Move over Shakespeare because Comic books are also packed with love stories that didn’t quite land that fairy tale ending, whether it involves a superhero or a villain. Despite their super speed, smarts, and powers, these heroes can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to matters of the heart.
Love is a tricky thing, after all. So, here’s a rundown of the ten most heart-wrenching comic book love stories where superheroes and villains alike find themselves unlucky in the domain of love.
Jean Grey and Cyclops
Jean Grey and Cyclops from The X-Men had a love story that was both epic and tragic. They met when they were young and grew to love each other deeply. However, their story took a dark turn during the Dark Phoenix Saga. Jean gets possessed by the powerful Phoenix Force and becomes a danger to everyone around her. To save the universe, she chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice. The penultimate scene shows Jean dying in Cyclops’ arms on the moon.
Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy
Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy’s love story meets one of the saddest ends. The couple met in college and fell in love, but things got complicated because, you know, Peter Parker also moonlights as Spider-Man. The tragedy struck in a comic called The Amazing Spider-Man #121. The Green Goblin, who knew Spider-Man’s real identity, went after Gwen. They ended up on the George Washington Bridge, where the Green Goblin threw Gwen off. Spider-Man tries to save her by catching her midway but fails.
Daredevil and Elektra
Like Pete and Gwen, they met in college and fell hard for each other. We later learn that Elektra’s life is complicated, and things get even more complicated when her father is killed. This changes Elektra, and she goes down a dark path and becomes an assassin. As a result, they went their separate ways, but soon Elektra was killed by Bullseye, leaving the blind superhero in shambles and hungry for revenge.
Wolverine and Mariko Yashida
Mariko was a woman from a crime family in Japan who first met Wolverine when he was still hanging out with the X-Men. At first, she was scared of him, but she soon saw beyond his tough exterior and was won over by his moral code. They fell in love and got engaged, but later, we learn that Mariko was trapped by her duty to her father and his criminal empire. To break away from it, Mariko planned to assassinate her father but was sadly killed by a hitman.
Green Arrow and Black Canary
When you’re talking about tragic couples, and keep Green Arrow, and Black Canary out of it, then it is not much of a conversation. Oliver Queen and Black Canary, aka Dinah Laurel Lance, have faced many challenges together and have fought side by side against the likes of Gorilla Grodd and whatnot! Their love story hit a sad point during “Justice League: Cry For Justice.” Roy Harper’s daughter is killed during a scuffle between Green Arrow and Prometheus. Black Canary felt hurt because Oliver didn’t tell her about it, and eventually, they separated.
Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter
Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America, and Sharon Carter, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, had a complicated love story in the comics. Their relationship was rife with challenges because Sharon, who was actually Peggy Carter’s niece, didn’t know about her aunt’s past with Steve at first. One of the most heartbreaking moments came during the “Civil War” storyline. Sharon was brainwashed by the villain Doctor Faustus and ended up shooting Steve as he was going into a courthouse. When she snapped out of it, she was devastated by what she had done.
Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul
Bruce Wayne, the caped crusader, and Talia Al Ghul, daughter of the notorious Ra’s Al Ghul, have a romance that’s more complicated than Joker’s mind. In Batman: Son of the Demon, things get complicated really fast when Talia drops the bombshell that she’s pregnant with Bruce’s child. However, instead of a happily ever after, Talia decides to keep the baby a secret and fakes its death.
This thought-out plan leads to a split between the two and preps the events for the birth of Damian Wayne, their son, who after grows up to be the feisty new Robin.
Kyle Rayner and Alexandra DeWitt
Imagine being a struggling artist one day and a celestial superhero the next. This is the whirlwind life of Kyle Rayner, who goes from doodling to wielding the power of a Green Lantern ring. Soon, Kyle meets Alexandra DeWitt, a spunky photojournalist, and their love blooms like a flower in a concrete jungle until tragedy strikes. The villain, Major Force, plays the ultimate villain card and brutally ends Alex’s life, leaving her broken body for Kyle to find. So, whenever you think of Kyle Rayner, remember that he is a hero born of sacrifice and loss.
Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor
The next love story on our list starts with passion and ends in pain. This is the story of Cyclops, the leader of the X-Men, and Madelyne Pryor, a woman with a mysterious past. For the sake of context, Madelyne wasn’t just any woman but was actually a clone of Jean Grey, who used to be Cyclops’ former love. When Jean returned from the dead, Cyclops’s heart wavered, and he left Madelyne and their son, Nathan, behind. This leaves Madelyne feeling abandoned and betrayed, and she becomes a wicked Goblin Queen and reigns fire on the couple.
Ralph and Sue Dibny
Ralph Dibny, also known as the stretch-tastic Elongated Man, and his beloved wife, Sue, were the power couple of the DC Comics world who loved solving cases together. Tragedy struck in the “Identity Crisis” storyline when Sue was brutally murdered. This was a critical time that showed the dark side of being a hero. The culprit is found to be Jean Loring, the Atom’s ex-wife, who orchestrated the murder so she could win back the love for her old spouse.
And there you have it, the top 10 most tragic comic book love stories. Did your favorite make the cut? We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments below.