Even though there have been countless hardships that have befallen the heroes atMarvel ComicsandDC Comics, as well as many other publications likeImageandBOOM!, throughout 2022, an amazing array of beautiful new romances all formed, proving love will always defeat evil.There have been so many stunning couples that have formed throughout2022 across the entire world of comics, but the following nine romances are some of the new couples that have stood out the most to readers throughout the year.
Betsy Braddock And Rachel Summers Are An Iconic Queer Couple
After years of titillating build-up throughout Tini Howard's Excalibur and Knights of X, the most iconic Sapphic couple of the year finally got together, with Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers sharing a beautiful kiss on . Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain series - written by Howard with art by Vasco Georgiev - as the two lovers traverse the Multiverse while dealing with British politics, otherworldly villains, and a brand-new relationship.
Damian And Flatline's Young Love Was Shockingly Sweet
In the acclaimed Robin solo series - written by Joshua Williamson with art by Gleb Melnikov - Damian Wayne entered the dangerous League of Lazarus Tournament, which is where he met Flatline. The talented metahuman, who absorbs the skills of anyone who dies in her hands, is the sidekick of Lord Death Man and introduced herself to Damian by literally stealing his heart. Even with a rocky first impression Robin and Flatline quickly formed a strong bond of friendship that developed into a romance. Damian Wayne is known for being... a bit obnoxious, and acting like he is superior to other heroes, so it was a true joy to see the son of Batman be vulnerable with Flatline and allow himself to actually experience some joy and emotion, including getting his first real kiss. While Flatline might have some ulterior motives for getting close to Robin - she did give his heart to Lord Death Man - the young love between the two is no less meaningful and sweet.
Jace And Aaron Brought Love To The House Of Slaughter
One of the most beautiful - and tragic - romances to develop in 2022 was between Jace Boucher and Aaron Slaughter in House of Slaughter, a prequel to the beloved Something is Killing the Children series by James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal, Werther Dell'Edera, and Chris Shehan. Fans of Something have known the ending to Jace and Aaron's love affair for a while, since Aaron was brutally killed by Obscuratype monsters early on in the series, but that did not make the star crossed love affair between the two monster hunters any less meaningful.
Both coming from different monster hunting "houses," they started out as roommates (an excellent queer trope) before Jace helped Aaron to open up emotionally. With Jace, Aaron realized he wanted to spend his life with someone, which led to the two falling in love. Eventually Aaron was tasked with hunting Jace down and killing him, but instead they made love and Jace cut off his own hand so Aaron could "prove" he killed him, before getting killed himself in Something is Killing the Children. A tragic end to a beautiful queer love story.
She-Hulk And Jack Of Hearts' First Kiss Made Readers Swoon
One of the most heartfelt and sweet couples to emerge during 2022 was She-Hulk and Jack of Hearts, whose romance was a core storyline in Rainbow Rowell and Rogê Antônio's She-Hulk solo series. The return of Jack Hart to comics was an exciting moment for many fans of the hero, who hadn't been seen since Scarlet Witch used him to slaughter some Avengers back in Disassembled, and the slow burning relationship between Jack and Jennifer was perfectly timed by Rowell. The couple look stunning together, have so much shared history, and their respect for each other's needs and wants makes them one of 2022's most healthy and genuine romances.
While their story is far from over the latest issue of She-Hulk saw Jack sacrificing his health to regain his powers in an attempt to save She-Hulk, a devastating decision for Jennifer who feels like she always loses the gains she makes, and fans of the couple will need to wait until She-Hulk #10 in February to see what becomes of this iconic new couple.
Diana and Zala's Love Leads To War In Dark Knights Of Steel
DC Comics has some of the best alternate reality comics out there - modeled after their beloved "Elseworlds" publication - and Dark Knights of Steel from Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri continues that trend. Set in medieval times, the comic follows a burgeoning war between the El Kingdom, the Kingdom of Storms, and the Amazons. It turns out that this world's Wonder Woman is in a loving queer relationship with Zala Jor-El, the sister of Superman, and a major antagonist in the war against the Storm Kingdom. Zala brutally murders King Jefferson and his son after assuming they ordered the assassination of her father, and since then continually lied about her actions to her family and to her lover Diana. Regardless of Zala's intentions, her relationship with Diana is the definition of "power couple," and it is always nice to have Wonder Woman portrayed as queer as many of her Amazonian sisters often are.
Kelly & David Are Comics' Most Intimate Couple In Milestone's Duo
One of the most fascinating couples to emerge in 2022 is not exactly "new," but the form they have taken is certainly novel, and provides a truly unique perspective on love, boundaries, and trust. Duo is the first in a new line of Milestone Universe comics from DC Comics - taking place in the universe of Earth-M - and is written by Greg Pak with art by Khoi Pham and Scott Hanna. Duo follows Dr. Kelly Vu and Dr. David Kim, an engaged couple who work together as scientists in nanotechnology. When an experiment goes awry, the two lovebirds are thrust into a single body, with fused minds and all the complexities that follow.
The new superhero Duo is a re-make of the Dakotaverse Milestone hero Xombi, a nanotech-based hero named David Kim, but Duo's relationship makes the character so much deeper and more complex. Plus, it is lovely to see Asian Americans represented in major comics in such a genuine, complex way, making Duo a must-read from 2022, and the combined Vu and Kim one of 2022's best couples.
No One Would Have Guessed DC's Sweetest New Couple
Sean Murphy's ever-expanding "Murphyverse" - which takes place in the alternate reality timeline of Batman: White Knight - surprised everyone with the shocking reveal in Batman: Beyond the White Knight #2 that sentient AI version of Joker inside Bruce's head does not make anything less complicated, and the fascinating three-way relationship is explored by Murphy in unique ways. Plus, Murphy revealed that his wife Katana - who writes for DC Comics and is also a romance novelist - helped him chart out the "will they, won't they" romance between Quinn and Wayne, a great behind-the-scenes detail.
Sebastian And Ezekiel Were Steamy In Sins Of The Black Flamingo
The emergence of Sins of The Black Flamingo - an Image Comics publication written by Andrew Wheeler with stunningly sexy art by Travis Moore - shook the queer comics' community to its core in 2022, with the absolutely salacious thief "The Black Flamingo" quickly winning over hearts and... minds. At the core of the story is a devilishly steamy romance between main character Sebastian Harlow and the Angel he rescued from captivity, the handsome and mysterious Ezekiel. Sebastian immediately fell in love with Ezekiel upon laying eyes upon him - especially since his angelic presence helped to lighten the burden of Sebastian's demonic sight - and the two entered into a brief but ionate love affair. While Sins may have ended with Sebastian freeing Ezekiel from his earthly imprisonment, hopefully the Angel will return to the comic's next volume. If not, then the Black Flamingo may fall for the Golem he saved earlier, Abel, another gorgeous man who is in love with Harlow.
The heroes of DC Comics had to battle against the Great Darkness in the terrifying Dark Crisis, while Marvel Comics most beloved characters faced their worst selves in the epic A.X.E.: Judgment Day, and characters from BOOM! and Image faced their greatest fears, and yet throughout it all, love still blossomed, and found a way to thrive and grow even in the dark.
