It's been almost two months since the theatrical release of Matt Reeves' The Batman and many fans are still enthralled with the onscreen chemistry between Batman and Catwoman, played by Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz. The electricity between Gotham's favorite couple continues to scintillate audiences worldwide because it explores how tension can shift between two characters as they go from rivals to lovers.
Comic books have explored this dynamic for decades and readers have continued to eat it up, whether it's in overwhelming support of the relationship like the previously mentioned Bat and Cat, or if it's something more controversial and off-putting like the significant age difference between Marvel's Magneto and Rogue. Unique bonds form as heroes and villains clash and become intimately familiar with each other's strengths and vulnerabilities, and sometimes that confrontation leads to a sweeping romance.
Catwoman
Selina Kyle is a latex-clad jewel thief who repeatedly clashes with Gotham's protector the Dark Knight. In 2002's Hush Batman takes the ultimate step to garner her trust and solidify their relationship. He clutches his cowl and says, "Like you, I have two lives. I want you to be part of both of them," and unmasks himself.
The flirtatious tension they'd maintained before is overtaken by Batman offering the most vulnerable thing a masked vigilante can, his secret identity. Catwoman embraces him and offers a longing gaze, signifying that Bruce Wayne is the ultimate jewel. Readers are left yearning for more as they speculate over the relationship's blossoming potential.
Elektra
Matt Murdock and Elektra Natachios originally met while they were students at Columbia University and shared a brief romance. She's later hired as an assassin by the Kingpin and Daredevil vows to bring her to justice, despite his feelings for her.
Daredevil is notably a champion of justice, but he forgoes his duty and kisses Elektra instead. This signifies that his former, and potentially future, romance with Elektra outweighs his commitment to vigilantism. Comic enthusiasts were captivated by Frank Miller's 1981 introduction of Elektra and her initial arc is still considered one of the most renowned in the entire Daredevil catalog.
Mystique
Mystique and Wolverine often clash as the X-Men and Brotherhood of Mutants combat over political ideology. Despite this ongoing war, the two originally met in the early 1920s when they took part in a romantic fling and bank heist together.
Audiences were surprised to discover that Mystique and Wolverine share an even deeper history than Charles Xavier and Magneto, spanning nearly a century at the time of Get Mystique's 2003 publication. Despite developing a deep hatred for her, Wolverine's trusting heart is repeatedly put on display for readers as he still routinely falls to his former accomplice's cunning.
Black Cat
As Black Cat robs New York of its finest and most secure treasures she develops feelings for Spider-Man. In the Spectacular Spider-Man #87, Spider-Man contemplates, "I love her. I really do. But she's so totally amoral -- and so in love with my costumed identity and not the real me..."
Spider-Man's insecurity is valid, as Black Cat's attraction and sense of companionship are directly drawn to the hero while costumed, emphasizing that she sees the mantle of Spider-Man as the real him, not Peter Parker. Black Cat is rendered to romanticize the two of them scaling New York rooftops clad in their costumes and readers are left to contemplate whether or not the heroes' masks are their true identities.
Emma Frost
Emma Frost's powerful telepathy enables her to explore a romantic and forbidden love with Cyclops. Cyclops is most notably devoted to his wife and longtime love Jean Grey. However, he responds to a distance he feels from his wife and falls into a psychic relationship with Emma Frost.
He attempts to justify the affair by rationalizing that it's not immoral since they're not physically touching. However, in this psychic retreat, Emma reassures Cyclops that she loves him for who he really is, which is more tangible than physical touch can offer. Many readers were expecting the pairing to be a brief exploit, but the two develop a healthy and sustainable relationship.
Talia Al Ghul
Talia is known as the Demon's Daughter and lives up to her title with her keen mind and deceptive strategy tactics. In 1987's Batman: Son of the Demon Batman weds Talia al Ghul as a means to ally himself with the al Ghul family, a plot laced with treachery brewed up by Talia's father.
Talia pours real affection into Bruce by symbolically stripping him of his mantle as she offers, "Forego your control, your discipline... Just once let yourself go...and take me with you." This leads to Talia having their son, despite her hiding his existence for the first 10 years of his life. The relationship illustrates how love can birth from a lie as their son takes up Robin's mantle and becomes his father's sidekick.
Magneto
Magneto is the prolific Master of Magnetism. His mutant ability leads to an unlikely and fleeting romance with Rogue. Magneto and Rogue's romantic relationship is briefly touched on in Uncanny X-Men #274, where the two share an exploit into the Savage Lands, though their companionship becomes more involved over the years.
Their continuous off/on relationship is due to the compatibilities of their mutant abilities. Magneto is immune to Rogue's absorption powers, while nearly every other potential partner is injured from her touch. This leads them to physically explore their relationship and eventually have a son. Controversy has since erupted over the pairing due to the couple's 30 to 40-year age gap.
Enchantress
As a picture of godly beauty, The Enchantress uses her magical powers and allure to attempt to seduce Thor. Her attempts end in failure, however, in Thor Volume 2 #50, he falls in love with and marries her. They go on to have a child, but as Thor is unsatisfied with his life, he travels into the past and tells his former self not to marry her.
In doing so the courses of their futures are altered and any chance at real, untainted love between the two is forever dispelled. Despite being one of his deadliest rivals, Enchantress's intent for Thor remains vivid to readers as she continues to attempt to seduce him through charms and directs malice towards his other love interests.
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy debuts in Batman #181 and admits she's attracted to Batman and makes a failed attempt to seduce him with love potions. However, in Batman Volume 3 #113, the mind of Batman is explored and a flash of images depicts his deepest attractions. Alongside Catwoman and Talia al-Ghul, Poison Ivy is seen cupping his chin as the two embrace in a kiss.
The fantasy exemplifies that Batman's attraction for her is more fervent than he's let on. Readers are left to speculate why Poison Ivy is sharing the same stage as the two greatest loves of Batman's life. The fact that Poison Ivy is seen in the reverie is not a lingering effect of any of her potions, but evidence that she means more to Batman than he's willing to admit.
Dr. Doom
Dr. Doom's cold stare is relentlessly set on world domination and the wife of Reed Richards. In Fantastic Four Volume 3 #27, Sue Richards and Dr. Doom wed. However, it was only Doom in body and the consciousness belonged to her loving husband, Reed.
The relationship was only a veneer union between the rivals, however, Doom's longstanding attraction to Sue is real. Due to Reed's consciousness inhabiting his mind, Doom is tragically unable to even grasp the memories of finally having Sue in his arms, which further propels his evil through bitterness.