Doom Patrol illustration by Steve Lightle
Artist: Steve Lightle (All)
14 Comments - 316 Views - 19 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionToday marks the 4 years “anniversary” of Steve Lightle’s untimely passing, so I thought appropriate to share this rare(ly seen) color piece by him to continue honouring his artistic legacy.Steve Lightle drew a much too short run on the 80s Doom Patrol revival before exciting the title over disappointment on where it was going creatively but foremost because of broken promises made to him by DC editorials. And yet his art was really impressive as always on that title and if one has to command him for staying true to his artistic integrity, we can only lament on the shortness of his tenure. According to Steve, this was one of dozens of color pieces he would send to editors in hope of getting work. And while editors would actually need to see sequential examples from an artist they’d consider hiring, I can’t imagine their reaction upon receiving that kind of quality work. This certainly did not sit at the bottom of a pile and is clear proof of how fully formed Steve emerged out of fandom after producing his own fanzines. The date indicates that this is very close/concomitant with his first published work for Americomics and his first published work for DC. Apparently, it hanged in Paul Kupperberg’s office for years, again proof of how well received it was at the time. The piece is delightful for being colored by Steve himself. It is a bit overdone in that department IMHO but shows a clear understanding of the medium with gradients and tones within the color work. I especially like Plasmus’ color work in that regard. The composition is quite busy, also a bit overdone but it shows how apt Steve already was at staging action. The surprise of the Brotherhood of villains and their corresponding acting is well done, from Mallah raised arms,Phobia’s face to Houngan seemingly raising his arm to protect himself from the flying debris (BTW, man, just look at how practical that costume is! I mean who would DARE to even go out dressed like that this side of a New Orlans parade? :D) One of the elements I love is Tempest’s limpness in that he is unconscious and it is clearly established here. Plasmus is the key element for me on the piece, looking all monstrous and dripping goo all over his foe. The bursting of Robotman, Changeling/Beast Boy is extremely well done as the proximity of the later indicates how close to the action we are. And for Steve to manage a transformation scene inside such a busy piece is again proof of his storytelling chops. Negative Woman looks aptly creepy. When you consider all this, it seems obvious a choice that Steve was chosen to relaunch the series’ volume 2 and it is easy to speculate that this very piece played a part in that decision. This was mentioned in Steve’s interview in Twomorrow’s Back Issue 65 and published in the Doom Patrol bronze age omnibus. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Miki Annamanthadoo 
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Really nice color work by Steve! Great to see it!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Such a fantastic piece! I so wish that I could see the line art without the colour, but it's clear that Lightle didn't have a clear understanding of what editors wanted to see in terms of art submissions and like many other artists of that era, he thought that by also coloring his pinup, figured he was showing editors that he could pencil, ink and also color.
I love the tight but thin feathering lines that define the contours of all the figures. It is precisely that which made me immediately tap Lightle as the next big "star penciller" in comics when I first saw his work. That never quite happened for him unfortunately, for various reasons, but one of them being that he chose to break in at DC, which at the time was having its lunch eaten by Marvel. Imagine this artwork but with X-Men characters instead. Publish a piece like that in Amazing Heroes, Comics Interview or CBG and announce Lightle as taking over Uncanny X-Men, and I have zero doubt his star would've exploded quickly. But I digress.... This is a wonderful piece of DC and Steve Lightle history and it's a real treat to be able to see and enjoy it!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Really cool as the time period would suggest he read New Teen Titans Wolfman/Perez issues where Changeling brought back the Doom Patrol in issue 13 and 14 against the Brotherhood of Evil.
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Wow. I remember reading Legion of Super-Heroes #3 (Baxter edition), and thinking "Who is this guy?" Had never seen his art before but he outshone Keith Giffen right away. I wish he had been fast enough to ink his own pencils on Doom Patrol. While I liked the softer edge Gary Martin gave Lightle's art, pieces like this and pretty much any cover show how good Lightle was on full art.
Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
He was so good. I miss him and his work. Congrats on a great example.
Ted Latner
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Beautiful art -- thanks for posting it! I also wish that Steve's run on Doom Patrol would have lasted longer.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 1/9/2025
Beautiful workmanship by Lightle!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/9/2025
Wow! Fabulous Doom Patriol illustration by the great Steve Lightle! What a cool scene of Doom Patrol dropping in on the Brotherhood of Evil! Love the pose of Robotman tearing a hole in the roof for the Doom Patrol to drop through! Love seeing Changling/Beast Boy swooping in to attack! The Brotherhood seems to be startled by the attack and caught unawares. Strange to think of a talent like Steve Lightle having to send pages of material like this in to editors to interest them in his work. He was so good you'd think they'd hire him the minute they saw his portfolio. Clearlyl, it's a tough business to break in to.
C M-J
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 1/22/2025
I love this art. It's truly sad we lost a brilliantly talented artist too soon.
This would've made a great omnibus cover.
Warmest regards
Colin
New Zealand
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/18/2025
Got the energy, composition, pure illustration, colors...prime Lightle example. Congrats, man.
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