Although most people associate comic books with superheroes these days, romance titles formerly ruled the industry. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, creators of Captain America, established the romance comic book with Young Romance in the late 1940s, and it took off from there.
While the genre hasn’t recovered the popularity it had in the 1950s, there are still plenty of romance-themed comics for fans to enjoy across the decades of comics, from strips to volumes to webcomics. These are the most effective.
100%
Between 2002 and 2003, the now-defunct DC Comics division Vertigo published a six-issue limited series called 100 percent. Despite not being one of the best Vertigo comics series, 100 percent is an underappreciated gem worth checking out, even if the romance component is absent.
The manga-inspired sitcom follows a group of six people in the year 2038 as they navigate their sexual relationships. It may not be your first choice for Valentine’s Day, but it brilliantly captures the complexities of love and connection in a cyberpunk world.
Blankets
Craig Thompson, the creator of this wonderfully woven graphic novel biography, grew to forsake the faith in which he was raised. That change, on the other hand, is the result of his relationship with Raina and the difficulty he feels between his emotions and his beliefs.
Don’t expect a swoon-worthy love story between two young people in this one. Instead, expect a grounded story about the growth of a romance, and, more importantly, about how life frequently pulls individuals in unexpected places.
Blondie
Blondie, a newspaper comic strip that became a global hit by the mid-twentieth century, was established by Chic Young in 1930 and is still producing new pages today courtesy to Chic’s son, Dean, who took over when his father passed away in 1973.
Blondie, her husband Dagwood, and their family, friends, and coworkers are the subject of the strip. While the strip concentrates on everyday life, Blondie and Dagwood’s relationship is appealing and romantic in the manner that long-married couples are typically.
Fresh Romance
Fresh Romance is an anthology series that debuted in 2015 and provides a diversified portrayal of love and sexuality that will appeal to a wide range of readers. The series features several comic creators, which keeps the voice fresh, no pun intended.
Another advantage of the anthology format is that readers are not required to keep track of a release schedule or collect the complete series. Look through the available collections to see which ones appeal to you the most.
Heartstopper
However, Alice Osman’s Heartstopper graphic novel series, which was recently converted into a Netflix TV drama, is the best romantic comic book. The volumes take their time to develop the side characters into their own personalities, focusing mostly on Charlie and Nick’s budding romance.
The novels themselves are amazing and adorable, so it’s no surprise that they’ve become such a hit new series. These are excellent choices for fans of romance, comics, LGBTQ+ stories, or just amazing coming-of-age stories.
I (Heart) Marvel
Marvel Comics issued a series of linked one-shot comic books starring some of their most recognizable characters, including Spider-Man and Wolverine, to commemorate Valentine’s Day in 2006. They were event comics of a different kind, stylized with a heart symbol.
There are a lot of love interests for Spider-Man in the comics, so it’s no wonder that his is one of the greatest. Nonetheless, the novelty of seeing iconic Marvel characters experience or reflect on love is heartwarming across the board, and a welcome change from what is typically seen in comics.
Lore Olympus
Of all, webcomics are a separate medium in and of itself, allowing small authors to potentially reach millions of viewers without needing to publish traditionally at all, and that’s exactly how New Zealand artist Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus became a crowning hit.
The plot recounts the romance between the Greek gods Persephone and Hades, despite being situated in the current day. Most of the great Greek gods make an appearance in the comic, though their roles are frequently larger. It’s exciting, thrilling, and romantic all at the same time.
Saga
Saga is a huge epic about two parents seeking to escape a galaxy-wide conflict between their two species while raising their daughter, Hazel, in one of the best comic books of all time. The series has several topics, but one of the most prominent is romance.
Saga, like Fresh Romance, portrays a diverse cast in terms of sexuality and gender identity, which is fantastic. The central romance between Marko and Alana, on the other hand, not only propels the plot forward, but also keeps it real, relatable, and lovable.
Scott Pilgrim
The Scott Pilgrim comic book series, which inspired the renowned cult classic Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, is fairly faithfully adapted by the film, so anyone who has seen it knows what to expect from the graphic novels.
After falling in love with Ramona Flowers, Scott Pilgrim must eliminate her seven bad exes before dating her without interference. In essence, it’s a modern take on the knight’s trip, but its appealing quirkiness sets it apart from most other comics, though there are rare exceptions, such as Scott Pilgrim.
Sleepless
Sarah Vaughn, one of Fresh Romance’s writers, wrote the fantasy comic book series Sleepless after the latter series premiered, with Sleepless published by Image Comics from 2017 to 2019. It tells the story of a forbidden love between a princess and her guardian.
The novel is called Sleepless because the guard does not need to sleep because of a magical spell that allows him to remain attentive at all times. The artwork is stunning, and the plot is a certain hit for fans of the fantasy and romance genres.
