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I have, in my tenure as a columnist for this magazine, had the
privilege of meeting many comicbook creators from various walks of
life and of various levels of success in the comic industry. Dave
Cockrum was one of those people I have met. I love Legion of
Superheroes to a level that some might call obsessive, if they dare
point those sorts of fingers with their own proclivities. To this day
Dave Cockrum remains one of my all time favorite people to draw the
Legion. His art was clean, stylized and just plain beautiful. Saying
that I was understandably THRILLED when he came to my city and I got a
chance to meet him.
Back in May 2003 at a small one room convention in what I believe is a
Ramada off I-10 and the 610 Loop in Houston, I not only met Dave
Cockrum, but I also had the honor of interviewing him. He wasn't
feeling very well at the time, but he was there and friendly. He
spoke candidly and freely about the comic industry, his own
inspirations, and aspirations. He talked to everyone that wanted to
see him, drew sketches and was generally a true gentleman. He spent
as much time with the older fans as with the younger. He was in a
wheelchair at that point, but he was still very much in his element
amongst his fans.
I loaded up CNN.com on November 29th and much to my great
astonishment, there was an Associated Press article about Dave
Cockrum. I was blown away. I knew his death was big, but I didn't
think that the mainstream media was in touch enough to pick up on it.
Not only was the article there on the front page it was beautifully
touching. I couldn't help but cry by the time I reached the end.
The article just proves he was a creator, and a fan.
The article in question:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/28/comic.death.ap/index.html
If you want to send something in tribute to Dave Cockrum for the
family. They request in lieu of flowers you donate to The Hero
Initiative, a not-for-profit organization that helps comic book
creators in need. Their website is
http://www.actorcomicfund.org/.
Instructions for making donations in his honor are on the front page.
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