Love Will Make Ya Crazy!

*Cover for* ***“Superman: Chains of Love Special”*** (published February 4th, 2026) written by Leah Williams and Dan Slott, with art by Ig Guara and Rosi Kämpe and colors by Fabi Marquez and Trish Mulvihill.

Cover art by Yasmine Putri

For as much action and over-the-top spectacle as superhero comics contain, there is an element within them that has endured since practically the very beginning—going so far as to even spawn an entire genre of comics beyond superheroes. What is that, you ask? Romance, baby! Love is in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day, and DC Comics has seen fit to deliver one sweet one-shot to celebrate in the form of Superman: Chains of Love.

The love story between Superman and Lois Lane has captured the hearts of readers for almost 100 years, but the "OTP" of superhero comics is taking a distant backseat here. The focus of our romance-driven one-shot happens to be… The Creeper and Livewire? Wait, WHAT?

Yep, you read that right, folks! This isn’t your typical love story whatsoever; we’re about to leap into a tale of "mad love" that might just become the start of DC’s newest power couple. I’ll break down the issue here—including the hilarious short story following it—and give my thoughts below. Y’all know the drill!

Warning: This article will contain spoilers to “Superman: Chains of Love”.

Creepers!

Yep, this is exactly the type of tone you’re getting for this story.

Our sweeping love story, appropriately named “Creepers,” begins inside a studio apartment in Metropolis. Sensationalist reporter Jack Ryder is signing off on his podcast before transforming into his garish alter ego, The Creeper! The comic reminds us that while Metropolis is the home of Earth’s greatest hero, Superman, it is also home to The Creeper—a much more unconventional hero than "Big Blue."

As we fixate on Creeper’s… well, creepy smile, the clock rewinds three months. Within two panels, we’re watching Leslie Willis (aka Livewire) receiving a cavity search, which effectively sets the tone for the entire book. Livewire is in prison and wearing a power inhibitor collar as a guard informs her that her parole hearing is scheduled in twenty minutes—with the judge video-conferencing in. Insulted that the judge can’t even physically be present, Livewire retorts that she has been a model prisoner without a single behavioral violation in years. The guard couldn’t care less, however, stating that everyone has better things to do than deal with her, leaving the electricity-based villain alone to get dressed.

The Creeper essentially serves as our narrator, injecting his trademark sense of humor throughout as he explains that Livewire has been in Stryker’s Island Penitentiary for years as penance for her supervillainy. It’s clear early on that he’s absolutely infatuated with her; given the fondness with which he describes their "meet-cute" and his claim that the greatest love stories begin with a cavity search, it’s safe to say this book is aiming for a happy—if comically weird—ending.

Livewire finally gets an opportunity for freedom after years of imprisonment.

As Livewire takes her seat for the parole hearing, we flash forward an hour as the entire prison is rocked by an intense explosion, followed by the frantic shouts of guards and blaring sirens. Power Girl is seen soaring toward the source of the disturbance, and we jump forward once more to find a shocked Livewire apparently set free. The Creeper informs us that he’ll explain exactly how Leslie gained her freedom (conditionally, at least) later, as our attention shifts from Stryker’s Island back to Jack Ryder’s apartment.

There, The Creeper activates a camera-equipped drone and begins livestreaming his own show. We see the live chat feed rolling in: one viewer expresses outright hatred for Creeper, while another asks why he looks the way he does—to which a fellow commenter guesses "radiation." He explains to his audience that one of his fans (or as he affectionately calls them, “creeps”) sent him a lead concerning a "pesty preacher pestering passersby."

Checking back on Livewire, we discover from The Creeper’s narration that the conditions of her release are entirely dependent on her not using her powers whatsoever. This means she can’t teleport or even use her abilities in self-defense. Livewire departs the prison via boat and soon arrives in Metropolis proper, drawing immediate attention from pedestrians who recognize her as she walks down the sidewalk.

