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{{Short description|Fictional supervillain in the DC comics universe}}
{{redirect|Leslie Willis|the engineer and archaeologist|Leslie R. H. Willis}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|character_name=Livewire
|image=ActionComicsCv835.jpg
|caption=Livewire on the cover art of '' Action Comics'' #835, art by Kalman Andrasofszky.
|real_name=Leslie Willis
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|first_series= [[Superman: The Animated Series]] 
|first_episode= [[List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes|Livewire]]
|first_comic= ''[[Action Comics]]'' #835 (March 2006)<br> ''[[Superman Adventures]]'' #5 (1997) 
|creators=[[Evan Dorkin]]<br>[[Sarah Dyer]]<br>[[Bruce Timm]]
|species=[[Metahuman]]
|affiliations=[[Superman Revenge Squad]]<br>[[Supermen of America]]<br>[[Legion of Doom]]<br>[[Secret Society of Super Villains]]
|aliases=
|powers=*Electric and magnetism manipulation 
*[[Superhuman strength]] (when fully charged) 
}}
'''Livewire''' is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillain]] appearing in [[multimedia]] produced by [[DC Entertainment]], and [[American comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]]. Created for ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'', the character appeared in March 1997 in ''[[Superman Adventures]]'' #5 (based on the animated series). Her first mainstream comic book appearance was in [[DC Comics]]' ''[[Action Comics]]'' #835 (March 2006).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=182}}</ref>

In animation, the character was voiced by [[Lori Petty]] in ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' and ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]'', and by [[Maria Canals-Barrera]] in ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''.<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Livewire Voices (Superman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Superman/Livewire/ |access-date=October 10, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> In live-action, she has been portrayed by [[Anna Mae Wills|Anna Mae Routledge]] in ''[[Smallville (TV series)|Smallville]]'' and [[Brit Morgan]] in the [[Arrowverse]] series ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''.

==Fictional character biography==
===DC Animated Universe===
[[File:Livewire (DC Comics).png|thumb|upright|left|Livewire, in ''Superman: The Animated Series''.]]
Introduced in a self-titled episode of ''Superman: The Animated Series'', Leslie Willis is a popular, yet controversial [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] radio [[shock jock]] who takes cynical joy in ridiculing [[Superman]] during her broadcasts.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |page=213}}</ref> On the third anniversary of her career, she hosts a rock concert at Centennial Park to celebrate despite a concurrent thunderstorm and public safety concerns. After lightning strikes the stage, Willis is transformed into an electrokinetic [[metahuman]].

Following this, Willis forms a short-lived alliances with [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]], [[Harley Quinn]], and [[Poison Ivy (character)|Poison Ivy]].

In the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' episode "Hereafter", Livewire (voiced by an uncredited [[Maria Canals-Barrera]]) joins the [[Superman Revenge Squad]], only to be defeated by the [[Justice League]]. In ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', she joins [[Gorilla Grodd]]'s [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]].

Livewire also appears in the ''[[Superman Adventures]]'' tie-in comic, where she works with [[Professor Hamilton]] to stop [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] and eventually reforms.

===Comics===
{{primary sources section|date=November 2017}}
Livewire is introduced into the main comics continuity in ''Action Comics'' #835 (March 2006), written by [[Gail Simone]] and [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]. This version was born with her abilities, but did not gain her signature appearance until being struck by lightning.<ref>{{multiref2|''Action Comics'' #842 - 843 (October - November 2006)|''[[Batgirl]]'' (vol. 2) #4 (January 2010)|''[[Justice Society of America]]'' (vol. 3) #41 (September 2010)
}}</ref>

In ''[[Superman: Grounded]]'', Livewire attacks [[Jimmy Olsen]] and takes hostages in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] to get Superman's attention. It is subsequently revealed that her powers are deteriorating and she can no longer control them safely. Superman provides her with a special suit that resolves the problem and recruits her to join the [[Supermen of America]].<ref>''Superman'' #711 (July 2011)</ref><ref>''Superman'' #714 (October 2011)</ref>

====The New 52====
In ''[[The New 52]]'' continuity reboot, Livewire joins the [[Secret Society of Super Villains]], and her origin is revised to be similar to her DCAU counterpart.<ref>''Justice League'' (vol. 2) #30 (July 2014)</ref><ref>''Batgirl'' (vol. 4) #41 - 42 (August - September 2015)</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Livewire is a being of pure electricity able to absorb vast quantities from external sources. She can also manipulate electricity and generate [[electrostatic discharge|lightning blasts]] of various intensities, with her strongest being able to weaken or stun Superman. She can also transform into living electricity to travel through electric currents and control electronic devices.

Due to her powers, her primary weakness is water, as even a small amount will cause her stored energy to go haywire unless she has stored up enough power. At this or any stage, Livewire would have to be completely drenched in water to be fully depowered. Additionally, [[silicon]] dust can also render her powerless due to its electrical resistance. When drained of her electricity, she reverts to her solid form and cannot use most of her abilities until she absorbs enough energy.

