WONDER WOMAN: ALL OF HER LOVES INTERESTS IN THE COMICS, RANKED

Romance in comic books is often more complicated than in soap operas, including the comics starring Wonder Woman. This is partially due to comics' longevity and the writers' desire to create something new and fresh for their characters every few years. Superheroes with iconic love stories, such as Spider-Man with Mary Jane or Batman with Catwoman, can never last and always face dilemmas.

Wonder Woman, whose real name is Diana Prince, is not immune to this romantic conundrum amid her many reboots. She has had several relationships, often ending up with the same characters repeatedly, just in new ways. This Amazonian knows herself well, and she knows what she's into. She loves strong and capable individuals, such as Alethea and Tom Tresser. As a result, she has been with a few of her fellow Amazonian people, and the men she has been with after leaving Themyscira have pretty much all been capable, whether due to their time in the military or being superheroes themselves.

Updated on July 11, 2024, by Natasha Elder: Wonder Woman is one of the most prominent heroes in the DC Universe. One of the main heroes in the Justice League, and arguably the most famous female character, she is renowned for her strength and remarkable skill in combat. In addition to her heroics, however, she has had her fair share of love interests. From Batman to Bird-boy, Wonder Woman has had a wide array of love interests, both serious and not, throughout the years. We wanted to discuss her love interests more and provide more context on the previous entries.

Kate Kane is the Gotham City Protector Known as Batwoman

She's A Superhero Whom Wonder Woman Shares Chemistry With

A few years ago, it was confirmed that Wonder Woman was officially bisexual and had past relations with some of the Amazonian women she grew up with. However, since the announcement, no woman has been an actual on-page Wonder Woman love interest yet. It has been implied she was with Mala and Kasia, but those were in the past.

Batwoman is an openly lesbian character in the DC Universe. While she brutally beat Wonder Woman up in the Injustice universe, in the Batwoman comics, the two worked together to defeat a common foe. The capable Bat-Family member worked well with the Princess of Themyscira. It would be an interesting take for Wonder Woman to pursue something with Kate given their chemistry during this comic run. As there was no indication of either being interested in the other, this pairing is among Wonder Woman's least significant dynamics.

Wonder Woman Fell For Tim Trench

This is a Marked Departure from Wonder Woman's Other Unrequited Love Scenarios

Tim Trench is a middle-aged private eye. Embodying some of the stereotypes of such a character, Tim even has a gun that he nicknames “Lulu.” He ran into Wonder Woman and her mentor I Ching while fighting Doctor Cyber, a terrorist who killed another of Wonder Woman’s love interests – Steve Trevor. A competent detective, Tim Trench returned in another story in which he had joined the superhero team called Hero Hotline. He has a heroic streak under all the gumption.

Despite the somewhat recent loss of her longtime boyfriend, Diana Prince, who was Wonder Woman at this time, found that she was starting to fall for Tim. Whether this was because he saved her from a villain can only be assumed, though it would be no surprise to find that contributed to her feelings. However, there is no real indication that he returns her feelings in kind.

Mer-Boy May Have Changed His Name, But He Didn't Change His Care for Wonder Woman

Mer-Boy's Crush Was Fleeting, But No Less Real for Its Brevity

Mer-Boy, whose real name is Ronno, fell in love with Wonder Woman when both were teenagers. Despite the fact that his bottom half was a fish tail, meaning that he could only move around on land by hopping on his fin, he was enamored with the land-dwelling princess of Themyscira. To his disappointment, the two are eventually separated until they are both adults.

Now going by Mer-Man, with the real name Manno, Mer-Boy still cared for Wonder Woman. While there was less of a clear romantic interest at this point, it is still evident that the two remembered their connection in their youth, and that the warmth hadn’t left completely. So, while both had grown out of their teenage monikers of Mer-Boy and Wonder Girl, they hadn’t grown too old to love each other, if in a platonic way.

Bird-Boy Felt He Had to Contend For Wonder Woman's Love

He Had a Rivalry with Mer-Boy as a Result

With an on-the-nose real name of Wingo, Bird-boy was a teenager with wings and taloned claws instead of feet. He had a crush on Wonder Girl as a teenager and continued to have feelings for Wonder Woman when they were both adults (and he was going by Birdman). While the character of Birdman is now retired in-universe, his history with Wonder Woman is still impactful as far as Diana’s early comics history is concerned.

