Superheroes and relationships don't typically end well, historically. More often than not, they are used as a starting point for vengeance. A character's signifcant other is killed or captured or maimed in some terrible way, thus giving our hero the motivation they need to dish out justice. But sometimes, superheroes find lasting love. Sure, awful things still happen to them, but at least they can take solace in knowing that they're not alone. That they're going through the pain together.

Batman and Catwoman

Big Barda and Mister Miracle

Ralph and Sue Dibny

Aquaman and Mera

Green Arrow and Black Canary

Wonder Woman and Nemesis

The DC Comics Universe has some of the most memorable couples in comic book history, including some of the most romantic, iconic (and also longest) courtships in all of fiction. Probably not the healthiest relationship in the DC Universe, but the cat-and-bat’s will they/won’t they, do they/don’t they is one of the most endearing relationships in comic books. Selina Kyle appeals to the inner bad boy of Bruce Wayne, the side of him that knows how easy it’d be to slip over to the other side of the criminal line, or at least shows him that it’s okay to cut loose once in a while. At the same time, Bruce appeals to Selina in the opposite way, inspiring her to choose another path which ultimately leads to her constant struggle of being a hero and being another Gotham City rogue. They make each other better and more interesting people.They see the best in each other even while parading around Gotham in masks, sometimes on opposite sides of the law. But it’s this dynamic that makes their blossoming love so fun to watch and one of the best relationships that DC has to offer. Catwoman is at once one of Batman’s greatest villains and greatest loves, and perhaps those two things are synergetic.It can be a scary thing when gods unite in holy matrimony, but for Big Barda and Mister Miracle, it was really for the betterment of the DC Universe. Each of them escaped the path that was laid before them – Barda from Granny Goodness’ Darkseid training camp and Mister Miracle from Darkseid himself – and instead found each other and fell in love.They’d superhero around together with the Justice League International which led to a brief hiccup in their relationship, but ultimately – like any couple should – the duo worked through their problems and came out stronger on the other side, proving that even New Gods can find true love.Ralph and Sue are essentially the Nick and Nora of the DC Universe. They suffer the most tragic fate of anyone on this list, but in its own macabre way it’s also the most bluntly romantic. Ralph was one of the first DC heroes to go public with his identity, during which the support of Sue was invaluable. The pair had a happy relationship for nearly their entire comic book existence… until the other shoe dropped and it all came crashing down.During the events of Identity Crisis, it was revealed that Sue had been raped by Dr. Light in an event that would begin a chain reaction that ultimately resulted in Sue’s tragic death. This caused Ralph to sink into extreme depression on the brink of suicide and become obsessed with death and resurrection. Eventually, Ralph would perish heroically defeating Felix Faust and Neron and his spirit would be reunited with Sue in the afterlife, where the duo became the Ghost Detectives and lived on investigating paranormal events across the DCU. A happy ending… kind of. The King and Queen of Atlantis have had their share of relationship troubles, but each and every time they bounce back stronger than before. With Mera being a royal outcast from Xebel and Arthur a man stuck between two worlds, one as King and one as Aquaman, the couple bonded over being outcasts to their people despite holding positions of great power within their society.In recent years, the couple has also struggled with the perception from humans of being the “lame” water-based heroes that are running with the big guns. Naturally, the Aqua-couple quickly showed the naysayers why they should be respected as both superheroes and royalty. The marriage of Aquaman and Mera is a shining example of a couple that works perfectly as a unit. Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen shared a classic case of “hate you/love you” when they first met as members of the Justice League of America. Understandably, Black Canary was a little put off by Oliver’s attitude and didn’t get along with him at first.The two eventually fell in love and grew incredibly close however, with Black Canary being a key figure in Speedy’s recovery from heroin addiction. The couple finally married in the late 2000s after putting small hiccups – you know, like Ollie’s death – behind them for good. Sadly, even marriage and death couldn’t prepare them for the ultimate nullifier… a continuity reboot. It remains to be seen if this couple will reunite in the world of the New 52.Probably not the Wonder Woman relationship one would expect to see on a list like this, but we think this sorely underappreciated romance from Gail Simone’s run on the character is one of the most enchanting. Diana’s courtship with of Tom Tresser didn’t turn out so great, unfortunately, when Tom decided that Diana was merely using him as a means to an end to have a family.Still, their time together was enormously fun to watch as Tom tried to adapt to the ways of the Amazons, even getting the rare seal of approval from Queen Hippolyta and getting inducted to the Amazons despite being a dude.