X-Men Classic Issue 51 Cover - Steve Lightle
Artist: Steve Lightle (All)
44 Comments - 865 Views - 43 Likes
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DescriptionBig milestone for me here because this issue was either the first or second comic I ever bought with "my own" money. Till then, I was relegated to the whims and benevolence of my parents and whatever summer vacation reading they bestowed on me :) Not having access to back issues, X-Men Classic (or Classic X-Men) really helped fill in the gaps in X-lore for me. It was pretty fantastic reading UXM in real-time and having back story filled in by these Classic books. The interior story here by Claremont & Cockrum is probably why I love Storm as much as I do.Lightle's work on this series was iconic and my first exposure to him. Holding this original in hand and being able to see the work done on duo-shade board is a real treat. Doom and Wolverine get the treatment here to accentuate the getting fried by lightning look. This had to be an incredibly tedious/meticulous process but speaks to the level of craft brought to his work. Side note: So many people I talk to refer to this book as Classic X-Men. I've always referred to it as X-Men Classic because that's what the logo placement indicates. It wasn't till later that I noticed they made a conscious shift in Issue 46 to move the "Classic" below "X-Men" and kept it that way since. I'd love to hear if there was a backstory to that re-branding. Social/Sharing |
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Steve Day Vich 
Member Since 2007
2 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Lightle could have been a contender if only he could work a little faster. Anything I've seen of his has all been gorgeous.
Simon M.
Member Since 2003
2 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Steve Day Vich wrote:
Lightle could have been a contender if only he could work a little faster. Anything I've seen of his has all been gorgeous.
Seconded - the guy had a some serious talent and it's a shame he was mostly a cover or pinup guy and never got a go at a big story. But he had a great run on these covers! Congrats Eranga on a great one! Classic X-Men all the way!
CommanderInBeef
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Congrats E! Nothing better than satiating both a nostalgic and a collecting desire at once....so happy for u!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
GOREGOUS Lightle cover, wow man - huge congrats, epic pickup!
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Migs DC wrote:
Congrats. I prefer this to the original.
Migsy! My partner in crime and emotional art support buddy - thanks for making it easier to buy this after watching you ALSO indulge that weekend :)
Carl Choi
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Amazing piece of history and very memorable. Congrats!!!
André .
Member Since 2015
2 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Maybe the nostalgia just hits me more with Classic, but I think the covers often hit harder than the originals, including this one. Just excellent.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 5/29/2025
André . wrote:
Maybe the nostalgia just hits me more with Classic, but I think the covers often hit harder than the originals, including this one. Just excellent.
I think thats definitely true for readers of a certain vintage like us :)
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Absolugtely Gorgeous! Huge Congrats!
Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Storm putting down some whoopass for everybody. Love it! And agreed, this original has so much more to see than the printed issue. Congrats on scoring one of the pieces that contributed so heavily to the fan you are today!
Daryl R
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Holy smokes! I too would fall down at her feet! Congrats on a nostalgic pickup and also a great piece of art!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
In the 80s and 90s names like Adams, Byrne, Lee, Liefeld, McFarlane, Miller, and Perez seemed to overshadow almost everyone else in the industry. But Lightle's talents could not be denied. That's why even among those artistic giants, we hold Steve's work in such high regard today. I've done a lot of really stupid things in my 40 years of collecting. But selling my one and only Classic X-Men cover by Lightle surely makes the top ten of my bonehead mistakes. LOL (And yes, my cover still said Classic X-Men, weird.) Congrats on this amazing score E.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
Posted on 5/29/2025
E DLS wrote:
In the 80s and 90s names like Adams, Byrne, Lee, Liefeld, McFarlane, Miller, and Perez seemed to overshadow almost everyone else in the industry. But Lightle's talents could not be denied. That's why even among those artistic giants, we hold Steve's work in such high regard today. I've done a lot of really stupid things in my 40 years of collecting. But selling my one and only Classic X-Men cover by Lightle surely makes the top ten of my bonehead mistakes. LOL (And yes, my cover still said Classic X-Men, weird.) Congrats on this amazing score E.
Do you remember which issue the cover you had was from? From the sounds of it, probably pre-46?
Jason D'Ambrosio
Member Since 2018
4 - Posted on 5/29/2025
I love this and I am SO happy for you ! Congratulations!
The change from Classic X-men to X-men Classics was I a decision made becuase of the alphabet.. they wanted the title to be lumped in the "x-men" section on both retailor order forms and newstand placement.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Jason D'Ambrosio wrote:
I love this and I am SO happy for you ! Congratulations!
The change from Classic X-men to X-men Classics was I a decision made becuase of the alphabet.. they wanted the title to be lumped in the "x-men" section on both retailor order forms and newstand placement.
Mystery solved! Thanks, Jay!
Matt Dicke
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Always referred to is as CLassic X-men. and yeah all those Art adams covers, or Mignola ones were a huge draw, that said Steve is under rated an did some really special covers. This was definitely a stand out in the run. And I thought you were going to drop all your Como pick ups but na, you decided on a mic drop piece!
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
Posted on 5/29/2025
Matt Dicke wrote:
Always referred to is as CLassic X-men. and yeah all those Art adams covers, or Mignola ones were a huge draw, that said Steve is under rated an did some really special covers. This was definitely a stand out in the run. And I thought you were going to drop all your Como pick ups but na, you decided on a mic drop piece!