It’s here that she and The Creeper cross paths, as both run afoul of the street preacher shouting at passersby. The Creeper attracts his own share of stares while preparing to film himself confronting the preacher—sporting a pair of devil horns for good measure. The preacher accosts Livewire, praying aloud for the means to heal the “blue-haired Jezebel.”

The Creeper is immediately smitten upon seeing Livewire for the first time, but she has no time for the preacher or the costumed "hero," angrily demanding why there is a drone filming her as she pushes past. The Creeper asks his livestream chat exactly who this "blue-skinned vixen" is before deciding to chase the preacher in retaliation for his loud sermons keeping the neighborhood awake at night.

Livewire attempts to acclimate to a world that has moved past pirate radio.

Livewire leaves the two behind as she returns to her secret pad, which has remained surprisingly undiscovered and undisturbed. She enters her home, relieved to see that her shock-jock equipment is still intact, and decides to get back on the air. She laments being unsure if anyone even bothers to listen to pirate radio these days—after all, she’s been away for a long time and technology has certainly changed—but she decides to take calls for old times’ sake, hoping to find a listener.

At first, there are no incoming calls; however, she eventually gets a "live one" as Live with Livewire officially returns. The caller notes that Livewire sounds sad, to which she explains her melancholy is a result of being locked up for so long and losing her audience. Though skeptical at first, she eventually opens up to the caller, detailing her release from prison and the specific circumstances that earned her freedom.

Power Girl sets the record straight and sticks up for Livewire.

Apparently, the incarcerated villain The Chained somehow nullified the power-dampening collars all the inmates wear on Stryker’s Island, which led to a breakout attempt. Instead of participating, Livewire used her powers to pacify the inmates, rubbing her socked feet on the carpet to generate enough static electricity to shock his metal appendages. This elicits a foot-fetish joke from the caller, and I’m sure you can guess exactly who that is.

Livewire further explains that once Power Girl arrived on the scene, she informed the staff that Livewire wasn’t part of the breakout and prevented the guards from hurling her into solitary. The caller—revealed to be, of course, The Creeper—asks how she got locked up in the first place, to which Livewire sighs and admits it’s a long story.

The Creeper’s live chat stream sounds off as she explains how she was young, reckless, and picked a fight with Superman in addition to a life of crime. Unbeknownst to Livewire, however, Creeper is broadcasting her story to his own audience, giving her massive exposure. Hours pass as the two continue talking on-air; Livewire explains her disdain for superheroes in general, arguing they are just as bad as the villains given how much they endanger the public. Creeper chimes in, agreeing with her as he complains that Superman can wear his underwear on the outside and be called a hero—but when he does it, he isn’t allowed within 500 feet of an elementary school.

Empathic like his father, Jon Kent opts to help Livewire, even if she resists.

During the stream, we find out that one of the listeners is actually Superman—not Clark, but his son, Jon Kent. Jon, moved by Livewire’s story, reaches out to her about a week later, even picking up the tab for her groceries. She stubbornly refuses to thank him, however, insisting that she never asked for his help.

She asks why he’s following her, to which Jon explains that he has a job offer. Thanks to the Daily Planet’s new media initiatives, there is public interest in hearing more from people like Livewire and The Creeper—the disenfranchised who have managed to find redemption. Livewire is initially uninterested, but when Jon mentions that the job pays well and includes benefits, she quickly changes her tune and decides to think it over.

Superman remains one of Creeper’s defenders among the wider superhero community.

The Creeper explains through his narration that Superman has been a long-time viewer of his and recognized his potential, noting that the Justice League reluctantly allowed Creeper to assist on missions to keep him out of trouble and provide him with purpose. Similar to Livewire’s situation, Creeper’s freedom was dependent on staying out of trouble under constant monitoring. Deciding to make the most of it, he began filming his exploits as livestreams, leveraging his unique position to build a platform that was both countercultural and subversive.

