Throughout the history of comics, there’s always been a war. Today the war rages on, mostly between DC and Marvel fans, but really, we’re all geeky nerds, so it’s all in good jest. Last time we explored the romantic side of DC, and today Marvel gets its spotlight time! 

You know what I love best about superheroes? How they all just date one another. Like, that’s totally cool to just date other superheroes and then move on to the next. I’m sorry, but if my ex-girlfriend was someone like the Black Widow, I’d be terrified to date anyone else ever, or you know, work with said ex still! Yet our superheroes keep it cool, mostly because they’re fictional and subject to author digressions. Speaking of Black Widow, how awesome is Natasha? Depending on the universe, she’s dated quite the list of people. I’m not sure how I feel about her and Cap, but I did adore her and Hawkeye. Let’s face it though, Natasha and Bucky were probably a good pair...they’re actually one of my all-time favorite comic couples, just because. I’m a little wary on the whole Natasha dating the Hulk thing, but, you know, it’s different?
 
Speaking of different, I have to complain. I’m probably one of those rare people out there that hates Spider-Man but absolutely loves Spider-Gwen. Now, hear me out. I actually really like Gwen Stacey as a character. For some reason, Peter Parker is totally tolerable to me when she’s in the picture. Which, yes, alright. I am not a fan of MJ. There, I said it. I don’t like her character at all, but it’s alright. Gwen is just awesome, and the Spider-Gwen comics are really just…a win in my book. However, while I may not be the biggest Spider-Man fan, I have to admit that Peter has gotten some pretty awesome chicks. Mostly, the Black Cat. Felicia may not be for everyone, but this is one of those comic couples that intrigued me enough to go 'huh, maybe this isn’t terrible.' It’s kind of like Batman and Cat Woman….with less gritty violence and betrayal?
 
Speaking of betrayal! Guys! I...literally just lost what I was about to type here. I promise it was going to be clever and funny, but now you’re stuck with me rambling for a moment while I try to figure out where I was going to transition this into. Oh! X-Men: Days of Future Past, the film adaptation took a lot of liberties with the storyline. While it was different and new, the story fell a little shorter than the comic or even the cartoon adaptation. But, since we’re on the subject, can we just talk about Wolverine and Storm? Why was that not a thing? Maybe it is, I didn’t keep up with the X-Men comics, because, look…there’s only so much time in the day! Either way, these two just need to be together. While it’s cute to watch Logan fawn over a very taken Jean, seeing him actually happy with Ororo is kind of better. Granted, I’m biased, but I enjoyed that story line. We also need to talk about Rogue and her tragic love life. Look, Rogue is a fun character, but the girl has the saddest, most isolating, set of powers ever. While she and Gambit will forever flirt and dance around one another, deep down, we all know that they’re also a perfect couple. Not to say Jean and Scott aren’t…I mean, they’re alright.
 
Marvel’s couples get probably more confusing and diverse for me than DC, for sure, but both universes are so expansive it’s hard to keep track. Especially with characters like Hawkeye, who I am pretty sure literally dated every female Avenger, ever. From Black Widow, to Scarlet Witch, to Spider-Woman, and even a failed marriage to Mockingbird, Clint’s extensive list of exes is more impressive than any other comic character. Except Magneto, who literally had how many kids with how many other mutants?! And he’s worked with them all too. I suppose this all stands as a lesson. If you become a superhero, careful who you date? Or more importantly, just date everyone, because why not? Comics have such in-depth characters and relationships that it’s no wonder we fall for them. Yes, they’re awesome and action filled, but comics can also make you feel things you didn’t know possible. And secretly, they sneak love stories into our plot lines without us even knowing it….and so, so, much more.

I’ve given up trying to figure out what will come next from Max Bemis’ Moon Knight run. I have no idea. He’s broken the part of my brain that used to speculate about the next adventure my favorite superhero would embark on. Opening his run with a whole issue where Moonie doesn’t show up: brilliant. Giving Bushman a tragic and relatable bit of character development and pairing him with a more dramatic villain: inspired. Having Jake and Marlene raise a daughter behind Marc’s back: fascinating. At every turn, Bemis has defied prediction and made Moon Knight dance in ways I never would have thought possible. So I’ve given up trying to predict the next step in the storyline and I’ve decided to just let Moon Knight happen to me.

​That being said part 4 of ‘Crazy Runs in the Family’ does not disappoint. After an epic battle of flame and fist, Moon Knight manages to escape the clutches of Bushman and the Sun King with his newly discovered daughter. Marlene, proving herself to be much more than mere damsel in distress by attacking Bushman with a knife, is unable to escape and abducted. As Khonshu explains the history of his ongoing battle with Ra to Marc, Jake, and Steven, the Truth is freed from prison and joins Sun King and Bushman in their plot to set yet another trap for the jet and silver avenger. The issue wraps up as Marc prepares to rescue Marlene and calls upon his oldest and closest friend Jean-Paul ‘Frenchie’ DuChamp to look after his daughter. But while the man who comes to Marc’s door is definitely Jean-Paul, the fact that he appears to be a zombie throws his fitness as a babysitter into question. Do you see why I’ve given up on trying to predict Bemis? The last issue ended with, ‘Surprise Moonie, you are the father!’ and this one dropped the mic with Undead Frenchie. Shut up and take my money Max Bemis.

