Flash 226 page 1 splash by Steve Lightle

This is the opening splash page to Flash 226 by the late Steve Lightle who left us exactly one year ago. If it wasn't clear, uploading this art (today) is my way of paying my respect to his artistic memory.

(Please refer to this gallery description to read my feelings about owning the art to this full issue)

It's a cliché at this point to use this formula but I find that the splash does a tremendous job at pulling the reader into the action straight away. You open the book and bam!, you immediately rush into it along the Flash (Wally in this instance).

Everything that needs to be visually understood is instantly crystal clear despite the velocity conveyed in the scene: the hero rushing in, the swat team on the scene, the hostage situation in the background.

I love the strong design element of the page, especially the top with both the hero masked and in his secret identity. Both aspects are linked by a (speed force) lightning which then rejoins the others generated by the Flash running to the scene. This is a brilliant way to focus the reader's eye exactly where it should be and this subtly augments the readability of the scene which is busy with information.

You'll note by examining the faces above the page that the art is a bit more cartoony than Steve's usual, especially on, the hero's Buzz Lightyear chin.

Let's also mention the superb high contrast inking by Steve inking himself as he did during the second half of his career.

A fun comic trivia bit, this issue is written by (another) storyteller extraordinaire: Stuart Immonen with I assume his to be wife, Kathryn. I would love to know their thoughts on working with such a talented artist as Steve at the early stage of their writing careers and on the artistic result.

I'll conclude by thanking the previous owner of that full issue, whose identity he/she will chose to disclose (or not) on his/her own...

...and of course by thanking Steve Lightle for all the beautiful pages and covers and the splendid storytelling. Your artistic legacy lives on and is certainly not forgotten.