Seeing Livewire come from a background so similar to his own, Creeper implored Superman that a show spearheaded by her could potentially open the door for other villains to seek redemption. But he didn’t stop there. He reveals how he sought funding from Metropolis's underworld to bankroll a show that would serve as an outlet for those who distrust superheroes. Hilariously, Creeper also went to the Justice League and told them the show would allow them to monitor anti-hero sentiment—effectively dropping a "super-psyop" on Metropolis.

The show is christened Hardwired, and while Livewire isn’t entirely sold on the name, her co-host certainly is. Creeper confesses that he was the original caller from her first pirate broadcast and wastes no time flirting with her—and surprisingly, it actually works. He explains the premise: they’ll have a villain in the "hot seat" each episode, with The Chained serving as their very first guest. This pisses Livewire off "something fierce" given their history at Stryker’s, but the resulting episode is a massive hit. The show becomes extremely popular as they grill other villains on why they hate "supers" and what truly makes them different. Ultimately, however, the Justice League remains unconvinced that giving villains a voice is a wise move, which promises to complicate things moving forward.

Further complicating matters, Livewire pitches an idea for their next guest: Jack Ryder! The Creeper immediately starts to freak out as Livewire points out that Ryder seems obsessed with her. She shows Creeper videos of his alter ego disparaging her—insulting her looks, and even her use of pronouns.

Of course, this guts Creeper because he is Jack Ryder. He clarifies for those unaware of how his psyche works that The Creeper is essentially his subconscious given life, whereas Jack is the “real” personality. While Jack feels a deep-seated obsession with Livewire, he doesn't fully understand it; as a result, he uses his own platform—distinct from Creeper’s—to stoke Hardwired’s success by weaponizing hatred and mistrust for clicks. Unwilling to lie or omit the truth any longer, Creeper reveals to Livewire that he is indeed Jack Ryder mere moments before they go live.

This shocks the former supervillain; she sits stunned, processing what she just heard before eventually blowing up—quite literally! As The Creeper reaches out to grab Livewire, she instinctively lashes out with her electric powers, sending him flying. She accuses him of being a liar, claiming he only used her to "farm content" for his primary show.

Creeper, to his credit, tries to explain his feelings using a rather macabre—but ultimately adorable—metaphor involving an "ant death spiral." Livewire isn’t having it and proceeds to kick him where it hurts. Yeah, that checks out. Heartbroken, she continues to shout at Creeper, calling him a coward for being unwilling to embrace his authentic self. She admits she genuinely liked him, but that the trust is now ruined.

On cue, Black Lightning and Guardian, flanked by armed guards, arrive to arrest Livewire for violating her parole. Creeper promises to fix everything, but Livewire tells him not to bother. Emboldened by the chance to make a "big gesture"—chicks dig those, after all—Creeper enacts a chaotic plan. He secures NDAs from the crew who witnessed the fight and edits the footage to show that Livewire was merely defending herself.

Then, in his Jack Ryder persona, he goes on-air to tell his listeners he’s into Livewire because "alt-girls are fun in the sack." He whips up his "Ryde-Alongs" fan base, claiming nothing excuses Creeper for laying hands on her. Simultaneously, as Creeper, he goes on-air to declare his love for her, swearing he won't let Ryder treat her like an exotic bird for a collection. Sure enough, both fan bases march into the streets, ready to throw down in a massive, manufactured riot.

A happy ending! Minus the riots between fanboys, but a win in a win.

As the crowd continues to brawl in a crazed melee, The Creeper watches on solemnly before spotting Livewire in the mix—more than happy to be laying into a few "Ryde-Alongs." It is revealed that the footage Creeper presented allowed Superman himself to exonerate her, resulting in her permanent release from prison.

She eventually meets up with Creeper and asks how much of what he said was true—both as Jack Ryder and as his alter ego. He admits that all of it was real: he was initially obsessed with her but genuinely fell in love along the way. The two share a passionate kiss as Livewire uses her powers to shoot down a nearby drone, declaring that they deserve some privacy.