The introduction of Diatrice (Moon Knight and Marlene’s Daughter) and the contrasting innocence she brings into the world of Moon Knight is truly refreshing. Moon Knight has never been a happy comic book hero, and the brief glimpses of kindness and tenderness within his story have been few and far between; his is a universe which was abandoned by innocence a long time ago. Enter Diatrice, a veritable moonbeam (please let that be her superhero name!) of innocence and curiosity who gives the audience a way of discovering a whole new side of Marc Spector. We see through Diatrice how complex and confusing Moon Knight is, how the madness we’ve normalized in our fandom would appear to someone outside of it, but she also brings a vulnerability and tenderness out of Marc.

Even as he butchers his explanation of his alter egos, we see him share his music with her in a very intimate and wholesome scene. The normalcy of this domestic scene is something that we’ve never seen in Moon Knight, and it’s something that I never knew I wanted for this character. Twisted and dysfunctional as Marc’s introduction to his own family is, what Bemis highlights in this issue is the potential for a real family connection for Marc in the arcs to come. This is a pretty huge shakeup in terms of motivation for this character, his relationship with Marlene, and how Moon Knight’s vigilante philosophy adapts (if at all) as a father.

Jacen Burrows is outstanding as always, playing with fire, Egyptian mythology, and even Cthulhu briefly in this issue (yes reader that’s right, I said Cthulhu). But in this issue Matt Lopes’ colors really stood out for me. The dramatic contrast he plays with within the pastel pallet he’s established is really striking. The heat that comes off of the panels where Moon Knight dodges the flames cast by Sun King and the cool blues that accompany the return of the Truth demonstrate the importance of an exceptional colorist when it comes to bringing comic book panels to life. Also, I cannot get enough of Diatrice’s splash of Pink hair. There is something so punk rock and at the same time innocent about her and it is only elevated by Lopes’ skillful color work. Until next time, Geek On!

​Sometimes obsessions come along, and they hit you in the face like a ton of bricks. My current obsessions are cats (shocker!), Fear the Walking Dead, Steven Universe, Sebastian Stan, and pretty much all of YouTube. Like, literally, that is my life. Perhaps my biggest obsession ever, an always, is love. But Shae, how are you going to make that Nerdy? Well, that's simple actually. Let’s talk about our favorite couples across nerdom, shall we? First, let's get a snack...because, I mean, who doesn't like snacks?

First, the ultimate couple, Superman and Lois Lane. It does not get more iconic or nerdy than that, really. And while the New 52 boldly tried to pair the Man of Steel with the Amazonian warrior herself, it didn't really work with a lot of us fans. Granted, I don't really read Superman since he isn't one of my favorites (sorry John!) but seeing him with anyone other than Lois is just weird, even if she is a ginger now. That's the point though, Lois and Clark have had such a long-standing romance spanning their many years in comics, shows, cartoons, movies, and now video games, it's hard to see them with anyone else. And yet, some people enjoyed the new change with Superman and Wonder Woman dating.  But it makes me wonder what is Lois doing now? Dating Jimmy? Being dead? Either way, I really can't see a world where Clark isn't with Lois.

Unlike Batman who is a total whore and sleeps with a lot of different women, depending on which story line. I always liked him with Selena Kyle. But, they're not my favorite Bat related relationship. If we're going by the comics I pathetically love, more than literally a lot of things (cake), I have to hand it off to Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson. Comically speaking the two have dated other people, and I really don't care if you say the original Robin belongs with Star Fire or someone else, because you are wrong. This Bat duo is my all-time favorite and really, shouldn't they be everyone's? In my world they are. But I also live under a comic rock and have hardly been keeping up on things, as life is busy, so I will choose to stay blissfully ignorant of any changes to that pairing what so ever. Speaking of changes, Poison Ivy and Harley? Dating? I'm not against it in the least, I'm just a little concerned our crazed psychiatrist left her beloved Joker. Ivy isn't as violently crazy, but she certainly has a few screws loose...so maybe they're perfect for each other.

This blog is strangely D.C. related...it's okay, Marvel will get their own blog! Because what love inspired, D.C. centered blog would his be if I didn't mention one of my favorite archers and his girlfriend. Green Arrow and Black Canary are probably right up there with Nightwing and Batgirl. Don't ask me why, because I have no idea, but these two stole my little Shae heart and ran away with it. They're utterly adorable. Yes, Olly has had his flings with the ladies, and while I loved Arrow and I adored Oliver and Felicity, the comics where Black Canary and the Green Arrow end up together are forever a top favorite of mine.

Of course this is all my little Shae opinion, of which are now law, because I have decided to run for supreme dictator of the world. And by run, I mean nominated, voted for, and elected myself. These are the types of things that get said in the strange hours of the night. But really, a second part will follow, because we know I can't just rant about one subject and be done.