of pulp sci-fi, occult mystery, and dark humor, packed with bizarre encounters, buried secrets, and forces far beyond their control. As reality starts to crack and loyalties fray, one thing becomes this trip could save the world… or end it in spectacular fashion.
Acclaimed actor John Cusack and celebrated international artist Ignacio Noé deliver a wild, genre-bending road trip with cosmic stakes. Two fugitives form an uneasy alliance on a mission tied to none other than Jackie Gleason—yes, that Jackie Gleason—and quickly find themselves in way over their heads. What follows is a surreal collision of pulp sci-fi, occult mystery, and dark humor, packed with bizarre encounters, buried secrets, and forces far beyond their control. As reality starts to crack and loyalties fray, one thing becomes this trip could save the world… or end it in spectacular fashion.
Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
John Cusack
9 books28 followersJohn Cusack is an actor, producer, screenwriter and political activist. He gained fame in the 1980s for his starring roles in movies such as "Say Anything" and maintained his popularity in the following decade while creating his own production company.
After the turn of the century Cusack increased his political outspokenness and began writing blogs for publications such as the Huffington Post. After meeting Edward Snowden in Moscow, the conversations were converted into the book "Things That Can and Cannot Be Said."
After the turn of the century Cusack increased his political outspokenness and began writing blogs for publications such as the Huffington Post. After meeting Edward Snowden in Moscow, the conversations were converted into the book "Things That Can and Cannot Be Said."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love John Cusack. He's in some of my favorite movies and even worked on the screenplays for two of my favs, Gross Pointe Blank and High Fidelity. And this book reads like it may have originally been a screenplay. But it's terrible as a comic. The characters drone on and on. Some of these word balloons are so filled with text that they had to make the font smaller. That's something Tarantino can pull off in movies, but it doesn't work in comics. It starts off as an eccentric road trip / crime flick. Then they get to Jackie Gleason's house and there's alternate dimensions, some kind of pig creatures, Richard Nixon and still a ton of dialogue. None of it made a lick of sense. I completely lost the thread of what was even going on. The art though is really good. Noe has apparently been working everywhere but the U.S. for a long time. He's quite the find.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
I’m not sure what I’ve just read. The story is potentially interesting, but it was really confusing; I struggled to understand the connection between the different situations. Mind you, perhaps that was intentional, given Artaud’s character, but maybe I’m just giving it too much of the benefit of the doubt. The leap from a provincial parish priest to a search for UFOs, the various changes of opinion on Nixon, and then why on earth Artaud had to be dragged into all this – honestly, it was all a bit too much for me. I read it because I thought ‘trust the process’, but perhaps I trusted it a bit too much. The artwork is remarkable in many of the panels, particularly the full-page ones. I’m very confused; it’s not for me, but I think sci-fi fans might enjoy it.
I’m not sure what I’ve just read. The story is potentially interesting, but it was really confusing; I struggled to understand the connection between the different situations. Mind you, perhaps that was intentional, given Artaud’s character, but maybe I’m just giving it too much of the benefit of the doubt. The leap from a provincial parish priest to a search for UFOs, the various changes of opinion on Nixon, and then why on earth Artaud had to be dragged into all this – honestly, it was all a bit too much for me. I read it because I thought ‘trust the process’, but perhaps I trusted it a bit too much. The artwork is remarkable in many of the panels, particularly the full-page ones. I’m very confused; it’s not for me, but I think sci-fi fans might enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this graphic novel as an eARC! I greatly appreciate it!
You can tell this was written by an actor, because it really reads like a movie! There's something thoroughly cinematic about it. Unfortunately, that movie is a slog. I see what he was going for, I think, but you can tell he's not a writer. But that leaves room to improve! He's definitely got a vision!
The art was really lovely, though!
Three stars out of five to Momo.
