Posted By Dan Greenfield on Feb 14, 2023 | 6 comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! Dig this advice from Clark, Lois, Peter, Gwen, Bruce, Selina, Ben, Alicia…

By PETER BOSCH

It’s that time. The time to tell the person you love “Happy Valentine’s Day.” And if you would like to show them your love in the best way possible, study up on what 13 comic-book couples can teach you.

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Rule #1: Don’t go by physical appearances, it’s what inside that you will love.

Superman #297 (Mar. 1976, DC). Elliot Maggin and Cary Bates, script. Curt Swan, pencils. Bob Oksner, inks. Bob Wiacek, backgrounds.

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Rule #2: Opposites attract, yes, but true love cannot exist without true respect.

Julie Newmar and Adam West in the Batman TV episode, “Catwoman Goes to College,” first aired February 22, 1967 on ABC.

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Rule #3: Secrets are not healthy for a relationship.

Green Lantern #26 (Jan. 1964, DC). Gil Kane, pencils. Murphy Anderson, inks, with some possible Joe Giella inking and/or alterations.

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Rule #4: Long-distance relationships are hard. Consider relocating to where they are and give up being “me first” in order to become “us forever.”

The Flash #203 (Feb. 1971, DC). Art and coloring by Neal Adams and Jack Adler.

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Rule #5: When you love someone, have faith in them.

The Amazing Spider-Man #66 (Nov. 1968, Marvel). Stan Lee, script. John Romita, pencils. Mike Esposito, inks.

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Rule #6: Communication is very important to a relationship. Tell each other how you feel.

Batman #153 (Feb. 1963). Sheldon Moldoff, pencils. Charles Paris, inks.

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Rule #7: Don’t let the one you love fight their battles alone.

Daredevil #75 (Oct. 1981, Marvel). Frank Miller, pencils. Klaus Janson, inks.

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Rule #8: Keep your love as young and fresh as the first day you met.

Splash page from the first “Archie” story, Pep Comics #22 (Dec. 1941, Archie). Victor Bloom, script. Bob Montana, art.

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Rule #9: Marriage is meant for people who love each other. Don’t let peer pressure make you do something you do not want to do.

Batman Family #11 (May-June 1977, DC). Jim Aparo, art.

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Rule #10: Love cannot be rushed. Be patient.

Fantastic Four #5 (Mar. 2019, Marvel). Variant cover art by Esad Ribić.

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Rule #11: A memorable wedding is something many brides have dreamed of for a long time, and the groom needs to support her in this.

Tales of the Teen Titans #50 (Feb. 1985, DC). Art by George Perez.

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Rule #12: “I do” is the beginning of love’s adventures together.

Marvels #2 (Feb. 1994, Marvel). Kurt Busiek, script, Alex Ross, art.

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Rule #13: Love exists beyond “until death do us part.”

52 #52 (May 2, 2007, DC). Artist and writer undetermined. Four writers, seven pencillers and five inkers worked on the issue.

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MORE

— 13 VALENTINE’S COVERS: Lois Lane’s Mad Love. Click here.

— 13 Vintage Superhero Valentines That Will Creep You Out. Click here.

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PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, has just been published by TwoMorrows. He has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. Peter lives in Hollywood.