While he loved Wonder Girl, Bird-boy also felt that he had to fight for her love as he knew that Mer-boy had expressed feelings for her at the same time. As such, he felt hostility towards the other sea-loving hero. Often combining his profession of love for Wonder Girl with jabs at Mer-boy, Bird-boy felt a deep love for Diana Prince.

Io's Love for Diana was Unrequited

This Didn't Stop the Two From Caring About Each Other

Io is a fellow Themysciran, a talented weaponsmith, and the Chief Blacksmith of Themyscira. She is the blacksmith for Wonder Woman’s weapons in some iterations due to her great skill. She is also trained in archery, equestrianism, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, as all Amazons are. Io is strong enough that she managed to wound the god Ares when he forcefully reclaimed his daughter. Although she ultimately lost the battle, her survival speaks to her superior combat aptitude.

Although Io’s romantic love for Diana Prince was unrequited, Wonder Woman cared deeply for Io, too, not just as a weaponsmith, but as a friend. She is angered when Hunter Zolomon talks about punching Io two hundred times in one second when he invaded Themyscira, especially as his punches were known to be stronger than Superman’s. While the two care for each other, the fact that Wonder Woman doesn’t return Io’s love lands this interest in a moderate place in the former's romantic interests.

Orion Is A Powerful New God And the Son Of Darkseid

He is an Obnoxious Side Character Whom Wonder Woman Kissed

The son of Darkseid, Orion became a side character to Wonder Woman in the New 52 series where the new god constantly attempted to seduce and flirt with Diana. This made him the most unconventional of Wonder Woman's love interests. In Wonder Woman (Vol.4) #19 by Brian Azzarello, Goran Sudžuka, Tony Akins, and Dan Green, Diana has just about enough of Orion's innuendos and she kisses him to shut him up.

The plan backfires, however, as it only fuels Orion's comments, leading Diana to punch him in the face. This is as far as the relationship goes, but it's worth noting nonetheless, especially when considering that, in another universe, Diana ends up dating Darkseid. Since Wonder Woman punched Orion, the two characters have not interacted again, and theirs is far less than a torrid love affair.

Michael Bailey Had a Relationship with Diana Prince But Was Enemies with Wonder Woman

This Dichotomy Sets up an Interesting Dynamic

Michael Bailey, with the nickname “Mike” met Diana Prince while training to be astronauts at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Mike and Diana had developed a relationship while going through this program. Neither knew about each other’s alter-ego and because of this, they ended up on opposite sides of the law.

While Diana’s position as Wonder Woman is obvious, Mike entered the Royal Flush Gang as the Ten of Spades. As the name suggests, the Royal Flush Gang is a supervillain group that is themed around playing cards, with the members taking their names from the highest-ranking cards. It was to Wonder Woman’s shock that when she managed to defeat and unmask the Ten of Spades, it was her lover Michael Bailey instead of a nefarious stranger.

Darkseid's Respect for Wonder Woman Saved Both the Earth and Apokolips

They Fell In Love While Wonder Woman Acted as a Peace Ambassador

Darkseid and Wonder Woman are an unlikely pairing, given that his usual goal is to gain control over the Anti-Life and subsequently enslave the multi-verse. He's one of the Justice League's strongest foes and usually exerts an indomitable strength that is difficult for others to overcome. One of his defining characteristics is his unbending determination to carry out his will. In Justice League Infinity #4, though, Darkseid is not motivated by the same desire to conquer.

After arriving in an alternate universe, Wonder Woman realizes that this Darkseid is much more reasonable, and manages to convince him to cease fighting. In the aftermath, she serves as an ambassador of peace between the Earth and Apokolips. In the process, the two discuss philosophy and the meaning of life, eventually falling in love. While unexpected, their romance is surprisingly sweet.

Alethea Inspired Diana To Become Wonder Woman

She Was an Amazonian Stablewoman Who Tended Queen Hippollyta's Horses

In Jill Thompson's 2016 one-shot Wonder Woman: The True Amazon, Diana becomes obsessed with winning the heart of Alethea, an Amazonian stablewoman who pays no mind to the princess. Diana Prince is written as a spoiled brat who wants only the adoration of everyone in Themyscira. Her frustration that Alethea seemingly doesn’t care about her drives her to conduct increasingly dangerous feats to impress her.

