“Supernatural” has a Valentine’s Day special? But the leads are brothers, and anyone they care about dies horribly… this isn’t some kind of icky slash-fic thing, is it?
It’s not.
Thank goodness.
Okay, then, let’s see what we’ve got.
Sensationalist Headline Here
That sounds like something you’d see as the headline for one of the magazines at the supermarket checkout line, not a metropolitan newspaper
Sam and Dean Winchester have rolled into Huntington, West Virginia, to investigate a case that has "supernatural" written all over it. A local woman, Betsy Caldwell, was found mauled by what was presumed to be a wild animal—but with "strange" teeth marks that no one can identify, it’s clearly right up the brothers’ alley.
Adding to the town’s oddities is a month-long streak of couples breaking up one by one, a trend so rampant it earned the local newspaper headline seen above. It takes the boys a minute to connect the dots, but cut them some slack; they’re still young at this point in the series.
Eventually, Sam and Dean uncover exactly who—or what—is behind the chaos. It’s a genuinely interesting reveal that I won't spoil here. Before you know it, the day is saved, the people of Huntington are free to love again, and the Winchesters walk away with exactly what they needed: some free therapy for Sam and a slice of pie for Dean. Everybody wins!
Better to Have Loved and Lost…
At least at this point in the series he still remembers her…
This was an enjoyable read. The extra page count afforded by this special really gave the story more room to breathe compared to the standard ongoing series. The concept of a town where people fall out of love hits Sam Winchester much harder at this point in the timeline than it would later, as he is still visceral reeling from the death of Jessica.
Interestingly, the reveal of the culprit and their respective power level feels more in line with later-season foes; this story serves as a successful bridge between early-series characterization and high-stakes supernatural threats.
There were moments where Dean Winchester came across as a bit too much of a douche, but again, he hasn’t "grown up" yet. He’s still the brash, young hunter used to operating on his own terms—someone who isn't yet "soft" like his brother. While it makes him slightly unlikable at times, it’s accurate for this era of the show. Ultimately, much like other stories set during this time period, Sam appropriately takes the lion's share of the narrative focus.
Cupid’s Helpers
Admit it, you want a hat like that
The creative team for this special is a significantly shorter list than the ongoing series, but no less effective. Writing is handled by Preeti Chhibber, who—while mostly known for her middle-grade work like the excellent Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma—captures the voices of the Winchester brothers with impressive accuracy.
Sam is portrayed as the soulful, grieving hunter wearing his heart on his sleeve, while Dean is the brash, occasionally jerkish older brother who is as quick to hit on a pretty girl as he is to order a slice of pie. The "baddie" is particularly refreshing, sporting a well-rounded backstory and clear motivations that elevate them beyond a simple monster-of-the-week. Thanks to the expanded page count, Chhibber keeps the pacing steady without ever feeling rushed.
Art duties are fulfilled by Pasquale Qualano, an Italian artist with an extensive resume. His work here is strong, capturing reasonable likenesses of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. While Sam’s hair is arguably a bit too long for this specific point in the timeline, it is his most iconic look, so I’ll let it slide. Qualano manages to keep the investigative "talking head" scenes visually engaging through creative panel layouts and dynamic compositions. When the action finally kicks in, it’s fluid and easy to follow.
Arancia Studio handles the colors, and they do a fantastic job. Much of the story is set during the daytime—a rarity for the typically shadow-drenched Supernatural—allowing for a bright, vibrant palette. When the antagonist finally appears, the studio utilizes some impressive glowing effects that make the character truly stand out against the Huntington backdrop.
Like a Box of Chocolates…
Foreshadowing much?
Supernatural Valentine’s Day Special 2026 is a solid, done-in-one tale set during the early days of the TV series that accurately captures the spirit of the show at that time. The characterization is grounded, the "monster of the week" is genuinely interesting, and the narrative wraps up with a satisfying sense of finality. While there are minor quibbles—such as Dean Winchester once again having less to do than Sam—they don’t detract from the enjoyment of the issue as a whole.
Chocolates are synonymous with Valentine’s Day, and as Forrest Gump famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” Well, in this case, you actually do know. You’re getting a solid story that will make fans feel right at home and might even inspire newcomers to finally check out the series.