Taking a look at X-Men #97 couldn't help but remind me of artist Dave Cockrum's initial stay on the title--an assignment which, in tandem with writers Len Wein and Chris Claremont, helped to reignite the team and define the "new X-Men" not only for those readers who rediscovered the book after its overlong hiatus, but also for new readers who responded to a diverse, secluded group of heroes and their struggle to exemplify and defend one man's dream of coexistence.As I reacquainted myself with Cockrum's work on that issue, I found myself sifting through my memories of his contribution as a whole during those formative two years--and it seemed appropriate as a follow-up post to gather a few samples that, for me, highlighted his outstanding work on X-Men during that time that contributed so definitively to the imprint he left on Marvel Comics.
Mr. Cockrum passed away eleven years ago to the month, at the young age of 63. His legacy includes not only the respect and admiration of his peers, but a body of work that more than speaks for itself.
Mr. Cockrum's portrait by Michael Netzer
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