Since the inception of the Supergirl title post-Rebirth, writer Steve Orlando has been doing yeoman's work trying to merge the continuity of the DC Universe Kara with some of the broader ideas of the Supergirl television show. So show specific ideas like CatCo, the DEO, and Jeremiah & Eliza Danvers.
Over on Twitter, Orlando tweeted that he was meeting with the Supergirl creative team (editor Jess Chen, artist Robson Rocha, inker Daniel Henriques, and colorist Michael Atiyeh) to discuss the next arc in the book. (Can I just say, as a reader always interested in the creative process, the idea of a summit meeting of the whole creative team is just fantastic!)
When I asked for a hint, Orlando said there could be some "shocking additions".
Given that proclivity to merge the show's sensibilities with the comics, I figure the shocking hint means we'll be seeing Livewire soon! And that makes me happy. Because I think the time is right to convert Livewire to an official member of the Supergirl Rogue's Gallery ... in the same way that the Silver Banshee seems to have gone that way.
And there is the history between the two!
Livewire, played by Brit Morgan with a delicious sadism, was first seen in the fifth episode of the first season title, appropriately enough, Livewire. There we meet shock jock Leslie Willis, a radio personality who has become so toxic, attacking everything, that media mogul feels she needs to pull the plug. Through a quirk of fate ( a lightning bolt which courses through Supergirl into Leslie), Livewire is born. And she is ready to burn her way through her enemies.
I thought this was a great episode. At that time, it showed me that CBS was committed to good special effects. But it showed a side of Cat, the mentoring side, that became key. Cat realized that she didn't mold Leslie the way she should have.
There is so much to love in this episode. The easy chemistry between Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist is on full display here. And Livewire again is a credible and dangerous foe.
And then, just this last season, we saw Livewire in We Can Be Heroes, the most underrated episode in the season for me. Livewire is kidnapped and used to power up other criminals. In a great end battle with Mon-El and Guardian, the bad guys are captured.
In a moment of generosity, optimism, and hope, Supergirl lets the real Livewire go, hoping that maybe this olive branch will lead to Livewire rethinking things.
So there is a nice history between the two characters on the show. But what about the comic?
Shoved in the middle of Kelley Puckett's 'Thomas' story, this issue had writer Will Pfeifer explore Kara's memories of her father. (It definitely showed the inconsistency of the Supergirl history at this time as this Zor was much different than Joe Kelly's mad killer.) The art by Ron Randall is fantastic, no big surprise.
In the opening scene, Livewire is in Metropolis, killing civilians indiscriminately in hopes of luring Superman into a battle.
Instead Supergirl shows up.
Once more, you see how Livewire has the stuff to be a deadly villain.
And, as she does in the TV show, Supergirl uses water to 'short circuit' Livewire, weaken her. But Kara ends the fight with a straight right.
This is such an odd time for Supergirl. Reeling from the terrible Joe Kelly run, she tries to become a hero to Thomas. But things aren't quite set. Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle are 3 issues away.
So seeing her still questioning Earth behavior makes sense for this time.
Even here, instead of people mobbing Supergirl for saving them (remember there are piles of dead people around), they are unhappy that it is Supergirl not Superman. Supergirl is basically shunned and unappreciated. This 'extreme outsider' idea was part of this version (at least until the Gates' run) and even rears its ugly head in the early New 52 book.
Anyways, I love the idea of Livewire as a Supergirl villain and hope Orlando's hint means she'll be coming to the Rebirth book!
6 comments:
"Over on Twitter, Orlando tweeted that he was meeting with the Supergirl creative team (editor Jess Chen, artist Robson Rocha, inker Daniel Henriques, and colorist Michael Atiyeh) to discuss the next arc in the book."
... Which may imply DC still has faith in the current creative team in spit of falling sales. Given that I tremendously enjoyed the ending of "Escape from the Phantom Zone", I'm happy and a bit relieved.
"When I asked for a hint, Orlando said there could be some "shocking additions"."
Interesting wording. I noticed, though, he didn't say those "shocking additions" would be villains. I don't dare hope to meet two certain Winathian siblings -or their villainous big brother-, but it'd be cool to see the Legion again (and find out why DC dropped several hints of SM and SG meeting Saturn Girl. Fans were baited or plans were changed?)
Some old member of Supergirl's supporting cast or Rogue's Gallery is an electrokinetic?
Regarding Livewire and prior battles with the Maid of Might... I can't think of any comic examples, but in "Girls Night Out Supergirl and Batgirl ran into Harley, Ivy and Livewire. Does it count?
"(It definitely showed the inconsistency of the Supergirl history at this time as this Zor was much different than Joe Kelly's mad killer.)"
It also shows how eager was the creative team to move away from that run.
"This 'extreme outsider' idea was part of this version (at least until the Gates' run) and even rears its ugly head in the early New 52 book."
I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea, but the New 52 version took it too far for too long. There were hints Kara was trying to fit in (see her interactions with Silver Banshee and her brother), but that damned H'el on Earth story arc damaged the character and derailed her evolution.
Back on topic, maybe it's Livewire or an electrokinetic character. We'll see.
Livewire seems the most likely suspect and my favorite pick, but given Orlando's seemingly deep knowledge of Supergirl's history and ability to revisit blasts from the past anything is possible.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him pull in Positive Man from the Silver Age or Supergirl's newly found friends Thunder and Lightning from DCSHG as they also seem to get a revival in CWs Black Lightning. It would give the series a lift with a person of color more interesting than the (I'm sorry) incredibly pointless and bland Ben Rubel.
Supergirl first tangled with Livewire in a team up with Batgirl on BTAS....there is something about Livewire she is always depicted as holding Kara in special contempt very dismissive and snarky. Granted thats a facet from her shockjock persona, but it makes the antagonism all the more perverse, personal and thus, interesting.
Here is hopin' it's Lesley....although "Shocking" could easily mean the triumphant return of the Original Bronze Age Human Cannonball....
:)
JF
Reviewed that episode 8 years ago! Sorry I forgot to mention here!
http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2009/12/girls-night-out.html
I love all the crazy guesses I'm hearing. The Positive Man! Human Cannonball!
"In a moment of generosity, optimism, and hope, Supergirl lets the real Livewire go, hoping that maybe this olive branch will lead to Livewire rethinking things.
So there is a nice history between the two characters on the show. But what about the comic?"
I'm going to go with the idea that since Livewire seems to shaping up to be a recurring villain on TV (and because actress Brit Morgan is pals with some of the producers), the character will probably be 'too radioactive' for the comic series to use at the moment. Of course, things could change....but it seems that the reverse has also been in play. That is, if the comics are reinterpreting some rogues (such as Selena and Psi), then the TV show is simply not using them at this time.
KET
I can't see a single reason why Livewire being an occasional TV villain would stop her showing up here - this isn't Sterling Gates's tie-in comic, DC can use her just as they're using the Danvers while choosing not to use Alex. I'd be happy to see her here, but happier to be surprised - I love Ket's Human Cannonball idea, and Positive Man? Yes please.
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