Everyone wants to hear a good love story.
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Comic books have provided us with some of the best love stories of all time that eventually lead to powerful team-ups as the couples work together to take down threats.
Not all comic book love stories have happy endings; some are rather tumultous and heatbreaking. But this only makes the characters more relatable and more human.
Some superhero power couples join together to fight a common enemy, while others just end up fighting against each other, which has led to battles of epic proportions.
The Flash’s (Wally West) ex-girlfriend Magenta took down an entire sports stadium in Central City to get back at him and his new lady.
If you said comic book romances are similar to dramatic soap operas – you’re absolutely right.
Even though there has always been love in comic books, like Batman and Catwoman, Green Arrow an Black Canary, Vision and Scarlet Witch – we chose a few that might possibly be rekindled again in upcoming comics, television shows, and movies.
With that said, let’s take a look at some definitive superhero power couples…
Joker & Harley Quinn
Obviously these two nutcases are the the most popular comic book power couple. Not because the have the perfect relationship, but because Harley is the only thing that has managed to distract the Joker from killing Batman.
These two maniacs have the most heartbreaking history of them all. We first met Harley Quinn when she popped out of a cake in Batman: The Animated Series as part of of an evil trick.
It wasn’t until Mad Love that we learned the true story of their rather sick connection. Basically the Joker was being treated by Dr. Harleen Quinzell when he manipulated her into falling for him.
After he pushed her into the same vat of chemicals that created him she became Harley Quinn – a lovesick clown criminal and loyal sidekick.
Joker soon realized that his feelings for Harley were distracting him from his ultimate goal of destroying Gotham City. Since then their relationship mainly consisted of mind-games, tricks, and plenty of violence.
In the comics, the Joker used Harley for many of schemes making the two an unstoppable pair. But once he was done, he always tried to get rid of her. He even shot her off into space to die, but she still came crawling back to him. This isn’t saying Harley didn’t pull off some equally cruel acts against the Joker as well.
When Harley and Posion Ivy became best friends, Ivy knocked some sense into her. Harley discovered her strengths and eventually rose above her abusive relationship, left the Joker and decided to find herself in her latest ongoing series.
Either way, these two psyhopatchs still beat the bloody crap out of each other.
We’ll most likely see more of these two in live-action, especially since Harley is getting her own spinoff movie and Jared Leto’s Joker hardly got any screen time in Suicide Squad.
Aquaman & Mera
Mera was already a queen when she met Aquaman.
In the comics, the two protectors of the sea were introduced as equals. Together, they went on to rule the underwater city of Atlantis and the seven seas as a fierce power couple.
Way back in the 1960’s, Aquaman and Mera were the first major superhero couple to get married on the page. Soon after, they had a son named Arthur Curry, Jr. also known as Aquababy.
They did suffer through some rough waters, but they always managed to find each other in the end.
Through various storylines, including the death and resurrection of Aquaman, a very violent Mera on land, and even battles between the two, Mera and Aquaman always returned to support each other.
Together, they defeated Leron, Black Manta, Black Lanterns, Siren, and a squad of evil jellyfish.
Mera, played by Amber Heard will be making her cinematic debut alongside Aquaman (Jason Momoa) in the DCEU’s upcoming film, Justice League.
Midnighter & Apollo
Midnighter and Apollo made their definitive debut in 1998 and were gay analogues of Batman (Midnighter) and Superman (Apollo).
They dated, eventually married, adopted a child and had an on-again, off-again relationship. They were the first gay couple in DC comics, which was rather groundbreaking at the time.
Midnighter is well-known for his extreme acts of violence and killing, while Apollo is known for powers that are dependant on the sun. They work well together…just like Superman and Batman.
They were both members of The Authority, Wildstorm’s (an alternate universe) top tier superhero team (similar to Justice League) and adopted Jenny Quantum. When the events of Flashpoint folded the Wildstorm Universe into the DC Comics New 52 universe, both characters had their history rewritten.
At the end of Gay Pride Month earlier this year, DC announced that Midnighter and Apollo would be teaming up again this October for a six-issue series from Steve Orlando who said:
“They have a firmer idea of who they are, and they’ve become stronger and more confident together. This is the World’s Finest Couple — kicking back and making each other better than they are on their own.“
Superman & Wonder Woman
Who wouldn’t want to get rid of Lois Lane, a clingy, whiney human, for the most powerful superheroine in the world? These two were unstoppable.
The inevitable relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman was almost ignored (other than a few writers making a joke here and there) until they landed their own team-up series from 2011-2016 in the rebooted New 52 universe – the first issue being Power Couple.
While some fans have been waiting their entire lives to see the two most powerful superheroes finally get together, others were rather upset when the marriage between Superman and Lois Lane dissolved.
That moment when they finally kissed on the page in Justice League #12 (as the rest of the Justice League was crumbling) was both amazing and cringe-worthy.
Although there was plently of punching going on, the series revolved around their relationship, love for each other, and ultimately their deep-seated emotions.
Tony Daniel, the artist behind Superman and Wonder Woman had this to say at Fan Expo 2013:
“I mentioned maybe, can we create a book that targets a little bit more of the female readership that’s been growing. And maybe a book that has a little bit of romance in it, a little big of sex appeal, you know, something that would, for lack of a better example, that hits on the Twilight audience.”
Although Superman did end up in Lois Lane’s bed – in the end he chose Wonder Woman.
However, since DC’s latest reboot Rebirth, everything has changed…again.
In the DCEU, we’re more likely to see a live-action love story between Batman and Wonder Woman, considering how many times Mr. Wayne checks her out in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
But we wouldn’t complain if we see an on screen spark between Superman and Wonder Woman, instead.
Luke Cage & Jessica Jones
And finally…a Marvel couple that just happens to be the most realistic on this list.
Yes, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage have super powers, but they sort of live just like everyone else does.
They first met as friends when Jessica Jones was running her detective agency in Alias. Luke and Jessica gradually become closer as Luke offered her tips on her cases. They eventually became attracted to one another and gave way to one night of passion.
After their hook-up they were a bit confused about how to act towards, but as soon as they were paired up again as Daredevils bodyguards, Jessica revealed that their romp had gotten her pregnant.
In the comics, they took a rather conservative path. Jessica and Luke moved in together, had a daughter named Danielle, and got married – all while fighting crime on the streets.
What makes them the most realistic power couple, is that they moved through the motions just like we do, they fight and make up, they struggle a bit being first-time parents, and they met in a completely normal way.
Jessica Jones and her agency Alias are being rebooted shortly with a new comic book series, while the Marvel/Netflix series Luke Cage is set to premiere on September 30. We’ve already seen the pair together in Jessica Jones, and we like them together both fighting in the streets and…in the bedroom.
While we don’t know where the two live-action versions are headed, we would like to see them end up together, baby or not. We do know that they will be teaming up again in Marvel’s The Defenders and their relationship may be alluded to in Luke Cage.
