For all its cosmic calamity and intense rivalry, the Marvel Universe is also a place of love. Superheroes like Spider-Man try to balance it with their crimefighting, while heroes like Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic have used it as the basis for their teams. Even supervillains make time for romance.
However, some of Marvel’s best and most interesting couples have been split up over the years. Whether because of death, rebirth, or just plain editorial forgetfulness, many of these relationships did not get as long a shot as they should have. From Avengers to X-Men and everyone in between, there’s room for more love in Marvel’s 616 universe.
Cyclops and Colleen Wing are two characters who are commonly romantically linked with other people. However, for a brief period following the initial death of Jean Grey, the two characters started dating. Though the romance was brief, it was an interesting mix between the mutant and non-mutant superhero worlds.
The characters of the X-Men often stay within their own bubble, so it was very interesting for Cyclops to date someone not affiliated with the team. Equally, it was cool for Colleen Wing to be involved in more than the adventures of the Daughters of the Dragon. A reunion between the two would allow for more connection between less-linked aspects of the Marvel Universe.
9/10 Storm And Yukio Should Get To Go Public
Storm is the badass, all-powerful weather goddess of the X-Men (and the current Empress of Mars). Yukio is the badass, incredibly cool ninja ally of Wolverine whose extended team-up with Storm led to the latter adopting her famous punk look. Though never explicitly connected, Yukio was first created as Storm’s girlfriend.
In the years since they were first together, the pair has remained some of Marvel’s coolest characters. Though not as close as they once were, Storm and Yukio remain close friends and allies. In a more open-minded world, it only makes sense to let this couple become fully explicit.
8/10 Hawkeye And The Wasp Have A Lot In Common
Hawkeye and the Wasp are some of the Avengers’ most stalwart, underrated members. While the amorous archer has long lusted after the Wasp, the two briefly dated before the events of Avengers: Disassembled. Hawkeye’s death meant the romance did not last, but it is one Marvel should return to.
Both heroes have been with the team since its beginnings and both have led the team numerous times. Each also has a rebellious streak that pairs well with their do-gooder instincts. Together, the two heroes would keep each other in check while also having plenty of banter.
7/10 Havok And Madelyne Pryor Are Toxic But Good Drama
The reunion of Havok and Madelyne Pryor would achieve absolutely nothing positive, at least for Marvel’s superhero community. However, it would be a lot of fun for readers. The two first found each other in the lead-up to Fall of the Mutants; their relationship would reach the height of its drama in Inferno.
Initially, Summers and Pryor were good for each other, providing stability and love where the other needed. However, as demons and Mister Sinister slowly corrupted Pryor, their relationship became less wholesome. Pryor’s transformation into the Goblin Queen saw Havok become the Goblin Prince. While this relationship has been revisited before, it’s always worth returning to.
6/10 Spider-Man And Mary Jane Watson Deserve Each Other
Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson are one of comics’ most iconic couples. It is a shame that they rarely stay together for too long. Dozens of events, ranging from mysterious mistakes to deals with devils have led to the demises of their various relationships.
However, creators and fans alike keep returning to this pairing for the simple reason that it works. Watson and Parker make each other happy, and fans like to see their heroes win. The next time these two reunite, it should be for good.
5/10 Scarlet Witch And The Vision Have Been Through It All
The Scarlet Witch and the Vision are another pair of characters who work well together, but are continually torn apart. Initially, the two were separated when the Vision’s memory was wiped, and the two characters have struggled to be together since. While there is pain in their past, there is also love.
Each a stranger in a strange world, the android and the former terrorist built a life exploring the world together. The two navigated love, marriage, children, family, and everything else that comes with having a partner. With Scarlet Witch’s recent rebirth, letting her spend time with Vision again would be an excellent way to have them continue to explore.
4/10 Longshot Could Reunite With Ricochet Rita
Longshot may primarily be partnered with Dazzler, but the characters always seem to be caught up more by circumstance than true love. Longshot’s first love was a woman named Ricochet Rita. Unfortunately, Rita would be transformed by Mojo into the six-armed Spiral.
Having Longshot reunite with Rita/Spiral would be fascinating. The connection could allow for more pathos to be added to the supervillain’s character while giving Longshot something more to do than attempt to overthrow Mojo. Though it might end in tragedy, it would be a great story opportunity for these two characters to reunite.
3/10 Kate Pryde And Rachel Summers Deserve To Be A Power Couple
Kate (née Kitty) Pryde and Rachel Summers are another example of queer-coded X-Men who did not get to explore their relationship due to the restrictive nature of the Comics Code Authoruty. While together on Excalibur, the pair of mutant heroes lived, worked, and fought together, becoming incredibly close.
A modern revisiting of this relationship could explore what really went on in the walls of the Excalibur Lighthouse, as well as how these two have changed and grown since then. Each a fiercely independent, powerful X-Men leader, the two would make an awesome power couple.
2/10 Rictor And Shatterstar Should Break Boundaries Again
Rictor and Shatterstar are boundary-breakers. The two former New Mutants/X-Forcers shared the first-ever gay kiss in mainstream Marvel comics, providing a huge step forward for representation. Though the impact of their relationship is still present, the relationship itself sadly no longer is.
Rictor and Shatterstar deserve another shot. The two seem to be tentatively moving this way in recent adventures in Otherworld. Though the relationship is the definition of on-again, off-again, Rictor and Shatterstar balance each other out, with Rictor helping Shatterstar with his naïveté and Shatterstar helping Rictor with his cynicism.
1/10 Thor And She-Hulk Are Equally Strong
The Avengers are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The “mighty” aspect of this epithet can be partially traced to Thor and She-Hulk, two of the team’s strongest members. In Jason Aaron’s Avengers run, the two became romantically involved.
Both Thor and She-Hulk have lengthy romantic histories, but the two have always had to leave their partner because of life differences. However, the God of Thunder and the Jade Giantess lead remarkably similar lives. Because of their power, Thor and She-Hulk are perfectly suited to deal with the more difficult aspects of the other’s lives, making for a fun, stable relationship.