Creeper doesn't argue, though he insists that no one can ever know he is also Jack Ryder. She playfully agrees, noting she’d be embarrassed to be associated with Ryder publicly, but privately is another matter entirely. The two prepare to take their leave just as both Superman and his son, Jon Kent (the "other" Superman—which will never not be amusing), arrive on the scene to finally quell the rioting fans.

Superman and his son arrive to make sure the two love birds can safely get away from the chaotic scene.

Livewire and The Creeper both ask why the heroes would help, given the vitriol they’ve spewed about them and superheroes in general. In classic Superman fashion, Clark offers a smile, admitting he’s heard it all—and even found some of it funny.

Our chaotic love story draws to a close with the revelation that not only have Creeper and Livewire reconciled, but their show has been renewed for a second season. Creeper narrates that those who feel helpless often need help accessing their revolutionary thoughts. He notes that while Superman was busy protecting people from one another, he realized most people just need to blow off steam—and the means to find the bravery to live by their principles. We wrap things up by watching Creeper and Livewire leave the studio together, hand in hand, as they head off for ice cream.

A final blurb at the bottom of the page informs us that Hardwired will return in the pages of both the upcoming Reign of the Superboys event and Justice League Unlimited!

Bill Zarro’s World!

But that’s not all, folks!

Turns out we have a neat little backup story to follow up on the romantic misadventures of Livewire and The Creeper! Our short story, aptly named “Bill Zarro’s World,” follows a day in the life of a mild-mannered Daily Planet employee named William (or Bill) Zarro.

His wife hates him, his kids don’t respect him, his neighbor treats him like dirt, and his commute to the Daily Planet is utterly miserable. To top it off, the local hot dog vendor is obnoxious, and his boss openly insults and berates him. It is, for all intents and purposes, a terrible existence for this middle-aged everyman.

That is, until the next morning, when he wakes up in the insanity that can only be Bizarro World. He’s greeted by a Bizarro version of his wife, who addresses him with love; naturally, he panics, unable to figure out what’s going on or where he is. He’s likewise greeted by Bizarro versions of his kids, who shower him with affection—something he is definitely not used to back on Earth. Even his Bizarro neighbor is friendly, returning a borrowed lawnmower while offering to mow the lawn for him.

Bill attempts to go about his daily routine, slowly acclimating to the opposite societal norms of Bizarro World in hilarious fashion. This time, the commute is pleasant, as the bus inexplicably features built-in massage seating. Upon arriving at the Bizarro World version of the Daily Planet, he witnesses literal cows flying, a man wearing shoes on his head, someone climbing down into a sewer, and firefighters literally starting fires. As Bill freaks out, he’s suddenly accosted by an armed mugger who tells him to "yell louder" before sticking him up—by forcing all of his money onto Bill instead of taking it.

His pants stuffed with cash, Bill awkwardly arrives at the Bizarro Daily Planet only to be enthusiastically greeted by his Bizarro boss, who showers him with praise—calling him a genius and the “last one in, first one out” of the office. Bill instinctively thanks him, which prompts a horrified expression from his superior.

Starting to get the hang of Bizarro-speak, Bill quickly corrects himself and tells his boss to "go to hell." This prompts a wide smile from the boss, who immediately tells Bill to take a long lunch on the company dime. Bill visits the Bizarro hot dog vendor, who apparently serves the best hot dog ever—even offering it topped with caviar. Bill eventually returns to "work," if you can even call it that, as his boss marches around wearing a party hat and throwing confetti. At this point, Bill doesn’t even want to leave.

Bill heads back home, surrounded for once by an enthusiastic and loving family who are genuinely excited about his workday. He tells them about his caviar dog and informs his Bizarro wife that she is "one heck of a lousy cook" (a high compliment!) before a knock at the door grabs his attention. Bill happily gets up to answer, only to find Superman himself standing on the porch.

