If you're a comics fan you're familiar with his work. If you're a movie fan you're familiar with his legacy. Dave Cockrum, longtime comics artist for "The Legion of Superheroes," "The Uncanny X-Men," and more, created the looks for many of your favorite characters like Storm, Nightcrawler, and Colossus. He died of diabetes yesterday morning. The official release from a friend of the family included:

Dave's many creationsâ”including some of the X-Men's staple charactersâ”brought tremendous joy to his legion of fans. For three decades, he was a beloved fixture at comics conventions across the country where he would sketch for a pittance and encourage would-be creators. Those of us who knew Dave personally will remember him as one of the sweetest, jovial, most generous individuals in the comics industry. I'll miss my friend very much.

There are no details of services at this time. Dave asked to be cremated, and his widow Paty is burdened with the news, so well-wishers are asked not to call. Email can be sent to magnetorampant@yahoo.com.

I was never a big Legion fan, but I was watching intently as he helped Len Wein and Chris Claremont redefine a sagging team book into a powerhouse. RIP Dave.