As much as they're about spandex, capes and saving the world, comic books — as a medium — would never have survived in a world of 3D-Blu Ray-Internet-TV-iPhones if they only revolved around the next BAM! or KA-POW!

Superheroes are the mythology of the times, and behind every great mythological tale is a story of love. Or at least lust.

Comics are action, comics are adventure, but comics are also drama. A good comic is also a good soap opera, and every great soap opera (there are great soap operas, aren't there?) has its key players.

Valentine's Day may be just behind us, but love is year-round. And so, I present:

THE TOP 14 MAINSTREAM COMIC BOOK COUPLES

14. STORM AND BLACK PANTHER

Remember when Whoopi Goldberg and T-Pain got married because they were both black? Wait, doesn't that happen?

Maybe not. But the marriage between X-Man Storm and on-again, off-again Avenger Black Panther did happen, and let me tell you, it came as no shock at all when announced in 2006.

After all, their relationship had been mentioned in a back-up story told in the ’80s. And in February (coincidentally Black History Month) '06, a Storm mini-series detailing their childhood romance saw publication just in time for its final issue to coincide with their happy day in Black Panther #18.

Gimmick? I'll let you decide. But I will say this: while the marriage hasn't helped Storm's character in the BP series, written by and in BET President Reginald Hudlin's seemingly black-to-not-be-white style, it's done wonders for the character over in Uncanny X-Men and even Fantastic Four, of which she was a stand-in member. Her status has risen from X-Character to Marvel hero, and that's impressive.

And before anyone says it, the only problem I have with race is their race to the altar. With proper development, which takes time, their union could've been everything Marvel billed it to be. They're both amazing characters. But they're not quite the power couple Hudlin clearly thinks they are.

Yet. But their potential earns them a spot on the list.

This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2010.