Sunday, February 27, 2011

Comic Book Couples Going Strong

Love exists in comic books and there are many characters who prove it. Here are my choices for the top five comic book couples. Feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree.

5. Green Arrow and Black Canary: Green Arrow, Oliver Queen, is the world's greatest archer in the DC Comics universe. Dinah Lance, Black Canary, is an expert martial artist and is blessed with a sonic scream. As members of the Justice League of America, Black Canary met Green Arrow. They fell in love and have been a couple for decades. They married in the comics in 2007 and for a while had a series together, Green Arrow and Black Canary. According to the announcements of upcoming titles on the site DCComics.com, the title will revert to Green Arrow beginning with issue No. 31.

Reed and Sue joined the Avengers during Inferno.
4. Reed and Sue Richards: They have been married longer than any other superhero couple. They are members of Marvel Comics team the Fantastic Four, going by the names Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman. Many fans forget, but the Fantastic Four is Marvel Comics' first superhero team in the Silver Age and was very popular in the 1960s. Adding to Reed and Sue's importance is the fact Sue was Marvel's first female hero in the Silver Age. Reed and Sue married in Fantastic Four Annual #3 from 1965.

In the late 1980s, Reed and Sue tried retiring from the Fantastic Four to lead a more normal life and raise their son, Franklin. However, they were drawn into the event called Inferno and ended up joining the Avengers for a very short time (about six issues) after being invited to join by Steve Rogers, Captain America. They ended up returning to the Fantastic Four after Crystal left the team and the Thing became human again, leaving the group with two members, the Human Torch and the second Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura).

3. Hawkman and Hawkgirl: Whether we are talking about the Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl (Carter and Shiera Hall) or the Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl (Katar and Shayera Hol), Hawkman and Hawkgirl are among the most famous of comic book couples. I like all the hawks, but am slightly more interested in the originals from the 1940s.

The Golden Age Hawkgirl was Shiera Hall, the reincarnation of the Egyptian princess Chay-Ara, and partner of Carter Hall, the Hawkman. Centuries ago, Chay-Ara and Hawkman (Prince Khufu) were killed by Hath Set with a knife forged from an alien substance called Nth metal. The properties of the metal affected them strangely, causing them to be reborn over and over again, life after life. They are the current hawk couple in DC Comics stories.

2. Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson: Spider-Man, Peter Parker, actually dated other girls throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but eventually he settled down with Mary Jane. They were married in the 1980s and have also been immortalized on film in the Spider-Man movies. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst played Peter Parker and Mary Jane perfectly. It will be interesting to see how new actors take over the characters in the upcoming Spider-Man film. Although, it appears Dunst will not return as Mary Jane in Spider-Man 4; but, it is a fact Andrew Garfield plays Spider-Man. Garfield has appeared in theater, film, and television.

Clark and Lois continue to grow closer on Smallville.
1. Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. There is no doubt in this comic book reader's mind that Clark Kent and Lois Lane make up the most famous comic book couple. Throughout the comic books, movies, and television shows, this is the hottest comic book couple. It was a treat to see the couple finally married in the 1990s and they remain married to this day. The wedding of Clark and Lois in the 90s was planned to coincide with the wedding on the TV series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Personally, I enjoy Tom Welling and Erica Durance (from the television series Smallville) as Clark and Lois more than other incarnations.

Agree with my choices? Disagree with my choices? Let me know your thoughts.

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