Superman: The Animated Series
Episode 17
Livewire
Livewire is a custom made villain for the TV show because the writers wanted to flesh out Superman’s rogues gallery. Leslie Willis starts out as a female Howard Stern copy who talks trash about Superman for ratings. During a big anti-Superman rally she is hosting in the Metropolis version of Central Park, a lightning storm happens. Superman shows up and tries to convince the crowd to disperse, for their own safety. The crowd refuses, Willis incites them. Lightning strikes, Superman tries to stop her from getting struck, in the process they both get struck and she ends up with electric super powers.
It’s the most tired trope in television and film. Lightning is this magical finger from the gods that gives abilities to everyone who comes across it. Once you get past the trope the episode moves along. Livewire looks all white and blue now. She’s upset she looks like a freak but she’s actually much hotter than her human self ever did.
She discovers her electric powers and holds the city hostage for money. It’s a ridiculous plan. She’s a popular radio DJ who was deformed in a freak accident. She could make more money with a book deal or possibly a lawsuit against the city. Holding the city ransom with the power of electricity is not needed. She could easily land a job with her electric powers and not have to resort to super villain status. There could be a logical argument for insanity in her case. Her physical transformation could have affected her mind and caused her to freak out.
Superman confronts her and during the fight she gets water all over her and totally fries her abilities. She’s catatonic and placed in special holding facility to return again later.
The villain herself is great. Her origin is weak. How can Superman being struck by lightning transfer powers to other people? If a piece of his power is now in her, how can she ever be a challenge for Superman? He’s still the stronger one. Giving him a weakness to extreme electricity is believable. If someone can generate enough voltage, Superman can be hurt. It appears the writers struggled to create comparable adversaries to Superman. Ultimately they succeeded but the episode demonstrates how thin they were truly stretched in this endeavor.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
