Supervillain Origins: Livewire Origins

This villain was quite a shock to the Man of Steel. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Livewire. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1997's Superman Adventures #5 and was expanded upon in 2006's Action Comics #835. The electrifying villainess Livewire first fought Superman in 1997s Superman Adventures #5, but didn't become an actual part DC Comics Universe until 2006. Why you ask? Livewire was created as a villain for the "Superman: The Animated Series" TV show and made her comics debut in the Superman Adventures comic series – which was not considered part of the official DC Comics Universe. In that issue, Livewire was introduced with no origin or background. When readers opened the comic, they were introduced to a strange blue-skinned girl in a coma. Doctors had left a radio playing by her bedside, and the chauvinistic rantings of a radio shock jock were enough to snap her awake. Livewire was reborn as a fighter for women’s rights. In that role, she literally took over the airwaves, banishing any male voices from television and radio. Furthermore it is revealed that she possess the power to control electricity, power that was strong enough to give Superman a run for his money. In order to stop her, the man of highly conductive steel was even forced to collaborate with his arch-rival, Lex Luthor. The villain agreed to use his special technology to help stop Livewire. However, he went too far and practically killed her in the process. Still, a gleam in her eye as she listened to two paramedics denigrate women let the readers know she was far from finished. Soon after her appearance in the Superman Adventures comics, Livewire appeared on "Superman: The Animated Series." In her debut episode, she was given an origin story. Much of that origin was retained and retold when she made her first DC Comics Universe appearance in 2006. In this issue, readers were introduced to Leslie Willis, an immensely successful and controversial radio shock jock. One of Willis' favorite subjects was Superman. While others praised him to the skies, Willis preferred to knock him to the ground. This worked well for her, until her boss abruptly fired her in the middle of a show. It turned out that Superman had just saved the boss' wife from certain death. However, not only was he firing Willis, but he also blackballed her from working on any other program in Metropolis. Needless to say, this didn't sit well with the ambitious and vindictive Willis. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Willis was born with the ability to control electricity. With her career in a shambles, she decided to wreak havoc with her abilities. She augmented and strengthened them with a convenient thunderstorm, dubbed herself Livewire and went after Superman. Although in a weakened state due to an earlier run-in with a magical being, Superman was still able to assess the situation. He knew that Livewire had enough electricity running through her to destroy all of Metropolis. Knowing his options were either to drain her or overload her, he chose the second. Flying her into the heart of a thunderstormm, he was able to cause her to short circuit. Livewire made several other appearances over the years, eventually reforming and using her powers for good. However, in the New 52 reboot, Livewire was seen as a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains. She’s switches sides a lot, essentially, she’s ACDC. Of course, since she was essentially created for the animated TV Show, Livewire is frequently associated most with her appearances on the small screen – although an appearance in a feature film would certainly be welcomed by fans. Are you a fan of Livewire? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.