Legion of Super-Heroes #22

Legion of Super-Heroes #22, published in 1986, serves as a pivotal entry in the second volume of the long-running DC Comics series. This era was defined by the editorial direction of Paul Levitz and the distinctive art style of Steve Lightle, who took over primary penciling duties during this period. The narrative follows the team's intricate interpersonal dynamics and galactic politics, fitting into the larger continuity of the DC Universe as it navigated the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths landscape.

The issue highlights the creative team’s commitment to expansive, character-driven storytelling, which had been the hallmark of the Legion since the 1970s. Lightle’s contribution to the title is frequently cited by fans and scholars for bringing a softer, more atmospheric aesthetic to the sci-fi setting, contrasting with the more rigid house styles of the time. The issue remains a well-regarded piece of 1980s comic history, celebrated for balancing high-concept space opera with the grounded personal dramas of the teenage heroes.