DAVE COCKRUM HOSPITALIZED On his weblog, Peter David has reported that artist Dave Cockrum, best known for work on Uncanny X-Men and Legion of Super-Heroes has been in the Vetrans Administration hospital in the Brox for nearly two weeks.
Cockrum has pneumonia, and is currently on a respirator.
Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
I stopped by Peter David's board. No additional info. I did post a reply in hopes we can get an address where we can send get well cards.
Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
quote:From Comicon.com
Peter David and other sources are reporting that David Cockrum has been hospitalized. The artist was admitted over two weeks ago due to complications with his diabetes. Several of Cockrum's friends and peers are discussing the possibility of creating a Dave Cockrum tribute book to help with some of the medical expenses. THE PULSE wishes Mr. Cockrum a speedy recovery and healthy New Year. We will bring you more details of the possible tribute book as we learn them.
Posted by Povvin the Martian on :
Thanks for all the info, Duke.
God, another one to pray for... Posted by Harbinger on :
I'm there in spirit right now giving the big guy a hug Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
quote:A fan posted on Dave's Nightscrawlers board:
I talked to Paty today, and she told me that Dave is in the hospital, still in New York. He came down with pneumonia just before they had to move out of their house. He's at the VA Hospital in the Bronx, she said. He's doing better today, she told me -- he was on a respirator since Jan. 1st, but was taken off the respirator today. Dave's still in Intensive Care, though. Paty said he's still a little disoriented and not feeling very well. I know we all wish him the VERY best, and our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Paty had to go on down to South Carolina by herself; she had no choice! You can imagine what she's going through at this moment! Friends and family are looking in on Dave, she said, although hardly anyone is being allowed into the ICU at the VA. Paty is trying to get the house ready, so Dave can join her there when the hospital discharges him. (Hopefully soon!) Paty said the new place is beautiful, and the people in Belton, S.C. have been very helpful. She told me to post her new address:
18615 Brown Ave. Extension Belton, South Carolina 29627
So we can send Dave some get well cards.
Also, a reminder, Paty's birthday is coming up at the end of January. (The 30th I believe, although I keep getting that wrong and it could be the 31st. She's going to kill me. :-) )
Paty asked me to post and let you-all know what was happening with them. They don't have their computers hooked up yet -- it isn't a high priority at the moment, Paty said, as we all can imagine!
I too apologize for not posting more!
Anyway, like I said, I know we all wish Dave the very best, and hope he gets well as soon as possible, and will be posting here again before long.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Hmmm... as much as I hate to use the guy's illness to fuel the rumor mill... could it be this is why we haven't had announcement of whose drawing Gail Simone's Legion issues?
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Dave...
Posted by icefire on :
Get well soon Dave!!!!
Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
quote:Originally posted by Eryk Davis Ester: Hmmm... as much as I hate to use the guy's illness to fuel the rumor mill... could it be this is why we haven't had announcement of whose drawing Gail Simone's Legion issues?
I tend to doubt it. There is a certain ageism in comics precludes giving anyting other than a token asignment to most artists old enough to have purchased Cockrum's run off the stands, let alone the guy who drew that run and helped revitilize the series.
Posted by the boy with UltraPowers on :
hope you're back drwaing soon, Dave !!!
here's a !!!
Matthew.
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
I'll be sending out my card! Get well soon, Dave!
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
to Dave and Paty from us. We'll send him a card as soon as we can. Get well soon!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
:hugs: to Dave and his wife! He'll be in my thoughts too!
Posted by Arachne on :
Damn. I hate diabetes.
I hope Dave recovers soon so he can go and enjoy his new home.
Posted by STU on :
Hope you get well soon, Dave.
Posted by Omni Craig on :
We're with you in spirit Dave!
Get well soon!
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
More hugs from me too. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
Get well soon, Dave.
Posted by Faraway Lad on :
A faraway hug to a creator who came across as a nice guy willing to spend time with the fans. Posted by Frog Kid on :
Too bad. Hope He will get well soon!
Posted by Kent Shakespeare on :
Best wished Dave.
Mrs. C, hang in there.
Posted by DrakeB3003 on :
Best wishes on a speedy recovery Dave! We need you to get back to the old drawing board and show some of these kids how it's done!
