Two of my favorite Cockrum pages.

His NIGHTCRAWLER limited series was the thing that really introduced me to his work.  I only got to know his X-Men stuff through reprints, but he was a definite master of storytelling and high among the giants of great costume design.

I tip my hat to you, Mr. Cockrum.  Thank you for the years.

While I'm sure many people would site Giant-Size X-Men #1 as their favorite, my favorite Cockrum issue just so happens to be my favorite comic - Giant-Size Avengers #2.  With Steve Englhart as the writer, Cocrum as the penciller and Neal Adams giving him an uncredited assist on the inks, how could it possibly go wrong?

He's often credited for his work towards salvaging/reviving the X-Men, but...

He did that after saving the Legion from extinction.  The LHS had been bounced from Adventure to the back pages of Action to the back pages of Superboy.  After Cockrum breathed new life into the franchise with his art and character/costume design, the Legion pushed Superboy out of his own book.

For us kids it was a great ride, waiting to see what Cockrum would do next, which character would be next to get the treatment.

Putting all of the Wolverine/Timberwolf bullshit aside, it was a real thrill to see Brin Londo return in unbelievably cool Cockrum style.  You also had the introduction of ERG-1/Wildfire, the Duo Damsel costume that seperated into two different costumes, the Devilfish....  great stuff.

I never had an opportunity to meet him, but through his work he took me to wonderful worlds.  Thank you Dave Cockrum.  RIP

Very sad. One of my very favorite artists.

Rest in peace.