Phoenix trading card by Steve Lightle
Artist: Steve Lightle (Penciller)
24 Comments - 759 Views - 35 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionToday marks the day of Steve Lightle’s untimely passing 2 years ago so I thought I would again pay homage to his talent by showcasing a piece from him I’ve owned for years.This the Excalibur version of Phoenix (Rachel Summers) done for a trading card. As a preliminary comment, I’d say that Steve paid a nice homage to Alan Davis’ version of the character, staying within her then artistic canon, while evidently making her his own. It helped that both artists’ styles are not too far away from each other. Steve even drew a bunch of Excalibur covers. Steve could draw pretty sexy women and this is a prime example of that. She is quite shapely and curvaceous without being too vulgar. I also like her expression here, like she is enjoying herself, despite her scars (or is that psy-tattoo?) masking most of her face. Her pose is great, akin to that of a witch conjuring that great elemental force (see her hands?). (I confess that her chest’s position looks a bit weird to me, especially her left breast which could have been lower but that is nitpicking as it’s not a real bother). I have written previously that I find Steve was excellent at drawing energy manifestations, radiating or blasting, but it’s clear that he was also quite good at drawing fire and fiery beings as exemplified by the Phoenix manifestation behind her. All the swirling flames forming the elemental force are fantastic and Steve even added some whiteout at the edge of it to make for a more vaporous effect, like its power is burning the very atmosphere. I like that Steve refrained from drawing the Phoenix’s eye which is a welcomed departure from all the artists who included it, giving it a more natural cosmic force/energy form vibe to it. Finally, let’s mention the expert inks all over, either on the fire, the lush shadows on her body or the black masses negatively delimiting the Phoenix. Steve was such an insanely talented artist. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
Stunning piece !! Steve Lightle was a great and unique talent and he's sorely missed.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
This is cool. Love the fire effects. Congrats!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
2 - Posted on 1/8/2023
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:
This is cool. Love the fire effects. Congrats!
Maybe I should have said .. this is HOT.😅
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
I'm such a fan of Lightle's work that it's hard for me to see the flaws...or maybe I'd rather not see them. Whatever the case, to me this is peak Lightle from a period that he could draw any character and instantly make any character his own. I love it!
André .
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
Yeah, the ink and whiteout work on the phoenix force is fantastic!
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
A breathtaking piece by an artist who consistently produced amazing work. Gone too soon.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
I can't believe it has already been two years since Lightle passed away. This is a terrific representation of the classic Steve Lightle style that made him one of the best cover artists of the 1980's. A nice dynamic pose with classic Lightle rendering all over the place.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
Super cool, man. Lightle's Classic X-Men covers were a staple of my youth. And yes, he absolutely slayed power effects!
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 1/8/2023
Stunning rendition , respectful of Davis ' s take on the character and yet original . Excellent !
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/9/2023
A graceful and strong ballet dancer's pose that stretches from top to bottom. Lovely with the fiery phoenix force that screams her power.
James S
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/9/2023
I was a late-blooming fan of his work and love Steve's style.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 1/9/2023
My intro to Rachel was Excalibur, and I remember thinking her look was so unique. Great rendition here, with the shadows at the front (cool how the spikes pop as a result) and lighting from the back to great effect. Cool pose, and you gotta love the background Phoenix force. Congrats!
John Espinoza
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 1/9/2023
A classic image from my childhood. A lot of these card were uncredited and I didn't know this was Steve Lightle. Thanks for posting!
TAMD 1
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 1/10/2023
Sooo beautiful. Steve Lightle, you left us too soon.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 1/16/2023
Wow - superb Lightle piece! Rachel is incredibly striking here, but she's all but upstaged by that amazing phoenix energy swell behind her. And I'm right with you about leaving out the eye, because this allows for Rachel's head to assume that role. Fantastic execution: never mind the eye of the storm, she's in the eye of the Phoenix here... A beautiful and explosive piece, F M, and a fitting tribute to / reminder of a talent we lost. Congrats (and thank you for sharing)!
Shane Bailey
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 1/23/2023
1991 Marvel Series 2 Trading Card art! Nice piece!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 4/12/2023
Great Lightle example - he did an especially great job with female superheroes!
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