Star Wars comics have been an area of the titanic sci-fi franchise that lets artists and authors explore narratives that might not get the same sort of attention in other mediums. Romantically, there are all sorts of aspects that the comics can highlight which wouldn't gain as much traction in the movies, television series, or even novels.
From interspecies romances to the curious love shared between bitter enemies, strange partnerships can be found all over the galaxy far, far away. Sometimes they're bizarre because of the incredibly awkward way in which they're written, and sometimes it's because they seem just too far-fetched to be believed. Always strange but rarely boring, these romances do a lot to add to the incredible world-building of the Star Wars Universe.
Darth Vader & His Nurse
The Vader: Dark Visions series explores all sorts of what-if scenarios involving the Dark Lord of the Sith, including what would happen if a nurse serving on the first Death Star fell in love with him. In the third issue in the series, the nurse assists the doctor responsible for maintaining Vader's life support, and she gets some up close and personal time with Lord Vader during the early days of the Galactic Civil War.
The comic is full of all sorts of romantic interludes -including some steamy harlequin novel moments- as the nurse becomes more obsessed with her intimidating charge, and parts of Vader's personality are revealed in a way that's both eye-opening and horrifying.
Leia Organa & Prince Xizor
One of the most popular novels in Legends, Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry was adapted into a six-issue comic series (as well as a sequel, Shadows of the Empire: Evolution) which brought to colorful life the crime lord Prince Xizor and his seduction of Princess Leia.
Xizor, in his attempt to lure Luke Skywalker and kill him to gain the Emperor's favor, uses Leia as bait. Even though Leia is always practical, is aware of Xizor's species' ability to secrete powerful pheromones, and cares deeply for Han, she still struggles with her feelings for Xizor while trying to fulfill her important mission.
Luke Skywalker & Shira Brie
One of the most interesting characters to come out of Marvel's publication of the franchise in the '80s, Shira Brie from Star Wars #56 Coffin in the Clouds was one of the earliest attempts to find Luke a suitable girlfriend.
She began as a Rebel pilot, but was actually an Imperial agent who positioned herself in the line of fire of Luke's X-wing to make him think he shot her down in friendly fire. She was willing to risk injury in order to give him a guilt complex, but her feelings for him remain. Love is simply transformed into hatred, and years later they meet when she's become Lady Lumiya, a Sith lord training his nephew in the dark side, and have an emotionally charged duel.
Lando & L3-37
For those fans who couldn't get enough of a young, rakish Lando Calrissian at the helm of the Millennium Falcon, the Lando: Double or Nothing series of comics explored his adventurous years as a gambler and mercenary, along with his trusty co-pilot L3-37.
The comic built upon the bizarre romantic relationship that the pair shared in Solo: A Star Wars Story, which was much closer and more intimate than any other human droid pairing seen in the franchise. L3-37 may have acted tough and sarcastic, but she cared deeply for Lando and constantly worried whenever he would get into a reckless situation.
Lobot & Chanath Cha
The Star Wars canon is notable for diving into the details of even its most ancillary characters, so it's not surprising that fans get to learn a lot more about Lobot, Lando's cybernetically enhanced assistant than they ever thought possible in Star Wars: Lando.
The comic focuses on Lobot's love life in a subplot that's interwoven into the trajectory of Lando's greater story involving Chanath Cha, a bounty hunter who was once intimate with Lobot but is now concerned about his safety based on Lando's less than sterling reputation.
Kit Fisto & Aayla Secura
The Clone Wars was a time for undercover romance just as much as galactic carnage, and in the chaos of battle, Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala weren't the only ones finding ways to seek respite from the bloodshed; Jedi Master Kit Fisto and Jedi Knight Aayla Secura had quite a steamy connection themselves.
Not only were Jedi not supposed to form romantic attachments, but Kit Fisto and Twi'lek Aayla Secura had significantly different physiologies, making it difficult for them to be intimate. During a battle on the water planet Kamino, when Secura was forced underwater, Fisto locked lips with her to help her breathe, and the two began a secret relationship.
Luke Skywalker & Prithi
While getting his bearings as a new recruit for the Rebel Alliance in the Shadow of Yavin series, Luke falls for Prithi, a flirty Chalactan who also happens to be a Force-sensitive fellow X-Wing pilot. Everything seems to be going well for Luke and Prithi until their fraternizing actually gets them grounded from missions by none other than Leia Organa.
Their flirtations put their squadron in jeopardy more than once, and when it happens the last time it threatens to reveal crucial Alliance secrets. Not only does Leia get involved, but Alliance founder Mon Mothma too, which makes their discussion of Luke's sex life incredibly awkward. And what's more, Prithi is jealous of Luke's feelings for Leia, which is unsettling considering most fans already know the truth about them.
Cade Skywalker & Darth Talon
A smuggler, bounty hunter, and mercenary, Cade Skywalker wasn't the pinnacle of Skywalker integrity, but he was a far cry from being a homicidal Sith Lord. Though he had his vices, he was capable of maintaining his own vague moral code with a little help from Luke Skywalker, who often guided him as a Force ghost in the Star Wars: Legacies series.
After Darth Nihil killed his father, Kol Skywalker, Cade swore revenge, but as his quest for vengeance brought him into contact with many dark side devotees, he took a different stance; feign following the Sith Path to get closer to his target. There was just one aspect of his plan he didn't count on; Darth Talon, who went from being one of his fiercest combatants to being his Sith Master, to finally being his love interest.
Luke Skywalker & Mara Jade
Though they were technically introduced in Timothy Zahn's famous Thrawn Trilogy from Star Wars Legends, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade carried on their adventures in several comic series, which saw them fighting each other, fighting side by side, and eventually training Jedi as a husband and wife team.
Mara Jade was Emperor Palpatine's Right Hand, an elite assassin whose primary directive she kept even after he died; kill Luke Skywalker. After tracking him down and nearly killing him, they ended up being caught in a cave-in together, forced to team up in order to survive long enough to find a way out. Their animosity soon turned to passion, culminating in their much-anticipated wedding in Star Wars Union.
Doctor Aphra and Magna Tolvan
Doctor Aphra has been hailed as one of the most fascinating characters to ever emerge from the Star Wars comics, and her love life is as eccentric as she is. Doctor Aphra #14 focuses on her flirtatious interactions with Imperial officer Magna Tolvan, who isn't a typically brusque Imperial officer, but a self-conscious person who feels overwhelmed by their sense of inadequacy.
After Aphra bombs her base and takes her captive, the two share a surprising -if inorganic- flirtation, an odd turn of events for two people who previously wanted each other dead.