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
I received the following, via e-mail, through my CBG subscription. The article is avaiable on-line for subscribers.
quote:Dave Cockrum has been hospitalized with a severe case of double pneumonia, as well as a bacterial infection in his lungs and his blood. He is in stable condition and is being cared for at the Intensive Care Unit at Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital in New York.
Cockrum made his professional debut in 1973 on DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes. One year later, he became one of the last members of Marvel’s now legendary bullpen, where he revamped the then-canceled (and now multi-million dollar producing) X-Men.
Since co-creating the updated X-Men (including Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Thunderbird) in 1975, Cockrum has co-created other X-Men characters including Phoenix, Mystique, The Brood, The Imperial Guard, The Shi’ar Empire, and The Starjammers. In addition Cockrum produced his own creator-owned team The Futurians.
Cockrum’s editor at Claypool Comics, Richard Howell, told CBG, “Dave Cockrum is a natural comic-book industry treasure. His love for comics and comics storytelling is evident in every panel, every figure, and every line he draws. He was a major asset to Claypool during his entire tenure here, both on his various Elvira stories and his more than 24 issues of Soulsearchers and Company. I’ve never given up on getting him back, even for a story or two.”
A tribute book to benefit Cockrum is in the works. Contributors include Murphy Anderson, Chris Claremont, Peter David, Harlan Ellison, Tony Isabella, John Romita, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Dick Ayers, Mark Bagley, Ron Garney, Marie Severin, Dave Sim, Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, and Stan Lee. A benefit auction is also being planned.
People who do not know Paty Cockrum personally are asked to please not call her home. Cards are welcome and can be sent to: Dave Cockrum c/o Bronx VA Medical Center 130 W. Kingsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10468
Amazing Spider-Man #163 and #188 Avengers #106-108 and #124-126 Batman #411, #412, and #423 Big Bang Comics Vol. 2 Blackhawk #251-255 The Brave and the Bold #167 The Champions (Marvel) #10 Daredevil #140, #141, #143, #145, #146, #151 The Destroyer Vol. 3 Giant-Size Avengers #2-3 Grimmax #0 Iron Man #101, #105-107, #110, and #122 John Carter, Warlord of Mars #1 Justice League Quarterly #9 and #10 Marvel Comics Presents #1-5, #7, #22-23, and #41 Nightcrawler Vol. 1 #1-4 Prime (Vol. 1) #19 Punisher: Bloodlines #1 The Sensational She-Hulk #54 Shadow State #1 Soulsearchers and Company #29 and #43-44 Star Trek (2nd series) #1-3 Superboy (1st series) #202, #295 Wally Wood’s T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1-4 Uncanny X-Men #145-#150, #153-158, and #161-#164 Vampirella: Summer Nights #1 Vigilante #44 Weird War Tales #99 Werewolf By Night #42 X-Men (1st series) #94-#111, #117-119, #121-122, and #124-126 X-Men (2nd series) #109
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Dave was taken off the respirator but is still very weak. Newsarama has an update and more information on the Tribute to be published.
Posted by profh0011 on :
Thanks for the info. I spent 2 hours last night putting together a “get well” card, and sent it out today.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Received this email through the Interlac APA list:
Mercy Van Vlack and I just got back from visiting Dave Cockrum in the hospital. He's doing well, relatively speaking. He's out of intensive care, but is very weak and tired. The worst seems to be over and it seems that he's at the point where physical therapy will be able to fix him up.
The address to visit or send cards is:
Bronx Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Floor 7C, Room 9B,
130 W. Kingsbridge Road,
Bronx, NY 10468.
He can't always pick up the phone. The nearest subway is the #4 to Kingsbridge Rd. Walk past the Armory on your right and the hospital is on your left in about five minutes. The only entrance is past the parking lots.
Also, Dave would like to embarrass Marvel. Not only are they not giving him the credit and money he is due on the New X-Men and the characters he created for them, not only are they not giving him work now, not only are they insulting him when they don't give him work, but they're not acknowledging his presence in the hospital. DC at least sent flowers and a card.
He also gave me permission, hell, he urged me to spread the information around, so please forward this to whatever lists and chat rooms and people you feel might be interested.
