Beauology 101: Love Is In The Air… And It’s Wearing A Cape
True Beaumance!
by Beau Smith
Peter Parker + Mary Jane Watson + Gwen Stacy
Matt Murdock + Karen Page
Tony Stark + Pepper Potts
The Mighty Thor + Jane Foster
The Thing + Alicia Masters
Hal Jordan + Carol Ferris
Superman + Lois Lane
Marvel Girl/Jean Grey + Cyclops/Scott Summers + Warren Worthington/Angel
Wonder Woman + Steve Trevor
Batman + Selina Kyle/Catwoman
Dynamo + The Iron Maiden
Dr. Strange + Clea
Archie + Veronica + Betty
Mickey Mouse + Minnie Mouse
What do all these famous comic book names have in common?
Romance!
Peter Parker meets his match in this page from Spider-Man: Blue by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
As young readers, we may have never admitted it, but the soap opera aspect of superhero comics was just as much a draw to the books as the massive fist fights. In the guise of big brawny guys and athletic women knocking the snot out of equally brawny and athletic bad guys, we were mesmerized and enthralled by the love lives of these mostly costumed heroes and their magnificent deeds. We all had personal stakes in seeing if Peter Parker was gonna hook up with Mary Jane or Gwen. We all figured Superman and Lois Lane would end up together, but we still felt Lana Lang might win her long shot bid for Superman’s heart, and what a story that would make if it hit us by surprise.
Reed & Sue tie the knot
Romance and emotional suspense was the glamorous glue that held us all tight to our monthly comic book buying habit. Even Reed Richards and Sue Storm kept the institution of marriage from being seen as a boring vessel into old age. They wore eternal love like a proud badge. Even the mighty Sub-Mariner couldn’t break Sue’s bond with his Speedos, wings on the feet, slicked backed hair and arched eyebrows. Reed and Sue had something special and they let us all know.
Superman & Lois Lane
Where is that romance and love these days in superhero comics? Any coffee shop hanging, horn rim-wearing comic book writer can write the endless pages of floating, flying, mouth fully open with screams of battle, but why can’t they write romance with the spandex wearing wonders of comic books?
With cover prices at $4.00 and promises of 52 new titles, I want to make sure that money is not the only investment I’m going to be making with these characters, I want to be able to invest my emotions as well. To do that, the publishers are gonna have to give me more than a galactic fist fight and somebody turning into a zombie. In real life I fight, eat, sleep and love, I want my heroes in comics to have the same opportunity.
Catwoman & Batman
I’ll have to admit that DC Comics is at least trying to haul Batman back into the ring of love, some of it looks a bit kinky, but then again, Batman ain’t exactly Ned Flanders anyway. Take the risks and let the emotions and wine flow. I’m not talking about some weird form of superhero comic book porn, I’m talking about smartly written, well dialogued romance. Let’s thin the hacks from the herd and see who can write real romance between adults who find themselves attracted to each other in extraordinary situations with flamboyant costumes and strange super powers. Let the Indy comics write of nerdy outcasts looking for true love in coffee shops where the school jocks no longer shove them into lockers and the cheerleaders scoff at them. In the superhero world where everyone is beautiful and built, let’s see some witty exchange of words, emotions and mutual respect being traded like it’s supposed to. DC Comics, if you are serious, really serious about taking risks and taking your characters to a more exciting level, then step up to the plate, the bat is in your hand and the pitch is coming screaming right at you. Marvel Comics, if you want to match the emotions and quality that your films have been presenting, then study your lines, hit your marks and grab an emotional Oscar for yourselves, ‘cause it‘s lights, camera and action time!
I’m lookin’ for love in all the Four Color Places, are you?
Archie, Betty & Veronica
Your romatic beau,
Beau Smith
The Flying Fist Ranch
October 7th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Hurray for romance! I completely agree that the character relationships are what keep fans engaged over the long haul. Please let your fans know if any new comics rise to your challenge! I’m always looking to discover something new that’s worth investing my time and money in!
October 7th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
“Kinky”?
The lastest Bat/Cat hook-up is pervy to say the least.
October 7th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Well said, Beau. I miss having a little romance in between the punches, eye beams, and battles royale. Plus, writing them can be fun too.
Bobby
http://www.bobbynash.com
October 7th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
I’ve gotten a lot of emails on this stating that they also think the Batman thing is a bit over the edge and most are calling it a “cheap thrill” to get attention of like minded creators in comics and not the fans. Don’t know just what that means, but it’s come up more than once.
Beau
October 8th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
I completely agree, Beau. It’s relationships like these, and them being at risk (whether the death of a loved one, or even just a breakup), that helps us connect with some of these larger than life characters.
When I read comics, I really want my emotions to go through the wringer.
(And now I’m really jonesing for some more Young Heroes in Love….)