You can tell this was written by an actor, because it really reads like a movie! There's something thoroughly cinematic about it. Unfortunately, that movie is a slog. I see what he was going for, I think, but you can tell he's not a writer. But that leaves room to improve! He's definitely got a vision!
The art was really lovely, though!
Three stars out of five to Momo.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sorry Netgalley and publisher, completely forgot to review this book as life took over unfortunately!
Never would I ever think that THE John Cusack would write anything, this was actually a decent fantasy graphic novel!
Never would I ever think that THE John Cusack would write anything, this was actually a decent fantasy graphic novel!
October 5, 2026
The art in this book is gorgeous, but the showing to telling ratio is skewed way too far in favor of telling. One of the beauties of graphic novels is being able to give the story space to unfold in the quiet, wordless moments and instead we get blocks and blocks of dialogue. I tried to make peace with that since this is written by an actor, but the dialogue was also not particularly propulsive.
I'm still glad I picked this up as an eARC from NetGalley, but I'll probably be looking for more things from this illustrator and fewer things from Cusack in the future.
I'm still glad I picked this up as an eARC from NetGalley, but I'll probably be looking for more things from this illustrator and fewer things from Cusack in the future.
Did Not Finish
September 29, 2026Well, you can file this one under "just not for me" I think. I was really excited to get in to this one, as the art style was stunning from the very first page. And the beginning section of this graphic novel set us up for something fairly interesting. But then... well. I'm not even sure what happened, how it went wrong, why it went the way it did because I genuinely struggled to understand anything that was happening. It was really disappointing to see such beautiful artwork with a story that didn't match.
**Arc from Netgalley**
**Arc from Netgalley**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an advanced reader copy.
Fun book and wild ride. I love the mentions of movie history. The artwork in this book is beautiful and celestial.
Fun book and wild ride. I love the mentions of movie history. The artwork in this book is beautiful and celestial.
October 5, 2026
I wrote this book when I was 20. I wrote it as a completely different book and had the good sense to release it under an assumed name, but I wrote this book. No fooling. It’s still available on KDP. I’ll never say what it is.
I think a lot of us wrote this book as youngsters. We wanted to be Thomas Pynchon, Hunter S Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut. We were at least two-decades too late but we thought Richard Nixon was exceptional (exceptionally bad) instead of what he really was: every other president—Republican or Democrat—only crankier and less discreet (and so bound to be found out sooner or later). We wanted to be all the beatniks. We wanted to be iconoclasts. We wore our profound love of our own art (that wasn’t so good) on our sleeves — art that could only have happened thanks the resources made available in a Western World we were sure to condemn, without reservation, in the very art this world made possible. We wanted to be John Waters, Robert Crumb, William S Burroughs. We wanted to be so cool man! But we were 20! Cut us some slack.
The writer of Momo is not 20…
Why is it that, when creative people (I’m no longer talking about myself here) are given license to complete a dream work unfettered, the final product’s always a mishmash of surreality and homage to generations-old counterculture (talking about myself again here)? Like these creatives can’t rein themselves in even a little bit? I’m thinking of a lot of works, victim of the sophomore curse that comes from knocking-it-out-of-the-park with a more subdued first work and then squandering the freedom earned, on excess, in completing the second. I’m thinking of a lot of movies, actually, but it’s Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ that’s crowded out all other takers to find itself at the forefront of my mind… And I’ve never even seen that movie!
Anyway…
Is Momo the ‘Megalopolis’ of graphic novels? I don’t know (I haven’t seen Megalopolis, I remind). I will say, it is similar in that it’s the creative work of a movie industry insider frustrated by the constraints imposed by the industry itself. It may also be similar to Megalopolis in terms of its excesses (should Megalopolis involve the degree of excess its detractors suggest of it).
But what is Momo?