While Diana is on the right path, her selfish actions ultimately lead to Alethea's death after she comes to Diana's rescue after an ill-advised stunt. This made the young Amazon perhaps the most pivotal of Wonder Woman's relationships as her lessons on selflessness influenced how she viewed heroism and what being an Amazon truly meant. This was the impetus for her mother Queen Hippolyta banishing her into the Man’s World to make up for her transgressions.

Mala Competed Against Diana For The Title of Wonder Woman

She Was Also Diana's Former Themysciran Lover

Mala is one of the Amazonian Wonder Woman's love interests, confirmed in the Earth-1 story of Wonder Woman. Mala and Diana cared for one another and were often on even ground in strength and combat abilities. When Mala appears again in the comics after Wonder Woman leaves with Steve Trevor, she seems rather annoyed with Diana for leaving with the random man. In addition, in Earth-1, she fought to bring Diana back home.

Mala wasn't as prominent in the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, with new characters such as Queen Hippolyta's consort Phillipus introduced. Nevertheless, Mala was brought back in William Messner-Loeb's Wonder Woman run. Although she hasn't remained a major part of the mythos since then, she was once a firm member of the Amazons alongside Diana. Despite her spotty representation, the significance of her role in Diana’s life has earned her a significant place among Wonder Woman’s best love interests.

Keith Griggs Was An Air Force Pilot Who Worked With Steve Trevor

He Was A Man Who Loved Diana, But Not Wonder Woman

Keith Griggs had a strange and complicated relationship with Diana compared to her first main love, Steve Trevor. Keith worked with Diana and Steve Trevor as an Air Force pilot. He and Diana formed a bond while some complications were occurring with Steve, but while Keith felt like he loved Diana, he didn't love Wonder Woman. Thus, he wasn't a true Wonder Woman partner.

It was a bit of a mess, and Diana eventually left Keith for Steve Trevor again. Keith hasn't been seen since. This is par for the course with Wonder Woman's pre-Crisis era, particularly her Silver Age and Bronze Age adventures. These are largely glossed over in the grand scheme of things, with even important Wonder Woman characters from this era barely showing up in modern comics.

Tom Tresser Was A Skilled Secret Agent Known As Nemesis

He Was A Man Who Could Have Settled Down With Wonder Woman

Tom Tresser, known as the vigilante Nemesis, lived a double life. After some sad romances in the past, Wonder Woman was finally ready to settle down and start a family, even proposing to Tom. Unfortunately, the "family life" didn't suit Tom's lifestyle, as he was often out fighting bad guys with his amazing combat and disguise skills, which he learned while working as a secret agent.

Before she proposes, Wonder Woman admits that she doesn't love him; she likes him and that he fits with Amazonian culture well. Despite this, Diana's mother requests that the two have children soon. Of course, Wonder Woman is soon enthralled in the controversial "Odyssey" storyline, which ended due to the New 52 reboot. Since then, Nemesis has never really interacted with Diana.

Trevor Barnes Was A Mortal Who Worked And Fought Alongside Wonder Woman

He Won Diana's Heart, Though They Decided To Stay Friends

Trevor Barnes and Diana Prince had a pretty sweet relationship. When she first met him, she immediately fell for the Human Rights Activist and became smitten by him. But he was a bit wary, as he thought she was too good for him and way out of his league. Once Trevor Barnes heard that she felt she had weaknesses, he agreed to go on a date with Wonder Woman.

The two end up in a complicated situation with his family and decide they are better off as friends. Shortly after, Trevor was killed after being host to a mad god, devastating Diana. Created by prominent Wonder Woman fan Phil Jimenez, his name was likely a homage to Steve Trevor, making this another character who falls short of being Wonder Woman’s first love.

Arthur Curry Cheated on His Wife to Be With Wonder Woman

This Ultimately Plunged Atlantis Into War Against the Amazons

In the Flashpoint DC continuity and story arc, Aquaman, also known as Arthur Curry, and Wonder Woman had an extremely rocky relationship that caused the entire world to drive into chaos. While married to Queen Mera, as he is often in the regular timeline, Aquaman cheats on the Queen of the Sea with the Amazonian Goddess, Wonder Woman. Mera confronted Wonder Woman about this affair, to which Wonder Woman lashed out and killed the Sea Queen. Aquaman then declared an all-out war against the Amazons, making it a battle between land and sea, leaving all of Earth to suffer from their messy affair.

This isn’t the only time that the two had the potential to be romantically linked, however. In Aquaman Annual #1, Arthur saw Diana fighting Triton and was stunned by her beauty and combat skills. While Diana didn’t return his admiration, it showed their entanglement was not a standalone instance of their potential romantic compatibility.

