What are readers saying about JUSTiN ZANE?
Beautiful storytelling and designs, as expected, Steve! And the story itself is very different than anything I'm seeing out there. You've got me hooked. I think the glossary section is a great idea-- highlighting the uniqueness of the universe you're creating.
- Terry Kavanagh
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Steve Lightle is one of my top favorite comics artists of all time and I do mean TOP favorites! His work in Legion of Super-Heroes is the stuff of legends and I'm proud to call him a friend on Facebook.
His art is... it has a dynamic fluidity, a sense of balance from the smallest detail to the biggest double spread that makes it absolutely beautiful. Yes, beautiful!
His own personal project, Justin Zane is beyond "good old space opera" . It's good and beautiful space opera with an edge. It's weird, wacky, deep, sensational and its sense of wonder is... bursting at the seams.
When a great artist is free to create his/her vision, the result is often more spectacular than what one sees in comics from the big companies. No online comic by a professional is better than this. No, it simply doesn't get any better than Justin Zane! - Dion Tzavaras
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Steve has been a well-known name in comics since the 80's. For my money, he's currently doing some of the best art of his career! In this on-going sci-fi series, he explores a very concept-rich, futuristic universe.
- Kerry Callen
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So here's the thing, comicbook Peepsters: It's Steve Lightle, f'cryin' out loud. Go support his project, all ready!
- Roger McKenzie
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Oooh...I don't like that Dr. Chroneouz (think I spelled that right?)! But I am liking the progress of the story, Steve. 12 chapters in and so many questions need answering: how does Justin Zane have powers and what are they? What does Dr. C want with him and what exactly is his true face? How much of what we've seen is really happening and how much is in Justin's head? And I still love Dr. Starborn! Can't wait for the next chapter!
- Mike Pratt
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You're doing great work that need to be seen, Steve. I re-read it just a couple of nights ago.
- Barry Gregory
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The art is amazing and just keeps you locked in. the characters are on one wild rollercoaster ride and i love it. A shining example of what you can do in comics when you put your heart and soul in it!
- David Johnson Jr.
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(JUSTiN ZANE) is science fiction social & political commentary; a reflection of today & what could be. It's beautiful. It also has retro trippy 90s conspiracy comic feeling with a 80s kind of glamour & pizzazz. & it's beautiful & should be hard bound.
- Stefano Junior
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German Zio Mora produced this fine illustration.
Vladimir envisioned a session between Justin and his doctor.
Darren Taylor imagined our good doctor on the job.
Dean Lee drew Dr. Starborn against a cosmic background.
Tell Me Everything
German Zio Mora lends his artistic talents once again to Doctor Glimmer Starborn.
This reminds me of Heavy Metal magazine, in the best possible way.
- Mark Amidon
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Steve Lightle is one of my favorite non-me good girl and all around artist types, and he's got a new strip going.
- Will Meugniot
Ok, so I finally had some time to re-read JZ.
Obviously, the art is topnotch. Don't even think that was in question. I think I mentioned previously that I loved how in those 2 instances where Justin starts losing control, you switch coloring styles, with the marker (?) strokes more choppy to show his mental state. Very cool.
Am I wrong in assuming JZ taking his name from the Idle Reich's song isn't a random touch, but in fact ties him to the Reich closer than we think? And does the logo in his name and on his clothing mean anything as well? And why would I assume you'll answer these questions here instead of in the actual story? Fans are so silly!
I'm intrigued by the backstory of the Mind Wars/The Pantheon/Rebearth. It hearkens back to the mystery of the Clone Wars in the first Star Wars. Any plans to explore that in the story, or is that going to be left to our imagination?
And why do I feel Chroneouz is a member of the Pantheon, hiding in plain sight? That explains his appearance when he first confronts JZ, as well as the illusion of a dead Doctor Starborn. The Pantheon do have mental powers, correct? (BTW, not that I mind, but why was Glimmer naked when she dropped the imaging in her session with JZ? Again, not that I mind?)
And I really appreciate how you took the time to come up with a new take on language/slang. It helps set it apart from other books and helps with the setting in the far future.
If I have any complaint (which I really don't!), it would be that a couple of the "time slips" confused me as to what happened when, or if at all. It could just be I wasn't paying as close attention as I should, or I ain't all that bright!
Like, when JZ has just rescued Glimmer and Catrina, and then we cut back to the present (?) where Catrina is still with the Idle Reich and I believe Glimmer is back talking to JZ before Chroneouz confronts him. I know non-linear storytelling is a way to keep people on their toes, but I'm just not sure what it means in relation to what we've already seen (or are about to).
