Dave Cockrum
David Emmett Cockrum (/ˈkɒkrəm/; November 11, 1943 – November 26, 2006)[1] was an American comics artist known for his co-creation of the new X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and Mystique, as well as the antiheroine Black Cat. Cockrum was a prolific and inventive costume designer who updated the uniforms of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He did the same for the new X-Men and many of their antagonists in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Dave Cockrum
David Emmett Cockrum
November 11, 1943
Pendleton, Oregon, U.S.
November 26, 2006 (aged 63)
Belton, South Carolina, U.S.
Inkpot Award (1982)
Early life[edit]
Cockrum was born on November 11, 1943, in Pendleton, Oregon. His father was a lieutenant colonel of the United States Air Force, resulting in the Cockrums frequently transporting their household from one city to another for years. Cockrum discovered comic books at a young age; an early favorite was Fawcett's Captain Marvel, especially Mac Raboy's Captain Marvel Jr.[2] Other artists whose work the young Cockrum admired were Wally Wood, Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson, and Joe Kubert.[2]
As a young man, Cockrum was a dedicated "letterhack," who had many letters printed in comic book letter columns[3] such as Fantastic Four #22 (Jan. 1964), The Amazing Spider-Man #12 (May 1964), The Atom #1 (June 1962), and Fantastic Four #36 (March 1965) (return address "YN 'A' School, USNTC"). A letter from Cockrum in Fantastic Four #34 (Jan. 1965) led to a correspondence with Andrea Kline, who later became his first wife.[2][4]
Cockrum's ambition was to become a comic-book creator himself. Following his school graduation, Cockrum joined the United States Navy for six years.[5] During this time, he created the character Nightcrawler, though the character would not be used until years later.[6]
Awards[edit]
Cockrum's work on the X-Men earned the creative team an Eagle Award for Favourite (Colour) Comic in 1977.[31] Cockrum received an individual Inkpot Award in 1982.[32]