After the kiss that’s currently selling comics in Justice League #12, between Superman and Wonder Woman, DC is taking a bit of pride that they have created such love in their new universe. However, most of us will all remember that for years it wasn’t Clark Kent and Diana of Themyscira, but Clark and Lois Lane. So when DC’s blog today put out a list of their Super Power Couples, many fans moaned and groaned about the love lost when DC rebooted its universe into the New 52. Feeling your pain, while DC gloats of what they called “those perfect little pairs who have stolen each other’s hearts…and ours” we’re here to remind you of the pairs they broke up last September.

First off, let’s look at their list of power couples:

Now lets evaluate these ‘Super Power Couples’

1. Superman & Wonder Woman - Sure these two have made a big splash in Justice League recently, but it’s been a few decades since last there was any real romance shown in comic pages between these two. In fact, since then we’ve already seen her try a hand at a relationship with Batman in the early 2000 era of JLA (notably ending in the incredible JLA #90 written by Joe Kelly). Nothing much need be said here, as any true Superman fan knows the relationship lies with someone who holds double L initials.

2. Aquaman & Mera - Perhaps the most powerful relationship actually on the list and carried over into DC’s New 52, Aquaman and Mera continue to stay together. Now that said, Geoff Johns certainly has had Aquaman pushing away at his lovely redheaded wife in recent issues of the new Aquaman series, but Mera does show a true love for her husband, Arthur.

3. Batman & Catwoman - A sexy, steamy, night of passion? Sure. But a couple? I don’t know if I’d label Bruce and Selena anything of the type. In fact, beyond Catwoman #1 there hasn’t been much interaction between the cat and the bat in the New 52. In fact, the last truly good period we saw between these two that could show any sign of a relationship was abruptly after Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s infamous Hush storyline of Batman, where Bruce revealed his identity to the costumed cat burglar. If one kinky night of clawing and moaning on a strangers apartment floor is what passes for a powerful relationship in the New 52, I’d hate to see what Frank Miller-esque, Sin City style situation they term a ‘one night stand’.

4. Apollo & Midnighter - See Below

5. Green Lantern & Star Sapphire - I can’t tell you the last time Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris were actually together, but it certainly hasn’t been in the past few decades. Since Hal Jordan was resurrected in Green Lantern: Rebirth, he’s associated a little with his former boss, but found his relationship needs in other women (particularly a pilot named Captain Jillian “Cowgirl” Pearlman; see below). But in the New 52 Hal has been doing something near trying to start things back up with Carol, who loves him dearly. Sadly, because of that nefarious Sinestro, nothing we could call a relationship has yet to form. Something tells me that with the Third Army rising in Green Lantern, it might be a while before Hal and Carol get another date.

6. Mr. Miracle & Big Barda - A great married couple who have been in some rather incredible comic moments. That said, when was the last time we saw them? I do believe we lost these characters in Final Crisis some 3 years ago and haven’t seen them since. I’ll give DC the possibility that the couple will return in the New 52, as we are seeing hints of the New Gods here and there. That said, they certainly haven’t shown up yet.

7. Hawkman & Hawkgirl - See Below

8. The Joker & Harley Quinn - A match made in Arkham, there are many fans out there who adore this twisted and psychotic coupling of clowns. Harley and Joker have made some awkwardly sweet and beautiful moments as a couple ever since the Batman animated series. However, as a couple they haven’t really been around each other much in the last few years, with the closest calls coming in Gotham Sirens, a book canceled, with stories that seem to be entirely ignored in the New 52. In fact, with the Joker running around faceless since the start of the New 52, and Harley teamed up with the Suicide Squad, these two jesters haven’t even interacted in the slightest since the New 52 began, and aren’t likely to be doing so in the near future thanks to the upcoming Death of the Family storyline.

9. Green Arrow & Black Canary - See Below

10. Larfreeze & His Power Battery - Perhaps the strongest “couple” on their list, this is a relationship DC has left untouched and thriving in the New 52. Pathetically, this was DC’s attempt at humor, by listing the relationship of an alien and his avarice towards a prized possession as a couple.

