Benefit Auction Raises Cash for Dave Cockrum!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Comics Auctions (HCA) held a benefit auction for legendary comics creator Dave Cockrum as part of their WizardWorld Chicago 2004 sale. 101 individual lots of original art, donated by some of the field's most popular creators, raised $24,581.25 for Cockrum, whose near-fatal brush with diabetes and pneumonia resulted in astronomical medical bills.

"We were thrilled to be a part of this important effort," said John Petty, HCA's Director of Auctions. "This was a true grassroots effort, spearheaded by Neal Adams and Clifford Meth, who collected the art for inclusion in a tribute book published by Aardwolf Press. When they asked us to handle the auction end of the event, we jumped at the chance."

"This whole effort really was a labor of love," added David Tosh, HCA Cataloger. "Dave Cockrum has been an important voice in the comics industry for many years, and it's a pleasure to have an opportunity to give something back to him."

"Each piece in the auction was more stunning than the one before it, so it's hard to pick out highlights," said Jim Steele, Chief Cataloger for HCA. "However, some of the most hotly contested pieces were the Travis Charest Nightcrawler painting which realized 2,817.50, the Jim Lee Futurians pin-up, which brought $1,495, and the Walt Simonson X-Men/Legion of Superheroes extravaganza which fetched an impressive $2,990."

"Hammer price on the 101 lots totaled $21,375 and, adding on the 15% Buyer's Premium, which will also be donated to Dave, the total climbed to $24,581.25," said Petty.

"Personally, I was extremely pleased to see the support, both from the artists that contributed pieces and from the bidders who bought them, for such a great cause," continued Petty. "I hope that this can bring Dave a little well-deserved peace of mind, and that it helps in some small way to speed him on his road to recovery."

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageComics.com.

HCA specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 214-252-4288 or Lon Allen at 214-252-4261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit http://www.HeritageComics.com and click on the "consign" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageComics.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageComics.com.

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 214-668-6928 or email GreySm@HeritageMoviePosters.com.

To order the next three sale catalogs, visit Heritage's website to pay by credit card, or send a check or money order payable to Heritage Comics in the amount of $100 (a fraction of Heritage's actual cost-to-produce the catalogs) to: Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Comics, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219.