The Man of Steel greets Bill and apologizes for taking so long to find him. He explains that a dimensional tear between our world and Bizarro World had been causing random items to switch places with their cross-dimensional counterparts. Luckily, he and Bizarro have teamed up to fix it, and they are in the process of putting everything back where it belongs. In the background, we see Bizarro himself “helping” by smashing one of the neighbor’s cars into another—playfully adopting the iconic Action Comics #1 pose with the vehicle over his head.

Superman further explains to a distressed Bill that, as far as they are aware, he and his Bizarro World analog were the only people who switched places. He believes this was due to Bill's name (Bill Zarro—God, I love comics!) and the tear being 5th Dimensional in nature. As Superman begins to explain the metaphysical power of names, an upset Bill cuts him off, pleading for Superman not to take him back as the Man of Steel looks on, stunned.

Superman’s expression here sent me into orbit with laughter.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, we see Bizarro Bill waking up to the routine typical of the non-Bizarro version. He is berated by his family as he sits at the kitchen table with a smile, before heading to work at the Daily Planet. Upon entering the building, he is greeted—or rather, given a farewell—by Clark Kent.

Our short story ends with Bizarro Bill being shouted at by his boss, who calls him an even bigger idiot than his human counterpart. This, in turn, prompts a huge smile from Bizarro Bill as he joyously declares, “Me hate it here!”

Creepy and Bizarre, But in a Good Way

Creeper has untold magnitudes of rizz here.

With the high stakes of DC K.O. dominating the mainline title and the darker Absolute Superman forged in shadow, having a lighter Superman one-shot arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day was a refreshing palette cleanser.

I think sometimes as comic book readers—especially in the superhero genre—we need stories to remind us that not everything has to revolve around the fate of the multiverse. We don’t constantly need books that reflect the very real ills of society. This isn’t to say those darker themes aren’t valuable; they’re great, actually! But every now and then, we need books that make us laugh and smile, reminding us that these characters and their worlds don’t have to be such serious affairs all the time.

Superman: Chains of Love does just that. It also accomplishes what I appreciate most: it tells a worthwhile story that stands on its own beyond the titular character’s appearance. Yes, it’s a Superman one-shot, but the Man of Steel himself only plays a supporting role in both the main story and the backup. His presence is felt despite the limited page time, which proves that the writers—Leah Williams for “Creepers” and Dan Slott for “Bill Zarro’s World”—have a fundamentally strong grasp on his world. Metropolis feels alive, possessing a personality and vibe just as profound as Gotham City. It reminds us that while Superman holds the most important role, he’s not the only role, and the city is filled with interesting people beyond just the Man of Steel.

The Creeper is a character with a cult-like following—both within the DC Universe, where fans flock to his alter ego Jack Ryder, and in the real world, where comic book fans embrace weird and obscure characters. He occupies a fascinating niche as an anti-hero whose origins vary wildly: sometimes the result of nanomachines, sometimes a medical procedure, and occasionally even a literal demon. Regardless of the continuity, both Creeper and Ryder do a fantastic job of driving the story forward as entertaining narrators.

Livewire is equally excellent here, and I truly hope this marks a permanent new status quo for the veteran villain. There is a great "wink and nod" during her first broadcast after being released from prison when she mentions being "from the '90s." This is a perfect reference to her debut in Superman: The Animated Series; much like Harley Quinn, she originated in the DCAU (or Timmverse) before transitioning to the comic book page.

Their chemistry is infectious, weird, and yet… oddly wholesome. They feel like a non-toxic version of Joker and Harley—two people who clearly have issues and aren't exactly "nice," yet share legitimate affection and love. Despite the crude and suggestive jokes from Creeper and Ryder alike, it becomes clear that they care deeply for one another. It reminds me of the relationship between Silver Banshee and Jimmy Olsen; like those two, I sincerely hope this pairing sticks around for a long time.