Sorry to bring the bad news to those of you who didn't know, but at least it's not all bad.
Come on Dave! We need you back healthy and happy again. SInce Marvel doesn't seem intelligent enough to recognize your incredible talent maybe DC will and in a stroke of genius, bring you back to the Legion fulltime. Here's hoping!
Get well soon!
Posted by imskian78 on :
Dave, hope you get to read this. Im sure you will be up and about in no time. Just wanted to take this time to thank you for what you did for The Legion. Iv'e been a fan for years and I can tell you that your costume designs were a big part of why I have created my own world and characters for the past twenty years. It is a shame that politics get in the way as to the way creators/artists are brushed aside with no credit for the things they contribute to the world of comics just what you created with Xmen is huge! Anyway know that there are alot of people who have enjoyed your work and wish you well...Dean
Posted by EmeraldEmpress on :
From Spain all my force for my hero Dave. I hope you recovers soon.
Posted by saturnrings on :
Get well soon, Dave. A card is on the way.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
An update from Mercy van Vlack & Ken Gale:
Ken Gale and I went out to see Dave Cockrum at the hospital last night, Monday 1-26. His condition has SO improved from last Wednesday when I was there last! His hands are not swollen and his eyes are wide open. He even asked for pencils. Someone had already brought him paper which was in his drawer, ready for recovery. His physical therapist, he says, "Physical Terrorist," has him in the chair tooling around the halls to build up his arms.
We had a great chat about Movies and Comics and Porcupine Pete (Hi Kev-em!) and ideas for stories Dave is cooking up. His earthy humor and gorgeous art have always been a plus to comics. We strolled thru the 70’s when we first hung around with Dave, when he first got into "The Business." I used to dress up as a super-heroine and go to the big comic cons in NYC as Saturn Girl or Bat-Girl or Supergirl, and I always hung around Dave and just watched him draw. He has such a way with expression and his characters have such a sense of fun. Being able to go to a convention and watch Dave draw was so important to a budding artist. I could see first-hand the tools of my future trade and watch the master stroke those pencil lines deftly into a leaping, flying, grand super-hero illustration. Now I have kids who hang around my table at cons and watch me draw and I explain how to hold the brush for them. We also talked about sharks; Dave met some while he was in the navy.
We gave him the card from that weekend’s Big Apple con, signed and illustrated by 44 people! Ken spent most of the con running the card from guest to guest, he even got Rene Auberjonois signature, and as Dave is such a Trek fan….. "Wow! Who did this Storm nurse on the backcover!?!" He loved the Buzz illo! He was very pleased! Loved the artwork and read every word. He also got a big bouquet of flowers w/o a card? Could these be the flowers from Marvel? Mysterious. They were beautiful and Dave liked them very much, but no card? Would Marvel be anonymous?
Bring him fruit! Go talk to him! Visit Dave and clutter up his room with comics and toys……..
Mercy Van Vlack
The 44 people on Dave Cockrum’s Get Well Card (Please excooze spelling):
Dick Ayers, Rich Buckler, Gerard Robinson, Louis Small Jr., Jim Salicrup, Danny Fingeroff, Ethan Van Scriver, Mark Texiera, Buzz, Tim Kelly, Bernard Chang, John Paul Leon, Sean Chen, Walt Simonson, Scott Roberts, Jim C. Roberts, Rodney Ramos, Denny Fink, Tommy Castillo, Dave DeVries, Mike Carbonaro, Mike Lilly, Tim Smith, Charles Dixon, Marcus Boas, Bill Sienkiewicz, Peter Palmotti, Jimmy Palmotti, Allan Rosenberg, Joe Rubenstein, Mike Lark, Gary Bishop, Arthur Cloos, Rich Bernatovich, Mercy Van Vlack, Kasim Earl, Chris Duckett, Rene Auberjonois, Kevin Maguire, Jorge Medina, Samuel Vera, Mike Bair, Michael Renzine, Ken Gale and Raymond Connors.
