By: Aurora Willis

I love, love. Even as a kid I loved watching love in my various types of media. Whether it was the couples in cartoon or on sitcoms, I was here for it. I don’t know why it just that something about seeing people in love made me happy. When I got into superheroes I found that their was something different about the couples. That it wasn’t just about passion, drama, and tension; although it does have all of that. For these Superhero couples love was about partnership, respect, and devotion. Superheroes couples taught me love was more than just a feeling. It was a force that could inspire amazing feats and even change in someone. Since discovering this I have followed varies superhero couples across various medias. I have seen these couples at their absolute best and worst, though I blame the worst on bad writing, and to this day they still stick with me. Now this is my own list, I am not trying to say that this is the definitive comic book superhero couple list. Also, I defiantly have more favorites that I might touch upon another day. Lastly, I know some of the couples on my list are controversial in the superhero fandom, to say the least, but I will explain everything.

Superman and Lois Lane

This couple is the definition of the quote “I Love You, In Every Universe” throughout Superman’s 88 years of earth shattering heroics. Lois has been by his side, fighting the battles he can’t punch his way out of, shading light on the truth, and making sure that there is accountability in the DC Universe. The two compliment each other so well, that if their relationship isn’t featured in any type of Superman media, it almost feels off. However, what truly drew me to the couple was just how different they are from each other, and I’m not just talking about the fact that he is a powerful alien and she is just human. Superman/Clark is a character that epitomizes hope. He believes in the inherit goodness of others, giving him a very optimistic view of the world. While Lois is a reporter who has no doubt seen the worst of the world. Feels that she must question everything and everyone, which has given her a somewhat cynical view of the world. What I love about Superman and Lois’s relationship is, without even trying, they influence each other. They both know that they have different ways of seeing the world, but they never try to change each other. The way they influence each other is by being inspired by each other. Through their relationship, Lois learns to be more open and hopeful, while Superman learns that some people are just bad, and no matter how hard you might try, you can’t change someone who doesn’t want to change.

Winter Solider and Black Widow

I will never not shut up about this criminally underrated couple. At first glance this couple doesn’t seem to make sense, like it is some kind of random ship someone threw together. But once you look at their actual history, you will find yourself unable to imagine them with anyone else. Black Widow and the Winter Solider met during her Red Room days and his Hydra days. They trained with each other and even went on mission together. They started their relationship in secret, knowing their superiors would never allow it. Despite the dangers, the two couldn’t stay away from each other. Back then the world saw them as weapons to be used, but to each other they were human. They were inevitably caught, and through cryostasis and brainwashing were separated. The two were eventually reunited when they were freed from their evil originations and took on the role of hero. Because of their shared past, and the fact that they both became heroes to make up for their dark past, Black Widow and the Winter Solider share a mutual trust that is not really seen in their other relationships. However, what truly makes their relationship stand out is their devotion to one another’s well being. When the shadows of their past become to much they lean on one another, and they are not afraid to be vulnerable and normal together. Black Widow, the Marvel Universe’s greatest spy, helps to throw this man a birthday party complete with a birthday cake with 80 candles. This couple and their story are really special to me because of what they bring out in each other, and it kills me that their relationship is only showcased in the comics and a handful of games.

Green Arrow and Black Canary

As a kid watching Justice League: Unlimited, this couple taught me the definition of the word: chemistry. From the moment Black Canary and Green Arrow met, through flirting and banter, you can tell that there is something there. A kind of chemistry that can’t be explained, and it is not limited to their relationship either. When Green Arrow and Black Canary fight together its as if they are an extension of each other. They work together so well you would think that they have a psychic bond. The two make such a great dynamic duo they give any pair a run for their money. Whether it is on the battlefield or off, these two just complement each other; their strengths and their weaknesses. However, the thing that truly makes this couple stand out is how they are both able to be a team and their own heroes. While their worlds often come together, Both Green Arrow and Black Canary have jobs, interests, and groups that are outside of their relationship. They are basically the Superhero equivalent to a real life power couple. Able to balance both independence and connection. Its this mixture of chemistry and balance that makes them such a great couple to watch, so much so that when they are paired with other characters across media’s, the absences of the things their relationship bring to the table can be felt. Like we are missing out on one of the worlds greatest teams. While these two may be amazing on their own, they are truly something else together.

Cyclops and Jean Grey

Speaking of psyche bounds. Forget Romeo and Juliet, these two are what I call the definitive star-crossed lovers. These two have been though a lot, even by superhero couple standers, but that is what makes them so endearing. No matter what comes between them, the challenges they face, the mistakes they make, in the end they always come back together because they always choose each other. I remember watching Cyclops and Jean Grey on X-Men: The Animated Series, from the scene where Cyclops and the X-Men fight like hell to protect Jean from the Shi’ar Empire. To Cyclops refusing to give up on Jean even as she was giving up on herself. To the final moments of the episode where Cyclops tries to sacrifice his life force for hers. I remember watching that whole storyline and thinking, “Wow, so that’s love!” I think part of the reason these two kept on being drawn to each other is because together they are the life blood of the X-Men. Being Xavier’s first students, Cyclops and Jean Grey have worked with each other from the very beginning. They both passionately believed in the Professor’s dream of human mutant equality, and that passion didn’t just bring and keep an entire team together, it brought them together. Through each other Cyclops and Jean soon found someone to help them not only build a better world for others, but build a life for themselves as well. Its because of this connection, formed on years of working together and supporting each other, is the reason why that no matter what Marvel throws their way, they will always come back stronger.

Nightwing and Starfire

I know this might be a little biased, as I did grow up watching Teen Titans as a kid, but this knowledge doesn’t stop me from not only shipping these two, but hoping that someday they will be together again in the comics. To me, as a couple, Nightwing and Starfire are great because they help each other grow. In comics, it is hard for well-known characters to grow and change. If a character is popular enough, it’s often hard for writers to shake up the status quo of said character. If not received well by fans, it will quite literally cost them. However, once in a while they get it right, like when Robin became Nightwing. With Starfire’s support and encouragement, Nightwing found the independence and will to shed his former role as a sidekick and become his very own hero completely outside of Batman. Starfire also helped Nightwing work to express his emotions, something Batman wasn’t able to do because he can’t do it himself. While on the flip side, Nightwing not only helped Starfire adjust to life on earth, but balance her emotions as well. As a Tamaranean, Starfire feels every emotion very violently. When she first got to earth the main thing she was feeling was rage. Which made sense given that she had just escaped her captors. Through Nightwing, Starfire was able to learn about the importance of regulating her emotion, especially while heroing. This helped Starfire become more of a Superhero rather than a Tamaranean warrior. The way this couple have positivity shaped each other is the reason why I stand firmly on this side of the shipping war.

Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy

Okay, okay before you Spider-Man and Mary Jane shippers get your torches and pitch forks out, let me make two things clear. One, I don’t dislike Spider-Man and MJ as a couple, far from it, they are probably one of the most iconic Superhero couples out there beside Superman and Lois. In fact, I really wish Marvel would just stop messing with their relationship and actually let them be together. I mean come on, they have retconned before they can do it again. And two, I grew up watching The Spectacular Spider-Man once a month as well as The Amazing Spider-Man movies. Both featured Spider-Man and Gwen as the main couple so excuse me for letting those things shape my child brain. Anyway, I think the thing that really draws me to these two is they had so much potential. Stan Lee himself said that he wanted Spider-Man and Gwen to be endgame, so he created Gwen to be Spider-Man’s dream girl. I feel that with the right writers and given what we know about the character of Gwen Stacy (thanks to her 2020 limited series, with her scientific mind and detective skills) she would have been the perfect partner for both Spider-Man and Peter Parker. But I guess we will never know, which only adds to the tragedy of their story.