==In other media==
===Television===
====Animation====
* Livewire makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' episode "Black Friday".
* A teenage Livewire appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Britt Baron]]. This version is a member of the [[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]].
* Livewire appears in ''[[DC Super Hero Girls (TV series)|DC Super Hero Girls]]'', voiced by Mallory Low.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a teenage bully, [[internet troll]], and member of the Super Villain Girls.
* Livewire appears in ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]'', voiced by Aline Elasmar. This version is a member of the [[Legion of Doom]].
* Livewire appears in ''[[My Adventures with Superman]]'', voiced by [[Zehra Fazal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fazal |first=Zehra |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "TONIGHT!!! My Adventures with Superman premieres tonight, midnight on @adultswim, next day on @streamonmax Super-charged to announce I play Leslie Willis aka LIVEWIRE. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuXlc9HyvVk/ |access-date=July 7, 2023 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is a thief whose powers are initially derived from a special harness powered by an alien crystal before she later develops natural electrokinesis. Additionally, as of the episode "Olsen's Eleven", she has entered a relationship with [[Heat Wave (character)|Heat Wave]].

====Live-action====
[[File:Livewire_smallville.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Anna Mae Routledge]] as Livewire on ''[[Smallville]]''.]]
[[File:Livewire_Supergirl.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Brit Morgan]] as Livewire on ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''.]]
* Livewire appears in the ''[[Smallville]]'' episode "Injustice", portrayed by an uncredited [[Anna Mae Routledge]]. This version is a small-time crook who, after being incarcerated, is recruited by [[Tess Mercer]] and tasked with searching for [[Doomsday (comics)|Davis Bloome]] alongside [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]], [[Neutron (DC Comics)|Neutron]], [[Plastique (character)|Plastique]], and Mercer's assistant Eva Greer. Livewire is later killed by an explosive implanted in her head off-screen.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Injustice|series=Smallville|credits=Al Septien, Turi Meyer (writers) & Tom Welling (director)|network=The CW|airdate=2009-05-07|season=8|number=21}}</ref>
* Livewire appears in ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'', portrayed by [[Brit Morgan]]. This version is a confident yet abrasive CatCo shock jock who acquires her powers after [[Kara Danvers (Arrowverse)|Supergirl]], whom she had repeatedly denigrated on her radio show, is struck by lightning while rescuing her from a potential helicopter crash.<ref>{{cite web |last=Prudom |first=Laura |date=August 12, 2015 |title=''Supergirl'' Casts ''True Blood'' Alum as DC Comics Villain Livewire (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/supergirl-livewire-brit-morgan-red-tornado-maxwell-lord-sam-lane-1201568235 |publisher=Variety}}</ref> Introduced in her self-titled episode, Livewire attempts to seek revenge on [[Cat Grant (Arrowverse)|Cat Grant]] for demoting her, only to be defeated by Supergirl and turned over to the [[Department of Extranormal Operations]] (DEO)'s custody. In the episode "[[Worlds Finest]]", [[Silver Banshee]] breaks Livewire out of the DEO to help her kill Grant, Supergirl, and Kara Danvers. However, the pair are foiled by Supergirl, a dimensionally-displaced [[Barry Allen (Arrowverse)|Flash]], and a group of firefighters and incarcerated at [[National City (DC Comics)|National City]]'s newly developed metahuman prison. In "We Can Be Heroes", scientist Dr. Hampton kidnaps Livewire in an attempt to steal her powers and create an army of electricity-powered super-soldiers, but she escapes with Supergirl's help and they form a truce.<ref>{{cite web | title=Supergirl - Episode 2.10 - We Can Be Heroes - Press Release | website=SpoilerTV | date=13 January 2017 | url=https://www.spoilertv.com/2017/01/supergirl-episode-210-we-can-be-heroes.html | access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> In "Fort Rozz", Livewire agrees to help Supergirl and [[Psi (comics)|Psi]] on a mission to the titular prison to gather information on [[Reign (Arrowverse)|Reign]] and later dies saving Supergirl.

===Film===
* An [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|alternate reality]] variant of Livewire appears in ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'', voiced by [[Kari Wahlgren]]. This version is a human terrorist who wields an electric beam gun.
* Livewire makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse]]'' as a member of the [[Legion of Doom]].<ref name="btva" />

===Video games===
* Livewire appears as a boss in ''[[Superman: Shadow of Apokolips]]'', voiced again by Lori Petty.<ref name="btva" />
* Livewire appears as a boss in ''[[Superman: Countdown to Apokolips]]''.
* Livewire appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]''.
* Livewire appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* Livewire appears as a playable character in ''DC Legends''.
* Livewire appears in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced by [[Cree Summer]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2018 |title=''Lego DC Super-Villains'' Screens Reveal New Details |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/lego-dc-super-villains-game-new-details/ |website=GAMING}}</ref>
* Livewire appears as a boss in ''DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power'', voiced again by Mallory Low.<ref name="btva" />

===Miscellaneous===
* Livewire appears in ''[[DC Universe Online: Legends]]'' #9 as an associate of [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]].<ref>''DC Universe Online: Legends'' #9 (August 2001)</ref>
* Livewire appears in the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us (comics)|Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' prequel comic.
* Livewire appears in the ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]'' tie-in comics ''Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour'' and ''Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: Legion of Bats''.

==See also==
* [[List of Superman enemies]]
* ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''
* [[DC Animated Universe]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DC Animated Universe}}
{{Superman characters}}
{{Supergirl}}
{{Batgirl}}

[[Category:1997 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2006]]
[[Category:Characters created by Bruce Timm]]
[[Category:DC Animated Universe original characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters who can teleport]]
[[Category:DC Comics female superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:DC Comics metahumans]]
[[Category:DC Comics shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Female characters in animation]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional radio personalities]]
[[Category:Fictional technopaths]]
[[Category:Superman characters]]
[[Category:Villains in animated television series]]