Sabretooth
I was dead. I got better.
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X-Men's Dave Cockrum dies at 63
quote: (post ) By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer Tue Nov 28
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Comic book illustrator Dave Cockrum, who in the 1970s overhauled the X-Men and helped popularize the relatively obscure Marvel Comics title into a publishing sensation and eventually a major film franchise, died Sunday. He was 63.
In his Superman pajamas and with his Batman blanket, Cockrum died in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, S.C., early Sunday morning. He had suffered a long battle with diabetes and related complications, his wife, Paty, said Tuesday.
At Cockrum's request, there will be no public services and his body will be cremated, according to Cox Funeral Home. His ashes will be spread on his property.
At Marvel Comics, Cockrum and writer Len Wein were handed the X-Men. The comic had been created in 1963 as a group of young outcasts enrolled in an academy for mutants, but the premise failed to capture fans.
Cockrum and Wein took the existing comic, added their own heroes and published "Giant-Size X-Men No. 1" in 1975. Many signature characters Cockrum designed and co-created — such as Storm, Mystique, Nightcrawler and Colossus — went on to become part of the "X-Men" films starring Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.
Cockrum received no movie royalties, said family friend Clifford Meth, who organized efforts to help Cockrum and his family during his protracted medical care.
"Dave saw the movie and he cried — not because he was bitter," Meth said. "He cried because his characters were on screen and they were living."
Cockrum was born in Pendleton, Ore., the son of an Air Force officer. He set aside his interest in art while serving in Vietnam for the U.S. Navy. He moved to New York after leaving the service and got his big break in the early 1970s, drawing the Legion of Super-Heroes for DC Comics before moving to Marvel.
In January 2004, Cockrum moved to South Carolina after being hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia. As his diabetes progressed, his drawings became limited. His last drawing was a sketch for a fan, who attended a small comic book convention in Greenville, Paty Cockrum said.
Meth said Cockrum, who will be cremated in a Green Lantern shirt, will be remembered as "a comic incarnate."
"He had a genuine love for comics and for science fiction and for fantasy, and he lived in it," Meth said. "He loved his work."
On several occasions I have credited Wolverine for saving the X-Men from cancellation and making them what they are today. I was wrong. The real credit should go to Len Wein and Dave Cockrum. Wolverine only helped. Thank you Dave for helping create what I consider the best chaper in the X-Men's history. May you rest in peace.
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Nov 29th, 2006 07:17 AM
-Pr-
Hey Yo!
Gender: Male Location: Ireland.
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quote: (post ) Originally posted by Sabretooth
On several occasions I have credited Wolverine for saving the X-Men from cancellation and making them what they are today. I was wrong. The real credit should go to Len Wein and Dave Cockrum. Wolverine only helped. Thank you Dave for helping create what I consider the best chaper in the X-Men's history. May you rest in peace.
i'll forever be grateful to that man for colossus...
RIP...
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Nov 30th, 2006 07:31 PM
PsyrenAviance
The Body Beautiful
Gender: Unspecified Location: Any spotlight
So he's who made storm.Thank you
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get yo life cause I'm sickning
ty Starlock
Nov 30th, 2006 10:11 PM
roughrider
Thunderer
Gender: Male Location: Canada
The most influencial series to come out of the 1970's - the comics world is shaped the way it is today, because of the X-Men reboot by Dave Cockrum and Len Wein.
I thank him for Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Banshee, and for helping Marvel understand the potential of Wolverine.
But the X-Men seem as real to us as our dear friends, so I will say thanks again, for Ororo, Piotr, Kurt, Sean and Logan.
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Nov 30th, 2006 10:37 PM
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