The Romance Comic Book Genre
Ah, love is in the air! But who needs a cheesy romance novel when you can have a comic book that combines heartfelt emotions with stunning artwork? In the romance genre, you’ll find tales of star-crossed lovers, passionate encounters, and heartbreakingly beautiful stories. From the captivating relationship between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson to the timeless love story of Bella and Edward, romance comics will make you swoon and keep you coming back for more.
Top 25 Best-Selling Comic Series Titles Of The Romance Genre:
- “Young Romance” (Prize Comics/DC Comics): Credited as the first romance comic, created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon.
- “Young Love” (Prize Comics/DC Comics): Another classic from the golden age of romance comics.
- “Mills & Boon” adaptations (Harlequin): Adaptations of popular romance novels in graphic form.
- “Alex + Ada” (Image Comics): A modern romance with sci-fi elements by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn.
- “Strangers in Paradise” (Abstract Studio): A contemporary series about complex relationships by Terry Moore.
- “Blankets” (Top Shelf Productions): A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age romance by Craig Thompson.
- “Saga” (Image Comics): While primarily a sci-fi/fantasy series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, it heavily revolves around the romantic relationship of its two main characters.
- “Lovelorn” (American Comics Group): One of the many romance titles from the 1950s.
- “My Love” (Marvel Comics): A classic romance title that spanned the 60s and 70s.
- “Heart Throbs” (Quality Comics/DC Comics): Another popular title from the golden age of romance comics.
- “Sunstone” (Image Comics): A modern mature romance by Stjepan Šejić.
- “Twilight” Graphic Novel adaptations (Yen Press): Based on the popular novels by Stephenie Meyer.
- “The Nao of Brown” (SelfMadeHero): A contemporary romance with some surreal elements by Glyn Dillon.
- “Red Sonja” (Dynamite Entertainment): While primarily an action/adventure series, it often delves into the romantic relationships of its titular character.
- “Sweet Tooth” (Vertigo/DC Comics): Primarily a post-apocalyptic tale by Jeff Lemire, it has central romance elements.
- “Blue is the Warmest Color” (Arsenal Pulp Press): A coming-of-age romance by Julie Maroh.
- “Scott Pilgrim” series (Oni Press): A blend of romance, comedy, and action by Bryan Lee O’Malley.
- “True Love” (Eclipse Comics): A modern take on the romance genre, delving into real-life relationships.
- “Love and Rockets” (Fantagraphics Books): A critically acclaimed series by the Hernandez brothers, which often explores romantic and sexual relationships.
- “Hopeless Savages” (Oni Press): A series by Jen Van Meter that mixes romance with punk rock culture.
- “Jane Eyre” Graphic Novel adaptation: Various adaptations of the classic romance novel by Charlotte Brontë exist in graphic form.
- “Pride and Prejudice” Graphic Novel adaptation: Various adaptations of Jane Austen’s seminal work have been produced.
- “Wet Moon” (Oni Press): A gothic romance series by Sophie Campbell.
- “Love Stories (to Die For)” (Image Comics): One-shot stories that mix romance with other genres.
- “It’s a Good Life, If You Don’t Weaken” (Drawn and Quarterly): A graphic novel with romantic elements by Seth.
Want to taste some other comic book genres? Check out our Choosing the right Comic Book Genre: Top 25 Best Titles of Each Genre To Get You Started page.