Steve Lightle, known for his iconic runs as an artist on DC's Legion of Super-Heroes and Doom Patrol, has passed away at the age of 61 due to cardiac arrest.

Matthew Lightle, Steve Lightle's son, made the announcement on his father's Facebook account. "This is Matthew Lightle, Steve lightle's son. This morning my father passed away from Cardiac Arrest," Matthew Lightle said. "I wished to thank you all for your friendship to my father, and also to ask that if you are a patreon follower, please cancel your account as we are just beginning to take care of his affairs."

After beginning his comics career with a story in AC Comics' Black Diamond #4 in 1984, Lightle transitioned to DC Comics, illustrating a 10-page story in New Talent Showcase #4. Later that year, Lightle became the new artist on Legion of Super-Heroes, replacing Keith Giffen. He drew interiors for Legion of Super-Heroes for two years, between 1984-1988, while also doing covers. During his time on Legion of Super-Heroes, Lightle co-created Legionnaires Tellus and Quislet, and he was a part of the creative team behind the death of Legionnaire Karate Kid.

Lightle also had a tenure as the cover artist for Marvel's Classic X-Men (retitled X-Men Classic) from 1989 to 1990.

"One of the greatest things about the Legion is the diversity of its cast," Lightle told CBR during a 2002 interview. "I like different characters for their unique qualities. There is an awkwardness about Brainiac 5 that makes him an endearing character, despite his vastly superior intellect. Timber Wolf has a vitality, and a potential for ferocity, that makes him interesting. Umbra has a dignity that she carries with her, and a seriousness that masks some intriguing insecurities. Livewire is a confident, and sometimes brash powerhouse. There is an untapped complexity to Valor that I only touched on in the story, 'Back Home In Hell.' I'd like to have the chance to develop the submerged contradictions that lie deep beneath his noble exterior. And then there's Quislet ... (laughter)"