MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Within the glossy pages of comic books, love can take center stage too. As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the most iconic and enduring couples in the comic book universe. Beyond the epic battles and superhero personas, these characters showcase the depth and complexity of romantic relationships.
While many superhero comics are all about conflicts, the best ones center on character relationships, specifically the romantic ones. Here are, arguably, the best couples in comics:
Peter Parker and MJ Watson
As Spider-Man, Peter is a down-on-his-luck superhero. MJ is an actress and fashion model who seemingly lives to have fun. Yet somehow, they’ve become this unlikely couple. MJ sees Peter for who he really is: someone who wants to do right by others. Likewise, Peter finds that beneath her vacuous projection, a genuine kindness that touches him deeply.
Jesse Custer and Tulip O’Hare
As ex-lovers destined to reunite, Tulip is now a wannabe assassin, while Jesse’s a preacher with the power to make people obey his commands. Together, their passion is so fiery that anyone or anything that threatens to tear them apart is in danger of getting seriously hurt or worse. While what they do to keep their relationship together is controversial, the kind of love makes one feel alive.
Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne
He’s Batman, the scourge of Gotham’s criminals, and she’s Catwoman, thief extraordinaire. They’re clearly at cross purposes, but their attraction for each other cannot be denied. As cliché as it sounds, opposites attract, and nothing is more quintessential than their relationship. And when the Bat is in hot pursuit after the Cat, it’s almost like they both enjoy the chase…
Bruce Banner and Betty Ross
At a time when he thought the Hulk, his darker side, was gone, Bruce fought off his suppressive emotions and married his long-suffering paramour Betty. Theirs is a doomed romance. Betty tries to stay strong and steadfast for Bruce, the Hulk, and all the trauma surrounding the monster gets in the way. Despite all that, they somehow find a way back to each other.
Lois Lane and Clark Kent
After decades of secretly pining for each other, Clark revealed to his journalist girlfriend Lois that he was Superman. They eventually got married and started a family. While good drama is the engine that makes for great stories, Lois and Clark give readers hope that stable and loving marriages can exist in comics as well as real life.
EDITORS’ PICKS:
The comic book nerds in adobo’s editorial team were so excited about this topic, they couldn’t let the chance to slip in some of their own favorite superhero couples pass. Here’s what they had to say:
Wiccan and Hulkling
One is the magically self-conceived (and later reincarnated) son of the Avengers’ Scarlet Witch. The other is the lovechild of two figureheads from warring alien factions, later revealed to be the rightful heir to an intergalactic throne. Together, Wiccan and Hulkling are one of the most wholesome couples in comics history, and eloped during a ridiculously cute secret Vegas wedding surrounded only by their closest friends (just before an end-of-the-world scenario, naturally).
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn
It’s a classic friends-to-lovers story: two girls meet up, rob a museum, brainwash Batman, and eventually realize they want to be partners in more than just crime. The real beauty in Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn’s relationship, though, is how it shows us the staggering contrast between toxic relationships and supportive ones. Harley was first introduced to audiences as the Joker’s verbally abuse moll, but later stories explored her regaining her sense of agency, liberating herself from the clown, and choosing someone who truly, genuinely loved her.
Aquaman and Mera
It doesn’t get more power couple-y than the reigning monarchs of an undersea kingdom. That wasn’t always the case, though — when Mera was first introduced in 1963, she was (like most female characters) simply the love interest for Aquaman. Modern stories now feature her as his equal both in stature and power dynamics; sometimes, she’s even recognized as the more ferocious fighter. And Aquaman, as all men should, doesn’t let any insecurities get in the way of letting his partner shine. This couple also gets bonus points for proving that being in a hetero relationship doesn’t make someone any less bisexual (that’s kinda the point of being bi, duh).
