top of page

"We're on the cusp of learning more of Justin Zane's past. Steve Lightle has been dangling this carrot and we're finally learning more! This is a great series!"

Gary L. Beck Dallaghan

12/18/2016


Thank you, Gary!  I'm happy that you are enjoying the unfolding of the mystery.  
You are right.  There are big revelations just around the corner!

"I binge read all of Justin Zane yesterday. I'm not going anywhere!
There's this depth of ideas but your main characters are kind of iconic. Justin is the strong troubled brooding male lead. Glimmer is the smart hot woman and Catrina is a furry."

Steve Moore 

1/1/2017


Catrina Fellina is simple at first glance, but even she has some unexpected depths to explore. "A furry," huh? We used to call them anthropomorphic characters - sometimes we'd call them funny animals.

"JUSTiN ZANE is only getting better, and I thought that was impossible!"

Joseph Graves

12/30/2016

"JUSTiN ZANE is an exciting & solid space-faring read by the Legion master himself; Colourfully retro & rich with allusion to today's world and beyond-- & lovely detailing that could only be Lightle. Classic!"

​

Stefano Junior

1/1/2017

​

​

"I really wanna see the backstory now to the Pantheon's attempted invasion. Like the Clone Wars, the invasion is obviously an important part to the overall world of JUSTiN ZANE. 
And please, don't kill Glimmer!"

 

Mike Pratt

1/4/2017

I do have plans to tell more stories set during and around the Pantheon's conquering of Earth. Make no mistake, it wasn't simply an attempt.  The Pantheon enslaved Earth, until the events you see in Episode 49.

​

This looks so amazing! ... I think the name The Power Corps is such a perfect name for a team.

Travis Ellisor

4/3/2017

"Seriously mind blowing latest edition!"

Anthony Madge
4/5/2017

I guess that mind blowing is an appropriate term for JUSTiN ZANE.  It seems that the more he learns about his own history the crazier it looks!

"Good to see Glimmer made it through safely...so far? But I can't help wondering what state she's going to find Justin in when he emerges from the shadows, and what that might mean for her safety after all!"


Mike Pratt
4/12/2017


Even though Doctor Starborn is intelligent and tenacious people can't stop worrying about her health.  Who can blame them for being concerned? Just look at the situations she finds herself in!

"Based on what I've read so far, there is no shortage of richness of imaginative detail, which puts you in the same class as Lucas, Roddenberry, Rowling, Tolkien, Lee & Kirby, and the other universe-builders whose work animates the interest and affection of sf/f fandoms. More power to you, Steve."

Orson Welk
4/13/2017

I think that the great thing about fiction is its ability to take us into unexplored realms.  I love those fictional universes that are so detailed that they inspire the reader to imagine new things.  The creators you mention are certainly masters at doing just that. I'm flattered at the impressive company that you've placed me in.  Thanks for your vote of confidence!

"Fricking dope, and a heart touching issue in one! 
Question. In the 3rd panel, towards the right side. Is that a golden snake with a tongue out?"


Anthony Madge

4/12/2017
 

You have sharp eyes, Anthony!  That certainly is the shape of a snake rising up out of the "Proto-Form" programmable medium.
Ah, the wonders of modern science! What will they think of next?

"Good sci-fi comics are rare, even now when Hollywood's interest in finding new properties for summer movies is at its peak.  JUSTiN ZANE is one you should check out, by Steve Lightle, one of the top writer-artists in comics for the last 35 years. Get in now so when the eventual movie is made you can say you were into it before everyone else!"

Joe Thomann

4/13/2017

I like the way you think, Joe.  
Reserve your theater tickets now!

"The body of your work speaks volumes of your soul and character... It's not surprising... you put so much into your craft that it starts to become a reflection of yourself."

Scott Lubecki

6/07/2017 

Thank you for your kind words.  I can't begin to tell you what they mean to me.

"I love the character designs you've come up with for this strip. Every player is unique and stylish and looks like they have a story to tell."

J. Kevin Carrier

8/10/2017


I really like to imagine that each character is the star of his own story. If you look at it that way, there are no bit players and no throw away characters.

"The clock is running. Can it be stopped, and can everyone escape in time?"

Wayne Garmil

8/26/2017


I'm afraid you'll have to hang in there a little longer.  Only Glimmer knows for sure!

"OMG I want to turn the page but I can't...
Steve, once enough material for a first issue is gathered, can you make it available for purchase as a printed comic?"

David Branson

5/31/2017

My plan is to make the first story available in print, in the form of a table top graphic novel.
Hang in there!  We are getting very close!

 

"Totally get an "ALIEN" vibe from this chapter! Chroneouz is downright creepy and I can almost see him moving through the shadows, even in these static images! 
It's very cool how you can go from sci-fi-psychedelia in the last chapter to outright horror in this one."

Mike Pratt

6/14/2017


Genre labels can be very misleading.  It seems to me that most stories are a mix of

the aspects you would find in drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, etc.  
Real life is made of a mixture of these elements.  We just hope for more romance than horror most of the time.
Your comparison to Ridley Scott's movie "Alien" is a great example.  Is it a horror movie with elements of Science Fiction, or the other way around?

​

"(Episode #59) looks very cool, Steve! You are such a talent!"

Ed Catto

9/19/2017

 

Ed, every time I sit down to draw I have the sudden fear that I've forgotten everything that I ever learned. I work through that until I've managed to create something. Then I quietly hope it entertains.
Thanks for letting me know that you are still
enjoying the effort. It means a lot to me.