 

Now with all that said, DC’s list of Power Couples is looking pretty weak, with only 1 real strong coupling that remains in the New 52. But in the same, the company that’s trying to express its love for love right now did a brilliant job of breaking up couples last September. While DC’s blog is giving us a list of DC couples right now, here is a list of some of the notable couples it broke up last year to form the New 52:

1. Superman & Lois Lane - The power couple of DC comics that fans have been rooting for since they both first appeared in Action Comics 74 years ago. The two had an on again off again series of relationships for decades, with fans getting hints of relief through marriage found in alternate dimensions and future timelines. Finally, in 1996′s Superman: The Wedding Album, the pair officially got married. The happy couple were together for 15 years before DC’s New 52 ended the marriage and Clark and Lois’ relationship entirely. The generally given excuses for this act was to “keep Superman relevant” and de-age the character. While removing a marriage is one thing, it seems an entire other thing to remove his relationship or instantly throw him on the only other major female superhero in the universe not related to him. Many of us likely envisioned Superman and Wonder Woman together as children, but fans of the comics who know both characters are generally a bit more aware of this just coming off as fan fiction. Never-the-less, this was DC’s biggest break up in the New 52.

2. Flash & Iris West Allen - Barry Allen and Iris West have been together since they first appeared in Showcase #4, 58-year ago. Dating and eventually married with children (that later even spawned grand children that became major characters in the DC universe), Barry and Iris have been through a lot, with their tale helping shape the DC Universe. Barry’s return and ordeals in the Flashpoint mini-series/event are even what helped to create the New 52 universe. Yet despite all of this, DC had no problem ending the character’s marriage and relationship with Iris West Allen, leaving her just Iris West. Another couple broken up by DC; do not pass go, do not share a 60th anniversary with your lovely significant other. At least DC can claim Barry was responsible for this one.

3. Jay Garrick (Flash) & Joan Garrick - Speaking of marriages involving the Flash not lasting into the New 52, even the classic golden age Flash was broken up from his wife. Having a similar starting point, Joan Williams first appeared in the same issue as the golden age Flash, Jay Garrick, way back in 1940′s Flash Comics #1. From their first appearance, the two were a couple that would eventually end up married together. However, in the New 52, DC had a new take on the golden age characters, once more placing them on Earth-2. However, this time around, Earth-2 saw a modern day reboot of the characters that originally appeared during World War II. In one of the only respects to the great Flash couple’s original history, Jay and Joan made their first appearance in the New 52 together and as a couple. Their relationship, however, lasted less than one page, with Joan breaking up with Jay immediately upon their introduction to the New 52. With Wally West not even present yet in the New 52, it kinda sucks to be a Flash in the new DC universe.

4. Apollo & Midnighter - Apollo and Midnighter are perhaps two of the most memorable characters of the Wildstorm Universe, even though appeared much later on than characters like Grifter, Mr. Majestic, and the Gen13 kids. Both characters first appeared in Stormwatch vol. 2 #4, under the pen of Warren Ellis. Though Warren had hinted at the characters relationship for a short while, it wasn’t until 1999′s The Authority #8 that it was made official. Three years later, Mark Millar sealed the deal, marrying Apollo and Midnighter in comics first gay marriage in the pages of Authority vol.1 #29. While this hardly got the press that Marvel’s Astonishing X-men #51 or DC’s New 52 Alan Scott did, it was a pretty big deal and especially beloved by many gay/pro-gay comic fans. But when the New 52 came around, it seems Paul Cornell and DC weren’t content to have a gay couple already married in their new universe. I don’t at all believe this is because DC has any problem with gay characters or gay marriage…they just seem to hate marriage of any kind. In truth, their reasoning on this was rather sound, as Cornell expresses that it would be much more powerful to have the characters meet and fall in love in the new comics. The only problem there is, like much of the Wildstorm characters be integrated into the New 52 DC universe with completely new histories, it is a slap in the face to any fans of the old Wildstorm universe.

5. Alan Scott (Green Lantern) & Molly Mayne - Speaking of Alan Scott being gay in the New 52, it should be no surprise to anyone that he’s no longer in his heterosexual marriage with Molly Mayne. Mrs. Mayne was the original Harlequin at DC, first appearing in All-American Comics #89 as a golden age Green Lantern villain. Eventually she reformed and found herself in a relationship with the hero she once fought, leading to a marriage that lasted decades. Though not the mother of Alan’s children, Jade and Obsidian, she loved Alan and his children all the way though DC’s Brightest Day series that preludes Flashpoint and the New 52. Obviously, with Alan Scott rebooting as a younger gay character in the New 52′s Earth-2, Molly Mayne is no Mrs. Alan Scott anymore.

