Latner, Ted :: Dave Cockrum

The Devastators / The Strangers by Dave Cockrum (first Wolverine?)

Artist: Dave Cockrum (All)

13 Comments - 3,693 Views - 25 Likes

The Devastators / The Strangers by Dave Cockrum (first Wolverine?) Comic Art

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Before White-Out Removal

Previous Item:
Shattuck strip #14 - 1972

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Typhoon Character Design (Storm Prototype)

Artwork Details

Title:	The Devastators / The Strangers by Dave Cockrum (first Wolverine?)
Artist:	Dave Cockrum (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	3,693
Likes on CAF:	25 26
Comments:	13
Added to Site:	1/13/2018
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Dave created this team of villains as antagonists for the Legion of Super-Heroes in 1972. The characters are Foxglove (also known as Belladonna), Tyr, Wolverine, Sidewinder, and Manta. I believe Foxglove/Belladonna and Wolverine were supposed to be brother and sister. Only Tyr was ever used by DC, but Dave's version of Wolverine likely played a role in the creation of the Marvel character.

Dave showed this art to Roy Thomas and it's very possible he had this in his mind when suggesting that Marvel create their own Wolverine character in 1974. Marvel has recently credited Thomas as a co-creator of Wolverine and it's probably a bit unfair that Cockrum doesn't get credit as well, particularly since he also designed Wolverine's face and trademark hairstyle. You can read more about Wolverine's creation (and the potential impact of this art) on pages 45-46 of Glen Cadigan's great biography, "The Life & Art of Dave Cockrum".

Apparently Dave did use his Wolverine design as the basis for the Sh'iar Imperial Guard character Fang.

At some point Dave whited-out the logo and character names, most likely so that he could use the art without violating Marvel and DC trademarks or possibly he just wanted to start calling the characters The Strangers. I bought this directly from Dave in 2000 and I wish I would have asked him more about it at the time.

This isn't something I'd normally do, but I had a restorer remove the white-out in 2025 to reveal the logo and character names. It was bothering me that there was a big blob of white-out over the cool logo and also that Dave wasn't getting any credit for his part in the creation of Wolverine when it was pretty clearly on display in this piece from 1972. There is some minor damage to the the ink where the white-out was, but it looks nicer in person and I think it was worth doing due to the historical significance and overall look of the piece. I left a scan up with the white-out for reference.

This art was printed in several places over the years including the 2003 BAMF: The Dave Cockrum Treasury book (published by Aardwolf). Please let me know if you're aware of other places that this was published. There's also a color image on the Internet -- I'm not sure if Dave colored a copy of the art at some point or if it was done by someone else.

Apologies that my new scan isn't the greatest as I did a bad job stitching together two images. I'll have to try again at some point.

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About the Owner

	Ted Latner ( 10 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	tlatner
Website:	http://www.comicsfun.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Ted's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About TedLatner

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Comments on this Artwork

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frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/13/2018

Neat!

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/13/2018

This is a very cool specialty piece. The fact that a Wolverine is included also makes it extra special. His inks here are sublime!

Dewey Cassell
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/14/2018

This is a fantastic piece. Shades of what might have been ...

Brian Peck
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/20/2018

Fantastic!!! Dave in his prime!!!!! Love the composition. Congrats!!

Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011

Posted on 1/24/2018

Another fabulous Dave Cockrum piece, and yeah, how interesting that Dave created a Wolverine character before Marvel's version. History is all about slight shifts in time and place, right?

David Matheny
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 2/26/2023

character wise i have no idea on what i am looking at. art wise this is 'ucking legendary. the black and whites are on the highest scale.

Phill R
Member Since 2010

1 - Posted on 5/15/2024

Beautiful piece, even nicer to see in person!

Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 6/4/2024

Sweet costume designs!

Carlo M
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 7/25/2024

Cockrum is unbeatable when it comes to costume designs and characters visuals. Great piece!

Justin Leigh Leiter
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 11/8/2024

That is a phenomenal piece. So cool!

Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 12/16/2024

Cockrum is a master at the superhero team. This is great!

Joe Murray
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 3/11/2025

Such a cool Cockrum slice of pre-history, he was so adept at compelling costumes and dazzling team books, congrats!!

Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 6/24/2025

Thanks for sharing this piece of history!

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