Momo is a period-set graphic crime comedy caper by John Cusack (scripter) and Ignacio Noe (artist). It’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot meets Fear and Loathing meets Southland Tales meets Dr. No meets Ghostbusters meets Gigli (if the character with cognitive delays were a messianic darling of poststructuralist literary critics). I’d tell you the specifics of the characters and the plot but the whole affair is far too busy for me to make much sense of anything. I'll say this much: two strangers meet by happenstance and go on an adventure to find an eccentric at the behest of another eccentric, meeting so many more eccentric’s along the way. Who are these people deep down? What makes them tick? I’m not sure, but they don’t look (or do things) like your standard characters of fiction, so good enough, right? (So, who needs character depth, right?)
The book’s quite dialogical and I can understand why this is a turn off for fans of graphic novels. In concept, it’s not so demanding visually—despite amazing artwork by Noe—so it’s odd that Cusack would choose the action comic presentation and not that of a straightforward novel. However, if you like old EC horror comics, many of which featured comic panels that were two-thirds text, you may not mind this at all.
Momo’s a lot of things, but what it is most is too derivative for its own good (not to mention enamored with itself). There is an entire passage involving a bland ‘everything is/ought be political’ critique of The Exorcist that is, by explicit admission (stated in a footnote, no less), a paraphrase of James Baldwin’s bland ‘everything is/ought be political’ critique of The Exorcist. First years right out the suburbs might be impressed, but I imagine everyone else will be left wishing these Tarantino-esque maneuvers were actually derivative of Tarantino himself and not (once again) rips of the musings of generations-old counterculture figures. Oh well…
As hinted at, Momo was brought to life as a graphic novel, in part, due to Cusack’s desire to not have his creative vision limited by film industry funders.
If this is a trend (i.e. everything from graphic novels to multi-hundred-million dollar independent films bringing to life the ideas of the frustrated creative), I’m all for this… Without qualification… And don’t think me contradicting myself given my up-to-now not so glowing review of Momo. It’s no contradiction at all. See, if the volume of these works increases, then, should they continue to be pure self-indulgence, then, at the end of the day, it’s still artistic expression—not completely without merit or completely lacking in redeeming features—and that’s something that’s better than nothing. If some of these (many many) works come to us lacking in self-indulgence, while also the product of unfettered creative freedom, then that means more and more quality works for everyone, which is great.
So yeah, I’m all for this. Specifically, I’m all for exploiting graphic novels as the best of both worlds when it comes to expression—the conceptual freedom of the novel, with much of the visual expression of film—only, without the strangely standardized tropes of the frustrated insider creative-type breaking free of the stifling inputs of those who control the purse strings.
I’d sum up my thoughts on Momo as follows: more like this, only, not as this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios! This was a thrill to receive as an eARC.
What do you get when you cross an A-List actor with a world-class illustrator? You get Momo. This book is first and foremost a journey. It's giving Pulp Fiction vibes as well follow Animal and Johnson on a potentially world-ending journey. They not only have to escape their pasts, but they have to work with THE Jackie Gleason to ensure that the world doesn't fall apart. We get a guest appearance from Linda Blair as a child, which is always a treat. This book is a mixture of Sci-Fi and Action that feels like you're in a Hollywood film.
All that said, this was not a fun book for me. It was confusing, probably due to the film elements, and I'm still not entirely sure what happened. It appears there will be a sequel that may answer more questions, but I don't think I'll continue this series. Now, the illustrations are an entirely different story. They were phenomenal. This is why I gave the book 3 stars instead of 2. I also liked the old-school Hollywood elements to it. I hated Victor, which I'm sure I'm meant to. I wanted a little more depth in Animal. I think I could have used a bit more depth across the board. I do think this book will speak to some people. Especially huge John Cusack and old Hollywood fans.
What do you get when you cross an A-List actor with a world-class illustrator? You get Momo. This book is first and foremost a journey. It's giving Pulp Fiction vibes as well follow Animal and Johnson on a potentially world-ending journey. They not only have to escape their pasts, but they have to work with THE Jackie Gleason to ensure that the world doesn't fall apart. We get a guest appearance from Linda Blair as a child, which is always a treat. This book is a mixture of Sci-Fi and Action that feels like you're in a Hollywood film.
