7 Great Romance Comics to Read This Valentine's Day
1/9Did you think that comic books were only for *whap!*s, *bam!*s, and bad guys? Think again. Back in the day, romance comics were a major part of the comic book industry. While many of the classics were questionable — think Teenage Brides and all those Roy Lichtenstein prints of crying girls — the desire for modern love has come back into the comics world! Here are some of our favorite romance comics, perfect for curling up and reading with a Valentine, or just a box of chocolates.
2/9Fresh Romance
rosypress.com
This brand-new comics publisher launched in 2015 to tons of critical acclaim and praise. The only publisher in comics dedicated to romance comics, each Fresh Romance issue is an anthology of original smoochy stories. Featuring some of comics’ best talent making diverse, LGBT-friendly romances, the best thing about their books being digital-only? You don’t have to get off the couch with your Valentine for the next issue; you can download them straight to your device!
3/9Blankets
Writer/Artist: Craig Thompson
A teenage romance memoir set in the cold, blustery midwest, Blankets is a Valentine’s Day tearjerker. This book perfectly captures the innocent longing of first love, and Thompson’s art style uses doodles and designs to replicate the wordless adoration you feel toward someone that’s special to you.
4/9Astonishing X-Men
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
No surprise that Joss Whedon would write a romance that makes you squeal, right? If you’ve never read an X-Men book before, this was my first, too. And with Kitty Pryde as one of the leads, her reconciliation with cute boyfriend Colossus is one of the best parts.
5/9Saga
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Artist: Fiona Staples
Like Romeo and Juliet set in a galaxy far, far away, Saga is a nearly-perfect book. Marko and Alana are lovers on opposite sides of a war. They meet when it’s her job to guard his cell. With their daughter Hazel as narrator, Saga starts off where many books would consider a “happy ending.” But because love stories continue on, and end, and start again, and end again…, Saga does, too.
6/9Secret Wars: Secret Love
Writer/Artist: Various
One of the best things to come out of Marvel this summer was this single issue, featuring a bunch of short romance stories. From Daredevil to Squirrel Girl, this book requires no previous knowledge of Secret Wars to enjoy, just a desire to see Thor’s abs.
7/9Harley Quinn: Valentine's Day Special
Writer/Artist: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Harley Quinn bids on Bruce Wayne at a charity date auction, and wins. But while Batman might be able to beat up bad guys, Bruce Wayne’s just a silly playboy who needs a tough girl to protect him. Bonus? Harley’s evening gown is the stuff of cosplay dreams.
8/9Scott Pilgrim
Writer/Artist: Bryan Lee O’Malley
The comic that inspired a one-of-a-kind cult movie, Scott Pilgrim is the perfect love story if you’re super secretive about your love of Valentine’s Day. If anyone asks what you’re reading? Tell them it’s a story about a boy fighting all of his evil exes. You don’t need to tell them about Scott and Ramona’s amazing love story. That can be our little secret.
