It occurred to me that many of the better superhero romances have an element of conflict that keep the characters from getting together or, if they are together, something that perpetually rocks the boat.
For years, there was the triangle between Superman, Lois, and Clark. Peter Parker's relationships were often strained or fell apart because he had trouble juggling his life as Spider-Man with his personal life. Batman's most famous love interests, Catwoman & Talia respectively, are morally dubious if not outright villainous characters.
So I wondered if maybe that was something missing from Wonder Woman...specifically Diana and Steve Trevor. What is the thing that keeps them, if not apart, from going smoothly? Aside from the obvious "her enemies will target him" thing that every hero has. Diana doesn't really do the juggling secret identities thing and aside from their both leading busy lives, nothing that really drives a wedge between them.
This got me thinking about their relationship in the movie.
As we know, Steve dies and his return is going to be a major element of the sequel. Regardless of the how and why, I believe one of the major stakes for the movie will be the question of whether Diana is able to keep Steve around. And I'm predicting the film will end on a bittersweet note of Diana prevailing, but Steve goes back to the afterlife, and there will be feels.
I think there's something compelling in the idea of Steve being the love of Diana's life, but for reasons beyond their control, their time together is always brief and fleeting.
Now here comes the question: can that concept be incorporated into the comics?
No, I'm not suggesting Steve needs to repeatedly die and come back. That might work for a two-to-three movie arc, but it would get ridiculous in an ongoing comic book.
But could there be a way for that idea--that as much as Diana and Steve love each other, they're forced apart by means beyond their control--to be worked into the comics? Maybe that could be Diana and Steve's "thing" like Superman's love-triangle or Batman's fondness for bad girls?
As said, there's something powerful in the idea of Diana simply being unable to be with the love of her life...not to mention that, as an immortal, Diana will outlive Steve. So, from her perspective, she needs to appreciate the time she does have with him while it lasts.
Also, this would open a door for Diana to have other relationships during the periods where Steve is MIA.
But I have no idea how they would accomplish this. Like I said, I'm not suggesting Steve needs to constantly die and come back or anything too outlandish like that. Maybe the gods could tamper with his memories and hide him somewhere for some reason or another? Maybe Circe or some other villains can put a curse on them? I'm just spit-balling.
Thoughts? Ideas?