"I know y'all know that LSH fave Steve Lightle is doing an indy webcomic called Justin Zane. It's trippy and meta and Woodstock. I'm supporting him on Patreon and you should too. No affiliation, just a fan!"  

Steve Moore

11/14/2017

Thanks for the endorsement, Steve!  I couldn't do this alone!

"I have read all the episodes now, it is fun and addictive!
Good way to tell the story, now you have me waiting for the next episode! Cool bad guy and the way he is presented. Neat story structure!
I
recommend Justine Zane - a fun read! go for it!"

David Michel

12/14/2017

"I've just read up until two A.M. and I'm blown away!  Man, it's so free in approach- more like Heavy Metal or even, dare I say, Moebius?
I've been thinking a lot about singular voices versus team projects, this is a fine example of a singular voice, idiosyncratic, charming and so well executed!"

Silas Dixon

12/17/2017
 
As a reader I've always enjoyed the risky feeling of going into the unbridled imagination of a storyteller. As a creator, that's the kind of story that I want to tell!

"Thanks for posting this (Comic Culture Video Interview) - I wouldn't have seen it otherwise. I'm one of the ones who didn't make the "just insane" connection - so obvious now that you said it! And btw, my favorites are the Idle Reich, so please don't kill them off either!"

Cramer Gefren

12/13/2017

can tell you that The Idle Reich isn't done yet - but nobody is safe while Doctor Cranius is running free in the TOMBS!

I don’t know how you feel about it, and I don’t mean to belittle your previous work in any way (you are, after all, a professional who’s been drawing for a lifetime!), but I think your art on Justin Zane is continually getting better and better!  Episode 57 has a great layout that just feels completely organic while you’re reading it.  Your pages are a perfect marriage of design and content, man. And I find that truly impressive.  Episode 59 (like so many others) has an incredible amount of action packed into a small space. I love the composition of panels 2 & 3, especially, and all that good Kirbyosity of panel 7. I am constantly amazed by how Patreon requires you to make each one page installment look good on its own (while also telling the story), and how you consistently rise to that challenge and deliver. I mean, the three minute pop song, the three-panel comic strip, and haiku are other examples of limited forms that convey a lot of content, but not everybody can manage that. And you’ve mastered it. Serious props and kudos to you!
Other art-related things I have been enjoying: (1) The colors; (2) the character design work on the members of the Idle Reich; (3) The kid-style art when Justin is flashing back to his childhood (e.g. episodes 29 and 32). Thanks for making such good and interesting choices.

I also want to comment on what I think is going on thematically in Justin Zane.  Justin’s imprisonment in the Tombs, his interactions with Dr. Cranius, and his problems with epistemology and doubt have echoes for me of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” lp and almost everything I’ve read or seen from Philip K. Dick. I’m not sure if you have personal experience with therapy and the mental health establishment, but I think the discourse of Justin Zane echoes a lot of 20th century concerns about the potential for depersonalization under the regime of Modernity. Justin’s subjectivity – his self-esteem issues, his uncertainty about his identity, his inability to control his developing abilities – all of that feels like teenager stuff to me  As such, Justin is a very “relatable” character.  I can certainly identify with the thematic and emotional content of Justin Zane, and in that way it feels like it is pitched at me and other people of my g-g-g-generation (ha ha). But there’s also a hint of manga/anime stylings (especially with Glimmer and Catrina) that makes me think you are pitching it at younger people, or at least trying to make it appealing to them. Of course, I suppose you want as many people as possible to read and appreciate it.
One of the things that troubles me about American popular culture is that almost all of our narratives are based on the premise that the ends justify the means (which is by no means a settled matter). I'm pleased to see that is not the case here. Anyway, Mateo’s/Justin’s predicament hinges partly on his own assessment of his worth. Of course, the notion that a weakling babe possesses the secret to salvation is both iconic and timeless.

Another thing I like about Justin Zane is the way that the saga takes up with our title character hospitalized with amnesia, so that we discover his reality as he discovers it.
With Justin we have a powerful but vulnerable child-figure as our protagonist.  It is a story that seems to resonate thematically as if it were part of an eternal musical chord.  It is at one time both hauntingly familiar and deeply unique to the medium.
Please continue the adventures of Justin Zane and Glimmer Starborn beyond these first episodes.  I expect to follow their exploits for years.


Kenneth Anderson
12/28/2017

"I love seeing the story from other "supporting" characters' points of view! What a great cast you've created here!"

Russell Burbage

12/26/2017


It's very rewarding to see this comment.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, There are no extras or background characters in this story - or in life!  Everyone is the star of their own story and it just depends on our perspective.  I like to think that each character has the potential to step into the spotlight.

Steve packs more pure "WOW" in a page than most do in an issue. Subscribe and Go JUSTiN ZANE!!!!!


Joseph Graves
2/7/2018

The story catches your attention right away and you can not wait for the next page.  Great art showing great visual technique!
Rock n rola space opera!

David Michel 

4/3/2018

Thank you, David.  I really appreciate the support and encouragement that I get from JUSTiN ZANE's subscribers!

If my comics friends haven't read Justin Zane, you should check it out. Steve Lightle is doing phenomenal work here.  Angst, Sci-Fi, and Rock and Roll!  Plus, engaging characterization and some incredible page design.

Orson Welk

4/3/2018

More anxiety than you can shake a trembling stick at!  LOL!

JUSTiN ZANE is like nothing else! A tour de force of individual brilliance by the amazing Steve Lightle.

Joseph Graves

8/15/2019

bottom of page