Kasia Was Reborn as an Amazon And Had A Deep Hatred for Man's World

She Was Diana's First Female Love Interest In The Comics

Kasia was one of Wonder Woman's main romantic partners before she left Paradise Island with Steve Trevor. Upon Steve's arrival, it seemed like Diana and Kasia were an item, as Kasia expressed that her heart would be broken if Wonder Woman did decide to leave with him. While Diana ultimately leaves, their deep connection has earned Kasia the fifth spot on this list.

Kasia is Diana's first main female love interest to be seen in the comics, and their relationship seems a lot more subtle compared to some of her other romances in the past. While Kasia appeared in the DC Rebirth era, she hasn't been seen much since then. Nonetheless, their conversations before Diana departs from Themyscira are meaningful. The heartbreaking nature of Diana leaving Kasia behind despite Kasia’s warnings adds to the tragedy of their romance, making this a difficult dynamic to forget.

Zala Jor-El and Wonder Woman's Love Lasted Through a War

Despite Their People Being at Odds, They Stayed True to Each Other

Princess Zala Jor-El is seemingly one of the primary antagonists in DC Comics’ Dark Knights of Steel. She is the daughter of King Jor-El and Queen Lara, sister of Prince Kal-El, and the half-sister of Bruce in this continuity. She learned about combat and the art of war on Amazon Island as part of her upbringing. She ended up meeting and eventually forming a relationship with Princess Diana while learning this.

While on Amazon Island, she learns King Jor-El was killed and returns home. Meanwhile, a White Martian takes on her appearance to turn the Kingdom of Storms against her, which Amazon Island is allied with. Diana warns her of this, but Zala reassures her that they will be on the same side no matter what. This steadfast loyalty, even above their responsibility to their respective kingdoms, makes this relationship stand out.

Batman and Wonder Woman Aren't Paired Up Too Often

But Their Romantic Relationship Has Been Teased On Screen and in the Comics

While the Justice League animated series makes it seem like Bruce and Diana have a huge thing, they aren't an item in the comics too often. If anything, this romance seems way more one-sided, with Bruce being the main one who harbors all the feelings. The romantic feelings between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince were mostly relegated to the DC Animated Universe, where Batman got the most attention of any hero, anyway. In comics, however, Batman and Wonder Woman have a strong relationship as platonic companions.

Over the years, Bruce and Diana have had a few intimate encounters. One of these resulted in her decking him in the face, but they never seemed to have a full relationship. Again, this is likely for the best, as it's highly likely that she would play second fiddle to the Dark Knight's Gotham City. On the other hand, they both understand the need to balance their responsibility as heroes with their secret identities, which would aid in being able to be heroes without also needing to come up with excuses for being absent.

Kal-El/Clark Kent Is A Powerful Kryptonian Known as Superman

He Is Her Equal In Both Strength & Romantic Potential

Aside from Wonder Woman's main love interest, Steve Trevor, Superman is the love interest that Wonder Woman is paired with most often. In the comics, Wonder Woman and Superman have had several relationships throughout DC history. They fall in love and are the two who can handle each other best, physically and mentally. The two balance each other, with Superman upholding the law and moral rightness, and Wonder Woman championing change for the better.

They understand each other, probably better than anyone else, as they live on this strange borderline between gods and humans, struggling to find their place. Superman and Wonder Woman have always had ups and downs but seemingly can't stay away from each other, which made him one of the most recurring love interests.

Steve Trevor Was A Pilot Who Accidentally Landed on Paradise Island

He Was Diana's Original & Ultimate Love Interest

Just like every superhero has a main love interest, Wonder Woman has an iconic partner. In her case, her boyfriend is Steve Trevor. Steve is repeatedly recognized as the love of Wonder Woman's life even though he comes in and out of her story by dying and being reborn or resurrected in some magical way, and so on. The writers recognize how important Steve is to the Wonder Woman story.

Steve was the first non-Amazonian Wonder Woman seen, and he represents so much to her. Where Wonder Woman is, Steve Trevor always seems to be not too far behind. In the George Pérez Wonder Woman comics, he was removed as the love interest and made older. Nevertheless, he returned as her primary paramour afterward, and, given that is the role he was intended for, it's for the best. The consistency of his return, and his considerable impact on Diana’s life, have made him the best of Wonder Woman’s love interests.

2024-04-03T05:01:22Z