Superhero comics are a world where larger-than-life characters battle nefarious villains, save the day, and inspire readers with their acts of heroism. Yet, when it comes to their personal lives, there seems to be a consistent pattern of discord and heartbreak, particularly within the realm of marriage.
Marriages in the superhero world are often portrayed as doomed from the start, leaving fans to wonder why these iconic relationships seem fated to fail. While there are exceptions to this rule, such as Reed and Sue Richards (also known as Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman) and Superman and Lois Lane, the prevailing trend leans toward relationship turbulence. Dave's Comic Heroes Blog explores the phenomenon in an article titled "The Weddings of Superman and Lois Lane." The piece delves into the reasons behind these recurring breakups, citing the narrative convenience of drama and the preservation of continuity as contributing factors.
One prominent explanation is rooted in the history of the characters themselves. Some couples, like Reed and Sue, were established as a package deal from the beginning, their relationship serving as a cornerstone of their identities. The same holds true for Superman and Lois Lane, who have remained intertwined throughout their storied history. These couples have managed to endure the test of time, largely because their creators intended them to be together.
However, for other superheroes, their marital struggles are seemingly more about storytelling choices. The New 52 era of Superman, where he was separated from Lois Lane, exemplifies this narrative decision. Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Comics, explains in an interview the rationale behind this separation: "Marriage brings about a certain degree of comfort and security in one’s life. If you have a life partner, you always have someone to rely on. So from a story conflict point of view, it makes for a less dramatic story."
This sentiment echoes the undoing of Spider-Man's marriage in the "One More Day" storyline, one of the most controversial and polarizing Spider-Man stories from recent years which most fans hated. Basically Peter makes a deal with a devil-like character that erases Peter Parker's marriage to Mary Jane Watson. The belief was that a single Spider-Man led to more compelling narratives, a sentiment Marvel's editor-in-chief at the time, Joe Quesada, openly expressed in an interview with CBR: "In the world of comics and fantasy storytelling, there are never, ever guarantees. The thing with any comic universe or just comic storytelling in general, is that you always run the risk that something will be undone."
The pattern continues with Batman and Catwoman's failed wedding in Batman #50 (2016), which prompted Dan Didio, another co-publisher of DC Comics, to state that a married Batman would mark the end of Batman. Fans were pissed, but more so by the marketing of this wedding as this huge event that will change Batman forever, than anything else. It was a false promise. We said there would be a wedding and promoted it as such and marketed as such, but we would actually never do that. The logic behind this perspective is that marital bliss diminishes the character's capacity for ongoing drama and challenges, ultimately undermining the narrative dynamism that defines superhero stories.
Another infamous wedding that didn't happen was Batwoman with her girlfriend Maggie in Batwoman (2011) , according to The Hollywood Reporter Didio told the audience of a DC Comics panel at the convention that one idea is clear in his and his editors' minds when it comes to Batman-affiliated superheroes: They shouldn't be happy in their private lives.
"They put on a cape and cowl for a reason," he explained. "They're committed to defending others -- at the sacrifice of all their own personal instincts. That's something we reinforce. If you look at every one of the characters in the Batman family, their personal lives kind of suck."
A significant factor in this trend may be the perception that a married superhero is somehow less interesting. The expectation that superheroes must maintain a level of single, carefree allure for their audience might contribute to this phenomenon. Male superheroes, in particular, often find themselves adhering to this stereotype, where bachelorhood equates to greater excitement and freedom.
Regrettably, this perspective overlooks the potential for character growth and development within the context of marriage. The assumption that relationships necessarily dull the superhero's edge disregards the complexities and challenges that arise from blending extraordinary responsibilities with everyday life. Superheroes navigating the intricacies of married life could provide a rich source of storytelling material, where personal struggles intertwine with epic battles. Or maybe it would actually suck. But it feels like writers and editors don't care enough to even go through with it.
Ultimately, the recurring trope of failed superhero marriages reflects a certain hesitancy to embrace change and evolution within the comic book world. This is especially pertinent in the American superhero comic indsutry and its storytelling that needs to maintain the status quo to constantly sell comics. Its heroes can be maimed and killed and brought back to life constantly, but it all goes back to normal in the end. Like a Saturday cartoon. (I think this is specially why superhero stories that are self-contained like My Hero Academia, Invincible or even The Boys feel like a breath of fresh air because they can break and explore and reinvent the superhero norms and conventions in a way the big 2 can't.)
It's time to challenge the established hero conventions, this is not even about marriage anymore, but most tropes that don't allow us to infuse the superhero's journey with the hope that their sacrifices need not always lead to suffering. By dismantling this idea, we can embrace a more nuanced perspective—one that champions heroism not only as a path of struggle, but as a testament to the unbreakable bonds that make us human.
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