But that's really just a tiny thing in the overall adventure that is JUSTiN ZANE. I'm really loving this story so far, and it's great seeing your art on a new, regular basis on something you're obviously enjoying. I will definitely pick this up in monthly/trade or however you end up packaging it. Once I get some things in order I'll look into the Patreon thing.
Thanks again, Steve, for giving us a very cool, unique story. I hope we're all able to do enough to keep it going for as long as you want.
- Mike Pratt
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First, I want to thank everyone who has written in to comment on JUSTiN ZANE. Whether your comments are here on this page, on my Patreon account, or on Facebook. I really do like hearing from my readers.
Your words are both encouraging and inspiring for me.
Now, since Mr. Pratt took the time to ask some questions, I'm going to attempt to answer a couple of them.
Mike, as you guessed, there are some questions that are best left to be answered within the story as it develops. Still, I can help you with some of the others. I'll number my answers just for convenience.
1. The story of the Pantheon and their successful attempt to conquer Earth will be told. It is more than a vague backdrop. The Mind Wars are integral to the story.
2. Why was Doctor Glimmer Starborn nude when she turned off the imaging technology in her office? The answer is simple - because she is comfortable that way. Maybe what you are really wondering is, why would she intentionally allow her patient to see her that way. There are a couple of answers to that question. First, she is literally showing Justin that she is not conceiling anything from him, in an attempt to establish trust. Secondly, nudity may not be as taboo in Rebearth society as it is in the United States in our 21st century.
The opinion of polite society concerning the human body has fluctuated with fashion through the centuries. Those Puritans which settled the Americas believed that the sight of an unadorned human body would certainly incite viewers to acts of immorality. On the other hand, it was common practice for early Christians to hold public baptisms entirely in the nude. To me it seems that our views are determined less by morality and more by popular fashion. Psychologists have long agreed that the subconscious meaning of nudity in our dreams has everything to do with our feelings of vulnerabilty. It's in this way that nudity is frequently represented in episodes of JUSTiN ZANE.
- Steve Lightle
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Can I mention how well proportioned your men are? Not overly muscular and huge but pretty nice looking.
- Stacey Gargus
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I'm late to the party but so glad I've arrived. Just finished all published chapters for Justin Zane and I'm loving it! First of all, the artwork is simply amazing. And it's real art. The visuals and dynamic colors combined with an engaging story are making for one heck of a ride!
Thank you sir for all of your hard work into what is clearly a labor of love.
- Rich Chamberlain
You will make no loss
But yes, you can gain
From reading Lightle's
JUSTiN ZANE
It's the very best comic
And that's all I'm sayin'
You'll get on the Internet
JUSTiN ZANE
Fall in love with his story
And it'll stay in your brain
You'll be sayin' it ev'ry day
JUSTiN ZANE
Other comics can't touch
Writing and art of fame
As what's here in the net
JUSTiN ZANE
So come on, get your fix
Glimmer Starborn's game
Can analyse me any time
JUSTiN ZANE.
- Johnni Stanton
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It's very rare nowadays to feel excited about a comic book, but Justin Zane feels both modern and very familiar to me. It's a very special, unique project from a very special, unique artist; with a vision! A beautiful, intelligent, spectacular vision.
If this were a science fiction novel - and it could have been; it's that rich a story, a universe - it'd definitely be a top favorite of mine. Yes, the story is that good too, it's not just the amazing art. It's what comics, scifi comics are about, as far as I'm concerned.
-Dion Tzavaros
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"Steve Lightle has been one of the best artists in comics for a long time. If you're not reading his webcomic JUSTiN ZANE, then you better have a damned good explanation."
- Barry Gregory
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Steve Lightle is not just a good guy, he's one of my favorite comic book artists EVER. And he is doing the best work of his career on his independent comic JUSTiN ZANE, which you can follow by backing him on Patreon.
If you love his work, or just beautiful SF art in general, it's worth a look.
- James Artimus Owen
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"In addition to hounding Steve incessantly, it was great to be able to chat with him and tell him how much I loved his work. It was also interesting to hear about his creator-owned work Justin Zane and the effort that entails. Besides writing, drawing, coloring, lettering and editing, He's also a one-man public relations operation. It seems like the definition of a thankless job.
Steve's a tremendous talent. Check out his Doom Patrol. Check out his Legion covers. Check out his Flash covers. Check out his Classic X-Men covers. This weekend, thinking he hasn't drawn the Justice League enough, I found a gorgeous Aztek cover he did featuring the team. I'm in awe of the man."
- George Gene Gustines (Author/reporter/columnist)
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