I don't have much to add to what Mercy said. When I was taking the card around at the convention, the most common question was "How is he?" Better every day. The second most common question was "How much longer is he going to be there?" Can't answer that one. He seems to be pretty much over the double pneumonia and viral infection, but there is a third thing that they can't figure out so until they do, they'll probably keep him. Or he might become an outpatient someplace near by (Dave refers to it as a V.A. nursing home). The edema in his hands is pretty much gone, and he's getting stronger every day, but he still can't stand up by himself and they don't know why. He's still a great person to hang out with, even in a hospital.
The address to visit or send cards is:
Bronx Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Floor 7C, Room 9B,
130 W. Kingsbridge Road,
Bronx, NY 10468.
Visiting hours are 10 AM to 8 PM.
The hospital's phone number is 1-718-584-9000; Dave's is 1-718-741-4544.
The nearest subway is the #4 to Kingsbridge Rd. Walk past the Armory on your right and the hospital is on your left in about five minutes. The only entrance is past the parking lots.
He's kind of stuck in bed watching TV, so he really would like visitors, so please forward this to whatever lists and chat rooms and people you feel might be interested.
Ken
Posted by STU on :
Thanks for posting this, Cramer. I hope some of our NY-area posters can drop by to wish Dave well!
Posted by Gail Simone on :
I just want to say I ADORE Dave Cockrum and any time he wants me to write something for him, I'd be honored. ALWAYS been one of my favorite artists, and is a complete gentleman, to boot.
GET WELL, DAVE!
Gail
Posted by Dev Em on :
Hope he gets better soon.
[ March 16, 2004, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Dev Em ]
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
From Paty Cockrum's post at Nightscrawlers -
quote:BIG NEWS UPDATE HERE:
I just arranged for air reservations for Wednesday, April 21 For dave to come home!!! He told me the docs were talking about springing him the week of the nineteenth, and I jumped right on it and got reservations! Cliff has volunteered to take him to La Guardia for the two hour flight to Greenville/Spartanburg!...so he will put Dave on the plane and I will take him off here and then it's only a half hour to home! Hopefully we can get his computer up and running so he will be able to get online as soon as he gets here...cuz I KNOW he is anxious to say "HI" and "Thanks!!!" to all of you! You all have been so wonderful in your response and efforts to cheer and help him recover!!! I told him that once I had booked the flight, he was coming home come hell or high water...and he agreed! If the docs don't want him to go...TOUGH!!! He says he will wal...or trundle out AMA...that's against medical advice. It's a big nono...but he has HAD it with being in the hospital. He figures that at least here he can eat the food!!! LOL So that's the latest, people! thanks to all for your support and love! Huggies Paty
Posted by Numf El on :
Excellent news - I hope it all works out as planned,
Numf
Posted by Nightcrawler on :
Dave's finally home -
Dark Bamf, at Nightscrawlers, posted on 22-4-2004 at 07:57 AM -
quote:Hi, everybody, yeah, I'm back. Hopefully to stay. They tell me I nearly bit the big one this time. It's not a nice experience.
I want to thank everbody for their love and support over this difficult time. I was deluged with mail, cards, stuffed toys (Paty sent me a garish, five foot long green plush alligator), and--believe it or not--two frozen Chicago deep-dish pizzas.
I'm resting up tody and trying to acclimate to the new digs, so I'm going to keep this short for now. I'll sign bak in later when I can relax and schmooze a bit.
Oh, and the puppy is miss Queen Tootsie Pinkletoes, the tiniest Pekinese I'v ever seen. She's a little champagne-colored fluffball with a black face just like my old best buddy, the late Ringo. Our friend Barb calls her 'attack peke' and our other friend Cat calls her 'Shorty'. Paty bristles at that, she doesn't want her answering to 'Shorty'. But Paty can't make her mind up whether to call her Queenie, Tootsie, or Pinkletoes, so the poor pup's getting a bit confused.
More later. Love to all.
The last part is about the new puppy Paty got for Dave while he was in the hospital.
Posted by SteveLightle on :
Dave, it's great to hear that you are back home and feeling a bit better. You've had us all worried, big guy.
Steve
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
I not only agree with this from Steve, i am glad to hear fromyou as well. Haven't heard much out of you lately, but then, maybe i haven't been looking in the right places.
And Dave, it's good to have you out and home again.
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