All that said, this was not a fun book for me. It was confusing, probably due to the film elements, and I'm still not entirely sure what happened. It appears there will be a sequel that may answer more questions, but I don't think I'll continue this series. Now, the illustrations are an entirely different story. They were phenomenal. This is why I gave the book 3 stars instead of 2. I also liked the old-school Hollywood elements to it. I hated Victor, which I'm sure I'm meant to. I wanted a little more depth in Animal. I think I could have used a bit more depth across the board. I do think this book will speak to some people. Especially huge John Cusack and old Hollywood fans.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What begins as a fairly average gangster story in which fiction blends with facts (featuring a slick protagonist, a mysterious *femme fatale*, mafia bosses, and other genre staples plus… Nixon, Max von Sydow, and Linda Blair), eventually escalates into... well, I’m not entirely sure what. To say it gets abstract is an understatement. Magical artifacts, secret military bases, aliens - it’s a chaotic mix that somehow merges into a whole that is as intriguing as it is incoherent. But is it good? At times, absolutely; unfortunately, before the "fireworks" begin, you have to paddle through rather lackluster dialogue and convoluted reflections. Is it worth it? That’s a matter of taste.
While the plot raises significant doubts, I would count the illustrations among the title's definite strengths. Visually, it is simply (though achieving this is far from simple) great. The linework is expressive, detailed when necessary, yet symbolic where the focus needs to be put on specific element, and its stylized realism fits the atmosphere perfectly. It is a shame that looks aren't everything; otherwise, I could have given it a much higher score than the one I ultimately did.
While the plot raises significant doubts, I would count the illustrations among the title's definite strengths. Visually, it is simply (though achieving this is far from simple) great. The linework is expressive, detailed when necessary, yet symbolic where the focus needs to be put on specific element, and its stylized realism fits the atmosphere perfectly. It is a shame that looks aren't everything; otherwise, I could have given it a much higher score than the one I ultimately did.
October 17, 2026
I can't say for sure that there's a coherent story lurking in here -- certainly there's the framework of a story, and a lot of hints at deeper meanings and some kind of unified mythology. But if so, it's buried under a cascade of weird details, movie references, odd twists, and absurdity. The closest comparison I can think of is the Illuminatus! trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson.
I see that a lot of people didn't like it, but did the book fail on its own terms, or succeed in a way that just wasn't to their tastes? I quite enjoyed reading it, although it was fairly opaque at times. And the art was gorgeous!
I see that a lot of people didn't like it, but did the book fail on its own terms, or succeed in a way that just wasn't to their tastes? I quite enjoyed reading it, although it was fairly opaque at times. And the art was gorgeous!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly? I didn’t get it. Started clear enough, then the plot went all over the place and just didn’t do it for me. The art was nice, particularly in the larger panels, though I didn’t feel like they took advantage of the visual medium as much as they could have. It wasn’t very long, but it was also somehow a slog to get through.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The artwork here is really incredible and vibrant, but the story was really difficult to follow. I enjoyed the first part, but then it just went off the rails, and I'm not sure I understood what even happened. Maybe this would work better in a different medium or maybe it was just me, I'm not sure.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc!
October 18, 2026
I was drawn to this book because I'm a fan of John Cusack's movies. But if I'm honest, I'm not sure what I just read. Based on the story that Richard Nixon once showed Jackie Gleason proof of aliens' existence in the United States, this book was full of action, dark humor, political satire, and amazing illustrations. It's a bit beyond explanation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Illustation was fantastic, but we took too long building the story. It didn't hook me soon enough and it was kind of a slog to finish. I'd watch the movie?
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 21, 2026
Barely coherent, Hollywood-navel-gazing self indulgent nonsense. Noé's art has promise but struggles with the unreality of the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews