Top Five Friday (No. 2)
Top Five Friday
-Number 2 (Two)-
-Top Five Romances In Comic Books-
-Number 2 (Two)-
-Top Five Romances In Comic Books-
Well, in writing this blog, there were at least two things I realized. First of all, I have been wildly inconsistent with my blogging. In what I hoped would be a weekly installment or at least a semi-regularly installment, this is only my second Top Five Friday, which is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Second of all, I realize that this would've been far more timely preceding the holiday of Valentine's Day, but one thing I'm certain of is that romance should be in season no matter what.
If you're still looking for a little romantic inspiration, you really can't go wrong with some of the classic romances found within the printed pages of the graphic novels found in your local bookstore (half price or otherwise) or feel free to support your local comic book shop. Many of these romances stretch over years, time, space, over continents, through numerous stories and situations that defy belief.
As one of my favorite characters from television, Logan Echolls put it to describe another one of my favorite romances on one of my favorite television shows (Veronica Mars), "I thought our story was epic, you know? You and me. Spanning years, and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic!" Indeed. These are some of the most epic romances ever put to the printed page and deserve to be treated as such.
Without further ado -
If you're still looking for a little romantic inspiration, you really can't go wrong with some of the classic romances found within the printed pages of the graphic novels found in your local bookstore (half price or otherwise) or feel free to support your local comic book shop. Many of these romances stretch over years, time, space, over continents, through numerous stories and situations that defy belief.
As one of my favorite characters from television, Logan Echolls put it to describe another one of my favorite romances on one of my favorite television shows (Veronica Mars), "I thought our story was epic, you know? You and me. Spanning years, and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic!" Indeed. These are some of the most epic romances ever put to the printed page and deserve to be treated as such.
Without further ado -
5. Bigby Wolf and Snow White (Fables) -
Snow White: "Do you think happily ever after is possible after all?"
Bigby Wolf: "We'll see."
With these two, I certainly hope so and can't wait to see what happens next. This is certainly one of the newer romances on the list, since the critically acclaimed series Fables has only been around since 2002. However, the characters are based on two names in the literary world that everybody is familiar with (Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf) ensures their status on the list. I won't spoil anything about their romance (although including them on this list is a minor spoiler already), but I am a big fan of this relationship and can't wait to see them continue to blow other relationships away in the comic book scene.
4. Batman and Catwoman (Batman) -
Batman: "I'll do everything I can to rehabilitate you."
Catwoman: "Marry me."
Batman: "Everything except that." (He'll come around...)
If you thought your ideal of romantic tension is Ross & Rachel or Jim & Pam, they have nothing on Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. The underlying chemistry between the two is a constant in the Batman universe and a tantalizing tease on whether these two vigilantes will ever officially embrace each other in order to realize their relationship. They've been enemies, allies, lovers and no matter what, the dichotomy between the two has yet to grow old. Once Batman returns this coming year, I'll be interested to see what new path their relationship takes as they fight crime, and occasionally each other, in Gotham City.
3. Scott Summers and Jean Grey (X-Men)
"Once upon a time, there was a woman named Jean Grey, a man named Scott Summers.
They were young.
They were in love.
They were heroes."In those few sentences, Chris Claremont defined one of the greatest romances in the history of comic books. Jean Grey belongs with Scott Summers. No doubt in my mind. When it comes to Scott and Jean, their love truly does stretch across time and space, in some cases quite literally when the Phoenix Force becomes involved. Their story has seen its fair share of complications, twists and turns, ups and downs, the most recent being that Jean Grey is currently not among the living. However, like the Phoenix, I'm certain that Jean Grey will be back and their romance will burn even brighter than before.
2. Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson (Spider-Man)
"You just hit the jackpot, tiger!" - Mary Jane Watson.
Peter Parker certainly did and as it turns out, so did the readers. Out of the death of one of the most ideal romances and characters ever (Gwen Stacy), came what turned out to be one of the better (if not one of the best) romances in comic books. As big a fan as I am of Spider-Man, it's almost inconceivable to me that they aren't number one on the list, but recent events (One More Day) have forced me to place them at number two as Marvel appears to want us to pretend that they never happened. Ever. At all. But, in spite of Mephisto or Marvel editors, these two are undeniably unforgettable. We'll see these two together again and the comic book universe will be better off for it. We all will.
1. Clark Kent and Lois Lane (Superman) - Even without the most recent events of One More Day over, it'd be hard not to place these two at number 1. Lois and Clark.
"Lois Lane: Will we see you? Around?
Superman: I am always around."
- Superman Returns
And if we're lucky, this couple always will be. For over 70 years now, this has been the definitive comic book romance. From the start, it was always Clark Kent in love with Lois Lane, while Lois Lane is madly in love with Superman, always so close to discovering his secret identity, although common sense would always indicate that she knew before Clark Kent trusted her enough to reveal the secret. Regardless, that old familiar dynamic is a thing of the past as they've been married for many years now and now, their romance is probably one of the strongest you'll find in the comic book universe or anywhere else. Nothing can stop these two - they've been through it all and come out even better every single time. Superman and Lois Lane really do soar up, up and away over all the other couples as this is the stuff that superhero love stories are made of.
Snow White: "Do you think happily ever after is possible after all?"
Bigby Wolf: "We'll see."
With these two, I certainly hope so and can't wait to see what happens next. This is certainly one of the newer romances on the list, since the critically acclaimed series Fables has only been around since 2002. However, the characters are based on two names in the literary world that everybody is familiar with (Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf) ensures their status on the list. I won't spoil anything about their romance (although including them on this list is a minor spoiler already), but I am a big fan of this relationship and can't wait to see them continue to blow other relationships away in the comic book scene.
4. Batman and Catwoman (Batman) -
Batman: "I'll do everything I can to rehabilitate you."
Catwoman: "Marry me."
Batman: "Everything except that." (He'll come around...)
If you thought your ideal of romantic tension is Ross & Rachel or Jim & Pam, they have nothing on Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. The underlying chemistry between the two is a constant in the Batman universe and a tantalizing tease on whether these two vigilantes will ever officially embrace each other in order to realize their relationship. They've been enemies, allies, lovers and no matter what, the dichotomy between the two has yet to grow old. Once Batman returns this coming year, I'll be interested to see what new path their relationship takes as they fight crime, and occasionally each other, in Gotham City.
3. Scott Summers and Jean Grey (X-Men)
"Once upon a time, there was a woman named Jean Grey, a man named Scott Summers.
They were young.
They were in love.
They were heroes."
2. Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson (Spider-Man)
"You just hit the jackpot, tiger!" - Mary Jane Watson.
Peter Parker certainly did and as it turns out, so did the readers. Out of the death of one of the most ideal romances and characters ever (Gwen Stacy), came what turned out to be one of the better (if not one of the best) romances in comic books. As big a fan as I am of Spider-Man, it's almost inconceivable to me that they aren't number one on the list, but recent events (One More Day) have forced me to place them at number two as Marvel appears to want us to pretend that they never happened. Ever. At all. But, in spite of Mephisto or Marvel editors, these two are undeniably unforgettable. We'll see these two together again and the comic book universe will be better off for it. We all will.
1. Clark Kent and Lois Lane (Superman) - Even without the most recent events of One More Day over, it'd be hard not to place these two at number 1. Lois and Clark.
"Lois Lane: Will we see you? Around?
Superman: I am always around."
- Superman Returns
And if we're lucky, this couple always will be. For over 70 years now, this has been the definitive comic book romance. From the start, it was always Clark Kent in love with Lois Lane, while Lois Lane is madly in love with Superman, always so close to discovering his secret identity, although common sense would always indicate that she knew before Clark Kent trusted her enough to reveal the secret. Regardless, that old familiar dynamic is a thing of the past as they've been married for many years now and now, their romance is probably one of the strongest you'll find in the comic book universe or anywhere else. Nothing can stop these two - they've been through it all and come out even better every single time. Superman and Lois Lane really do soar up, up and away over all the other couples as this is the stuff that superhero love stories are made of.
These are my top five, but there are so many other relationships that you can read about in comic books that are just as great. For example Bruce Banner and Betty Ross (a real Beauty and the Beast story), Reed And Sue Richards, Ralph and Sue Dibney (not even death can separate them), Green Arrow and Black Canary, Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and Carol Ferris, Wally West and Linda Parks. If you're twisted, you could look at the example set forth by Harley Quinn and the Joker. Oh, and let's not forget Hawkman and Hawgirl, who continually are reincarnated and killed throughout history, only to find each other and fall in love again. Regardless of your opinion of graphic novels, that is epic.
Even though good romance finds joy in the day to day, in the little things that make your relationship work, in the tiny things that only you know and make you smile even when you're having a bad day, and rejoices in just finding comfort knowing that they're there - who doesn't want a little epic awesomeness in their love story? Everybody does.
Even though good romance finds joy in the day to day, in the little things that make your relationship work, in the tiny things that only you know and make you smile even when you're having a bad day, and rejoices in just finding comfort knowing that they're there - who doesn't want a little epic awesomeness in their love story? Everybody does.
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