Superman can take jokes at his expense which says a lot about him.

As far as Superman himself goes, both he and Jon Kent are used perfectly in this story. Both father and son ultimately believe in the potential of people to be better; their compassion and sense of humor service the narrative well.

Superman often carries the reputation of being a "Boy Scout" who does things strictly by the book. While that is true to a point, he is no stick-in-the-mud; he can laugh at his own expense and rarely takes animosity from others personally. His appearance at the end alongside his son perfectly encapsulates what makes him great, especially when dealing with people who have checkered pasts. He legitimately wants The Creeper and Livewire to succeed—and perhaps more importantly, he wants them to be happy.

The “Bill Zarro’s World” short was an absolute gut-buster, trading heartfelt emotion for belly laughs as we see life through the lens of an otherwise normal working man who finds himself in a world that’s anything but. Bizarro and Bizarro World are such classic Superman concepts that never get old, and seeing the mundane, everyday trappings of that dimension was consistently fun.

Between the visual gags and the fact that poor Bill absolutely did not want to return home, the comic captured the strange whimsy that classic Man of Steel stories can tap into with the right writer at the helm. It’s a quick, breezy read designed to make you smile and appreciate that Superman doesn’t always have to be dealing with a Crisis. Sometimes, he can just agree not to take you back to your terrible family and job, allowing you to live in a backwards alternate dimension instead. And if that’s not heroic, I don’t know what is.

The art in this issue is presented by Ig Guara with colors by Fabi Marques on “Creepers,” complemented by the work of Rosi Kämpe and colorist Trish Mulvihill for “Bill Zarro’s World.” The styles and linework complement each story perfectly.

In “Creepers,” both leads stand out. Livewire is a conventionally attractive woman—albeit with blue skin (which turns a pretty adorable purple when she blushes)—and possesses soft features that sharpen and grow powerful when she’s invoking her power. There’s impressive attention to detail, such as the way her hair stands on end when she’s channeling electricity.

The Creeper, meanwhile, is drawn to be as unsettling as possible—no small task given his visual history. This version doesn't look like sheer nightmare fuel, which I feel is a good call; he can be scary, but he’s more "creepy" than a full-blown horror monster, which is exactly the point. His grin and almost empty eyes really sell the persona. Whereas Livewire is defined by neat, soft lines, Creeper looks rough and chaotic, as if the manic energy within him could cause the actual illustration to fall apart. It’s a fantastic visual dichotomy.

In “Bill Zarro’s World,” the deliberate changes between our world and Bizarro World are fantastic. The most obvious shifts involve the Bizarro citizens, who are drawn with chalk-white complexions—much like the original Bizarro himself—and have almost permanent grins etched onto their faces, with ragged, rough lines appearing like cracks in their skin.

There are also the small details, such as replacing the circular wheels on vehicles with square tires and the depiction of street lamps as crooked and angular. The buildings in Bizarro Metropolis are fundamentally impossible-looking, featuring slanted windows and uneven floors. It all comes together in a wonderfully… well, bizarre fashion that makes the whole short pop in the best, zany Silver Age-esque way.

Final Thoughts and Review

I’m really hoping they stick around as a couple.

Superman: Chains of Love is what I would call an ideal one-shot in the sense that it isn’t bogged down by messy continuity, it is accessible to literally anyone, and the art and story come together for a truly enjoyable experience. The two stories contained therein serve to expand the world of Earth’s greatest superhero and show us just how creepy and bizarre Metropolis can wind up being.

Final Review: 9/10

That man is so happy and he deserves it.

Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, Superman: Chains of Love is the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. Whether that someone happens to be a friend, a family member, a partner, or even yourself, it’s a gift worth giving—and certainly one worth getting. Packed with plenty of heart and even more humor, Chains of Love is a near-perfect momentary distraction from the heavy stakes and severity of DC’s mainline universe and the Absolute imprint.