Haha well this deal was done at Como so it still counts!!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
4 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Tonight you're mine completely
You give Storm love so sweetly
Tonight the Lightle love is in your eyes
But will you love me Ororo?
Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a Claremont's pleasure?
Can I believe the Classic of your thighs?
Will Doom still love me Ororo?
Tonight with works of X-Men
You say that I've got Wolvie fun
But will my art be Cockrum
When the line (when the line)
Meets the second (meets the second) run?
I'd like to know that your love
Is a lore I can be sure of
So tell me now, and I won't ask Logan
Will you still love me Ororo?
So tell me now, and I won't ask Logan
Will you still love Steve’s Ororo?
Will Doom still love Steve’s Ororo?
Will you still love Steve….
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
An X-Cellent cover by one of the greatest cover artists of the 1980's! Pretty huge piece to get, man, congrats! Lightle did a beautiful run on Legion of Superheroes, but after that didn't tend to do many issues of whatever titles he jumped onto. I was thrilled to see him take over on Classic X-Men though, because I always said that all he needed was a shot at something like X-Men to propel him into the stratosphere of popularity with fans. Unfortunately, this cover gig only served to help him get more cover art for the most part, but I believe the monthly grind was something he just couldn't keep up with anyway, which is a big part of the reason he was primarily a cover artist after his Legion run ended.
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
An X-Cellent cover by one of the greatest cover artists of the 1980's! Pretty huge piece to get, man, congrats! Lightle did a beautiful run on Legion of Superheroes, but after that didn't tend to do many issues of whatever titles he jumped onto. I was thrilled to see him take over on Classic X-Men though, because I always said that all he needed was a shot at something like X-Men to propel him into the stratosphere of popularity with fans. Unfortunately, this cover gig only served to help him get more cover art for the most part, but I believe the monthly grind was something he just couldn't keep up with anyway, which is a big part of the reason he was primarily a cover artist after his Legion run ended.
Thanks for filling in some of Steve's backstory, man. Although not a fan of DC, I feel I need to pick up his Legion run now just to see what else I was missing out on with him as a sequential artist. The little I've seen (mostly from FM's gallery) have been spectacular.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
Eranga Devasurendra wrote:
Thanks for filling in some of Steve's backstory, man. Although not a fan of DC, I feel I need to pick up his Legion run now just to see what else I was missing out on with him as a sequential artist. The little I've seen (mostly from FM's gallery) have been spectacular.
Yeah, for sure, bro. If you're a big fan of his work, it would be great to have all of his Legion run even if only to flip through and admire the art. Here's a small sampling: https://13thdimension.com/13-covers-a-steve-lightle-tribute/
Steve Lawrence
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Great cover by Lightle on this one. I think his cover work on the X-Men Classic series is under appreciated. Congrats on the pick up.
Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/29/2025
Wow! That's a terrific milestone achievement!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
It will not surprise you that to me, Lightle is/was on the same level as many of the big name artists cited in the comments. He was just immensely good and his work on LSH blew my mind away as a kid/teen.
So this is a superb piece and a (very) jealous congrats :)
(and your story just exemplifies how intrinsically evil parents are in that they don't respect nor even care for comics continuity ;)
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
F M wrote:
It will not surprise you that to me, Lightle is/was on the same level as many of the big name artists cited in the comments. He was just immensely good and his work on LSH blew my mind away as a kid/teen.
So this is a superb piece and a (very) jealous congrats :)
(and your story just exemplifies how intrinsically evil parents are in that they don't respect nor even care for comics continuity ;)
Thanks, man! The only real exposure I had to Steve's interiors is coincidentally the Flash and Quasar OA you have in your gallery. He really had the chops but as others have mentioned, his speed probably relegated him to the cover artist he's most known for.
I can also confirm that my parents' respect for comics (continuity or otherwise) was non-existent till recent years where they saw how much of an influence they had on my life :)
Alberto Gonzalez
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
GORGEOUS cover for Classic X-Men!!! Lightle did amazing work and deserves way more recognition!! Congratulations!
Paul Brzegowy
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 5/30/2025
Lightle was really underrated but his cover work was really eye catching.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 6/2/2025
Now this is a ballet I'd actually watch! Pure drama - congrats E!!!
TAMD 1
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 6/4/2025
You must be my lucky star
"Cause you shine on me wherever you are
I just think of you and I start to glow
And I need your Lightle, and baby, you know
Star Lightle, star bright, first star I see tonight
Star Lightle, star bright, make everything all right
Star Lightle, star bright, first star I see tonight
Star Lightle, star bright, yeah
Fisch Benz
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 6/5/2025
This is an absolute stunner. I still regret not buying it in 2018. Not many pages give me 7 years of regret. So glad it's in your collection!
Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020
Posted on 6/5/2025
Fisch Benz wrote:
This is an absolute stunner. I still regret not buying it in 2018. Not many pages give me 7 years of regret. So glad it's in your collection!
I think this may still be in your collection if youd bought it in 2018. ORRRR you wouldve let your bud have it at SPECIAL PRICE for youuuuu only, friendo
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 6/7/2025
Amazing piece! Major congrats on achieving a great milestone!
Mario Losada
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 6/21/2025
Great cover by Steve Lightle for the best collection in the world, the x-men.
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