F.M. :: LIGHTLE STEVE-FLASH 226 COMPLETE ISSUE

Flash 226 page 12 splash by Steve Lightle

Artist: Steve Lightle (Penciller)

12 Comments - 354 Views - 13 Likes

Flash 226 page 12 splash by Steve Lightle Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Flash 226 page 12 splash by Steve Lightle
Artist:	Steve Lightle (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	354
Likes on CAF:	13 14
Comments:	12
Added to Site:	5/7/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

A fantastic splash from this full issue by the ever-great Steve Lightle who made superb use of verticality and layouts here.

Some context first, which will become evident by just looking carefully at the page without even needing to read it: Wally is sick as a dog here and going to the rescue to some fellow mountaineers during a snowstorm.

The first panel both establishes the mountain surroundings during the storm and subtlety underlines that Flash is sick. Because while it will be more obvious in the following panels, I find that the hectic path of his run, the mountain sides seemingly closing in on him and the super erratic and angular way that Lightle chose to portray the speed force effect all indicate his bad physical state. Let’s also note the depth that this first panel conveys to the whole scene.

The second panel is the obvious money shot and yet, everything is wrong with our hero. To indicate that, Lightle drew him slightly off center, with his left hand seemingly reaching to the reader for help. He looks like he is close to tripping and falling. His face is fantastic, semi closed eyes, dripping with feverish sweat. You'll note that even the inks are grittier here, with a more wavering line, again to underline how the character is feeling.

The third panel offers a close up on our feverish hero, he really looks out of breath here. He is straining to be heroic against the sickness and the elements. Cutting his face off the camera also serves to underline both his physical strain and his speed.

In terms of layout, Lightle made some great choices to enhance the sense of fever and chaos.

All three panels interact by some element overlapping each one, creating a fluid sense of continuity in the reading, leading the eye from top to bottom, from the left to the right. The rocks in the first overlapping the second, which is by the way clearly delineated by two borders and a white absence of backgrounds to stand against the heavy inks of the first panel. Then his hand and speed force effect leading the eye to the overlapped third panel. All this creates a sense of dynamism and immersion for the reader within the page and these are conscious choices of a master storyteller thinking of everything to serve the story visually.

The rich black inks and apt use of negative space are to be noted as well.

Drawing well is one thing in the comics industry and most could argue that any published artist qualifies to some degree. Being able to tell a story clearly visually, hopefully dynamically is paramount and should come first in the skills an artist needs to be published. And yet, not all of them qualify in that degree, sadly and it seems that less and less do. Lightle was an expert at both skills.

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Joined:	May 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	BELGIUM
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Comments on this Artwork

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Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

2 - Posted on 5/7/2023

I love your panel by panel breakdowns because you do a great job explaining the storytelling to the layman. The problem though, is that by the time I've read everything there's usually nothing else I can add because you've already said it all! Nevertheless, this is indeed a great page in an all around well told story, which definitely landed in the right collection!

Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 5/7/2023

Love the '58 Chevy analogy. Cool looking page!!

Christopher Daley
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 5/7/2023

LOVE Steve's work on Flash.

Thanks for sharing

Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 5/7/2023

Incredible panel layouts and overall composition. Further cementing the fact that Lightle had some serious storytelling chops even though his gorgeous cover work is what he's best remembered for.

Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 5/7/2023

Another winner beautiful page!

Mark V
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 5/8/2023

Everything you'd want in a Lightle page.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 5/8/2023

Whether it's a trail of lightning or trail of drool, we're following with Lightle's camera shots that has the The Flash going away and reaching out in desperation before time runs out on him.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 5/8/2023

Clear the Flash has seen better days and it works oh so well artistically for this moment! It's like he's reaching out in desperation in that middle panel. Congrats!

Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 5/9/2023

GREAT write up, F M, and you're not mistaken: Steve was a fantastic storyteller! I love the word balloon placement in panel 1, and how the viewer's eye can easily hop on the lightning bolt there to follow it (and Wally's trek) right up the mountain. Because the reader is "far-focused" on Wally's tiny figure there, slipping over to panel 2 pops the Flash forward even more dramatically (especially with that left hand of his breaking through the border into panel 3). I also really like how the Flash seems to get lower and lower in every panel (same with the caption boxes) as he is weighed down by the sickness, fatigue, and effort required to climb the mountain (a task one would normally expect to pose no problem to the Flash). Beautiful! What a great pick up this book was! Sincere congrats, F M!

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 5/9/2023

I actually remember this page very well. It's stuck in my brain, because that first panel really grabbed me as a kid. It's weird, but even remember where I was sitting when I read it. Man, your breakdown of art is always top-notch. You should write a book on the art of visual storytelling in comics, if you haven't already. Great insights, amazing art!

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 5/9/2023

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Lightle is one of the best to ever work in comics. I just wish he had done a lot more and hadn't left us so young.

The Comic Art Agency Alex
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 5/10/2023

that's some serious Lightle!

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