Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, so it’s time to take a look at the tender side of the DC Universe. Super-powered slugfests might be what made DC famous, but it’s love that gives our heroes something worth fighting for! In that spirit, we’ve pulled together twelve of the sweetest, most swoon-worthy covers in DC history for your amorous enjoyment. Check ’em all out below, Romeo.
Adventure Comics #390
Supergirl is the headline attraction of April 1970’s Adventure Comics #390, a special “All-Romance” issue. Longtime Superman artist Curt Swan’s cover (inked by the equally great Murphy Anderson) offers no less than three romantic partners for the Girl of Steel, including Comet the Super-Horse (whose secret origin is revealed in the book’s pages). The cover has what it takes to sweep you off your feet…as long as you ignore the ick factor of “Superman’s Romance with Supergirl’s Double!”
Aquaman #37
Aquaman and Mera embrace in the sunshine and surf on this variant cover by Darwyn Cooke for Aquaman #37. You can practically smell the salt air! Typical minimalistic magic from the late, great artist, who created a series of variant covers for DC’s December 2014 titles. You can check out all of them sans dressing in the essential Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Darwyn Cooke.
Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang. Kill Tour #1
Harley’s ongoing animated series—along with its tie-in comic—has deepened her relationship with Poison Ivy in ways we never thought possible. Case in point: Max Sarin’s cover for Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang. Kill Tour #1, in which the two ladies are positively devouring each other.
Adventures of Superman #525
There’s no more romantic couple in the DC Universe than Clark Kent and Lois Lane, who’ve given us relationship goals for decades. May 1995’s Adventures of Superman #525 depicts what might be their best cover kiss, courtesy of artist Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan Jr. It’s so great we’ll forgive Clark, for once, his ’90s mullet.
Batgirl #15
Look, sometimes love makes you crazy, a sentiment that gets magnificently visualized on this Dan Mora cover for September 2017’s Batgirl #15. Batgirl (in her iconic Burnside era) and Nightwing find time for love, even amidst the insanity of the Mad Hatter. Of course, Barbara Gordon hasn’t been the only woman in Dick Grayson’s life…
Starfire #8
Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran was Dick Grayson’s first longtime lady love, as shown in the pages of the classic New Teen Titans. Although Batgirl and Nightwing appear to be the endgame these days, Starfire still has a legion of fans out there. Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts’ cover for January 2016’s Starfire #8 is for all you DickKory shippers.
Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Special #1
Another great Amanda Conner/Paul Mounts cover is this one for September 2007’s Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Special #1, in which veteran paramours Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance finally tie the knot in a wedding that’s even wilder than their infamous courtship. Cheeky in more ways than one.
Swamp Thing #34
There are few mainstream comic stories out there as artfully erotic as Swamp Thing #34. In “Rite of Spring,” writer Alan Moore and artists Stephen Bissette and John Totleben prove that love really does know no boundaries, even that of species. Totleben’s beautifully painted cover perfectly captures the book’s vibe.
Batman #14
Most Batman/Catwoman covers depict the pair chasing each other across the Gotham City skyline. But Stephanie Hans’ cover art for January 2017’s Batman #14, which kicks off one of the most romantic BatCat stories ever written, gives fans a more intimate look at the most unpredictable couple in the DC Universe.
Justice League #12
Not to be outdone in the “intimate” department, the New 52 era Superman and Wonder Woman give the Bat and the Cat a run for their money with Jim Lee and Scott Williams’ cover for August 2012’s Justice League #12—in which Diana finds a spicy new use for her lasso.
Birds of Prey #11
We love our heroes, but let’s be real. When it comes to romantic misadventures, you can’t beat a bad boy. Secret Six antihero Catman enjoys a romantic moment—with just the right amount of danger—in the arms of a crossbow-wielding Huntress on the cover of April 2011’s Birds of Prey #11. One of the earliest DC pieces by popular cover artist Stanley “Artgerm” Lau.
Superman: Secret Origin #3
We’ll close out with another look at Lois and Clark, the DC couple that started it all… The word “iconic” gets misused a lot these days, but we’re pretty sure Gary Frank and Brad Anderson’s Christopher Reeve-inspired variant cover for November 2009’s Superman: Secret Origin #3 merits the moniker. Depicting the exact moment Lois falls (literally and figuratively) for the Man of Steel, it’s a cover so perfect that DC’s late lamented collectibles division DC Direct turned it into a now rare full-size statue.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Joseph McCabe writes about comics, film and superhero history for DC.com. Follow him on Instagram at @joe_mccabe_editor.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joseph McCabe and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