6. Obsidian & Damon Matthews - Another relationship torn apart by DC’s decision to make Alan Scott gay in the New 52 is that of Alan’s son, Obsidian. Obsidian, or Todd Rice, was the son of Alan Scott and Rose Canton (Thorn of Rose and Thorn). He first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 and was later revealed to be a gay character, leading to his relationship with Damon Matthews in the amazing comic series, Manhunter volume 4. Damon first appeared in Manhunter vol.4 #1 as a gay character, which was well loved by fans. The relationship between Todd and Damon came out in Manhunter #18, and lasted through Damon’s last appearance in DC comics around Manhunter #38. However, at no point was there any reason to believe the relationship ended, as Obsidian continued to appear in Justice Society of America. Unfortunately, due to Alan Scott’s new sexual preference in the New 52, it is unlikely we will ever see Obsidian again, let alone pick up on this cute relationship formed by comic scribe, Marc Andreyko.

7. Hawkman & Hawkgirl - Hawkman and Hawkgirl have always been an item, with their relationship defining the characters as they are cursed to live forever, always watching one another die once they’ve found each other. Blackest Night and Brightest Day hugely dealt with these two as the original Hawkgirl was finally reborn, bringing the two loving characters together again at last. Sadly, Hawkgirl is not on the main Earth of the New 52 and having instead appeared on Earth-2, keeping the couple apart by an entire dimension. Hard to stay married or even have a long distance relationship when you literally live in separate universes (furthermore, I’m told it is Kendra Saunders, not Shiera Hall, who returned as Hawkgirl in Earth-2).

8. Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) & Captain Jillian “Cowgirl” Pearlman - When Hal Jordan was reborn in the DC universe after Green Lantern: Rebirth, Geoff Johns had him rejoin the air force and fall in love with fellow pilot, Jillian “Cowgirl” Pearlman. Jillian made her first appearance in Green Lantern vol.4 #1, and quickly found herself dating the comic’s protagonist. Hal obviously still held some feelings for Carol Ferris, his former fling, and spent much of the 4th volume of Green Lantern away in space, but there was a relationship between these two pilots never-the-less. Therefore it is a pity, I must admit for any Cowgirl fans, that Geoff Johns claims the bold couple broke up between the pages of volume 4 and volume 5 of Green Lantern, otherwise known as the creation of the New 52. It’s likely we’ll never hear from Captain Pearlman again.

9. Green Arrow & Black Canary - Oliver Queen has had a thing for Dinah Lance for some time, dating back to the old Earth-1/Earth-2 crossovers in the Justice League of America volume 1. They dated, he cheated, they dated, he died, they dated, he cheated again. It was a very rocky relationship between the characters for quite some time, until the pair finally got married in an event DC tried heavily publicizing back in 2007. To this day DC likes noting that couple, as you can see from their list above and the fact that Miss Lance will be appearing in the upcoming Arrow TV series. Therefore it becomes quite the question as to why DC heavily rebooted Oliver Queen’s character in the New 52 and seemingly made them never a thing. Another marriage that never happened in the New 52, yet DC has the gall to call them a “Super Power Couple” (which is slightly made funnier by the fact that one of them doesn’t even have super powers).

10. Captain Comet & Starfire - Finally, perhaps one of the latest formed couples of the pre-New 52 DC universe, Starfire and Captain Comet. Adam Blake, or Captain Comet, fell in lust and love with Starfire when she fled Earth and joined up with the R.E.B.E.L.S. on New Rann. Passions quickly caused the two to become a couple just before the New 52 reset everything. Now Starfire finds herself shacking up with former Titans teammate, Arsenal, while Comet was revealed as the first Neo-Sapien in Action Comics #12. Though I will say this atleast, even though DC broke up this relationship, their interpretation of Starfire in the New 52 isn’t far from how she was for the last several years leading up to the New 52, including her sexual openness in R.E.B.E.L.S. and far before it.

So there you have it, the New 52 is just not a place for marriage or couples, even though DC was once rich with relationships. Why DC is trying to promote their Super Power Couples when they have to reach so heavily to make a list of 10, I couldn’t tell you. But it certainly makes me curious why they would do this when the New 52 is more known for breaking up relationships than forming them.