X-Men illustrator dies in Superman pajamasCOLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) – Wearing Superman pajamas and covered with his Batman blanket, comic book illustrator Dave Cockrum died Sunday.
The 63-year-old overhauled the X-Men comic and helped popularize the relatively obscure Marvel Comics in the 1970s. He helped turn the title into a publishing sensation and major film franchise.
Cockrum died in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, South Carolina, after a long battle with diabetes and related complications, his wife Paty Cockrum said Tuesday.So maybe, as a comic book fan, I’m over-sensitive. It just seems to me that both headline and lede are needlessly condescending. Why not something like - “Dave Cockrum, 63 year old comic book illustrator, died Sunday. In the 1970s, he overhauled the X-Men comic” – and so on. I see no problem in reporting that he choose to wear Superman pajamas as he was dieing, but he was a comic book professional, not some pathetic child who never grew up. Is it common to report what clothing famous novelists, or directors, or artists wore on their deathbeds?
It’s fair and very relevant. You’re the one drawing the implication ‘he was a child and never reached maturity’. The article simply states the facts. My impression was that it meant Cockrum really loved comics and was not embarrassed to admit it. Papermache Prince you’re the one seeing this as a negative thing.
Evil Captor, I assume you’re referring to “lede.” What that tells me is that the OP is not necessarily a poor speller, but rather a journalist. From The Mavens’ Word of the Day:
I think the lead is an entirely appropriate reference to Cockrum’s relationship to his work and lifelong interest.
Over at Comics101, Scott Tipton has reprinted an interview he conducted with Cockrum around the release of X-Men 2 (featuring one of Cockrum’s creations, Nightcrawler).
I thought it was a little condescending, too, but it doesn’t bother me very much.
Because it’s boring to write and boring to read. The purpose of a lead [I’m such a prick about spelling that I refuse to write it “correctly” :p] is to draw the reader into your story and convince him/her to keep reading the article. Giving them a picture of Dave Cockrum, as a man who wore Superman pajamas and slept under a Batman blanket even though he was in his 60s, gives you a more personal connection, tells you more about him, and is just more interesting than a dry sentence that told you his age.
Marley23 is correct- would this have even made CNN or whatever if not for the jammies? Not knowing the man and his mental state, I think I would like him.
Last I heard the diabetes had left him blind and paraplegic, but not effected his mind. I don’t think Cockrum was senile or regressed into a second childhood when he died.
After re-reading the headline (yeah, I am spending too much time thinking about this, but I think its pretty cool), perhaps the writer was making an observation about a Marvel comic guy with two DC items in his possession?
Nah. Cockrum also worked for DC. He redesigned most of the Legionaires’ costumes. Nightcrawler was originally intended as a Legion member. The Shiar Imperial guard were other designs for LOSH costumes (I can’t remember if they were rejected or if Cockrum left LOSH before getting a chance to try them).
I am a bit surprised that they weren’t X-Men sheets and pajamas though.
I also thought it came off a bit condescending. While probably not intentional, it does illustrate the fact that many people have a patronizing attitute towards comic book fans. (No one here of course!)
But it’s perfectly okay for adults to run around decked out to the nines in football jerseys and NASCAR jackets. :rolleyes: