The Romance Comic Renaissance is Coming

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In general perception, comic books are often associated with specific genres such as superheroes or horror. Yet, the realm of comic books encompasses a broad spectrum, and one genre that has been overlooked is romantic comics. These comics were highly popular from the 1950s to the 1970s but waned around that time. Only a few comics have dabbled with this theme since then, like Tom King’s “Love Everlasting,” which debuted in 2022 and felt like a refreshing change of pace as it reimagined romantic tropes in a unique way. Crucially, the success of “Love Everlasting” indicates that the time is ripe for romance comics to stage a revival.

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The Comics Code. Since the Comics Code has been abolished, this adds another argument for the resurgence of romance comics.

The Rise of Romance Comics

During World War II, the overall popularity of comics soared, with superhero comics seeing a significant surge in interest. Post-war, another genre gained momentum across the nation – romance. The pioneer in this field was “Young Romance”, conceived by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. These comics might not align with today’s expectations, as they were targeted towards younger audiences but not the very young, dealing with more mature themes. The debut issue is said to have sold an impressive 92% of its print run, prompting publishers to take notice. Initially viewed as a trial run, “Young Romance” eventually transformed into a regular monthly comic, along with a spin-off titled “Young Love”.

romance comics started exploring well-known topics with an unexpected twist; stories of marital harmony were suddenly disrupted by sorrow, crime, or some other imaginative reinterpretation conceived by the author. These tales proved irresistible to readers, prompting other publishers to swiftly join in, producing their own versions. After Timely/Marvel, My Romance was one of the second publishers to launch a series based on this concept. Similarly, Fox Features Syndicate followed suit, creating a line of comics with titles following a similar pattern: My Desire, My Secret, and so forth.

As a cinema enthusiast, I must say that many romance comics from this era were all about challenging societal norms, particularly around women’s roles in society. Often, these stories revolved around the dilemma of choosing between a successful career and the love of one’s life, reflecting the societal pressure to marry. Yet, some exceptional comics managed to break free from these conventions, offering fresh perspectives. For instance, they would feature their leading ladies embracing rock and roll, thus defying the norms and setting new trends in storytelling.

The Beginning of the (Sort of) End

Many avid comic readers are well acquainted with The Comics Code, an authority that significantly impacted various comic categories. Regrettably, romance comics suffered disproportionately. Although the genre persisted, it underwent a transformation and lost its original depth. In place of daring narratives tackling complex topics, stories became repetitive love tales, relying heavily on conventional and traditionally patriarchal relationship dynamics. It’s worth noting that while this didn’t completely destroy the genre, it was a substantial setback from which it hasn’t fully recovered.

In the years that followed, I observed an intriguing shift in storytelling among creators. This evolution was particularly associated with the surge of the equal rights movement, prompting a desire for a fresh take on romantic narratives within comic books. With the abolition of The Comics Code, authors once more dared to delve into complex relationships and character arcs, tackling themes such as social upheaval, women’s rights, interracial relationships, among others. If a story had been forbidden under the old code, it was likely that someone tried their hand at crafting one. Regrettably, by the late 1970s, romance comics had largely fallen out of favor and were seen as a relic of the past.

Where to Go From Here

It’s not entirely correct to claim that romance comics no longer exist; instead, they may not be as prominent in the mainstream market. However, it is undeniable that there will always be an audience for romantic tales. For instance, the popularity of contemporary series like “Heartstopper” and “Lore Olympus” demonstrates a strong desire among readers for graphic novel love stories. As pioneers in taking risks, publishers such as Oni and Image Comics are currently worth keeping an eye on.

Additionally, romance comics are experiencing growth beyond the traditional market, with webcomics like Tapas and Webtoons leading the way. A brief browse through these platforms is enough to bring a smile to any romance enthusiast, with titles such as “Positively Yours,” “Villains Are Destined to Die,” and “A Business Proposal” standing out as particularly captivating.

Today’s comic stories encompass a wide array of genres, much like they did in the past. You’ll find supernatural mystery (Ruined by Sarah Vaughn), character development and growth (The Girl By the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag), and epic space adventures (Saga by Brian K. Vaughn) all coming together. Additionally, Tom King’s Love Everlasting has been well-received. The popularity of this comic has led Sony Pictures Entertainment to adapt it into a movie, which is exciting news for romance comics. This development could be a sign that the genre is experiencing a resurgence, something many have eagerly anticipated.

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2025-04-09 07:10