Malt Shops, and Drive-Ins, and Bowling Alleys! Oh, My! Typical Settings for Romance!
We all know that romance can happen anywhere -- but in the romance comics, love generally blossomed at a few select places. The following panels illustrate perhaps the most popular settings for 1960s and '70s romance stories. As you go through this post you may ask yourself, why no romance scenes in the bedroom? Bedroom scenes in the romance comics were few and far between and typically, reserved for married characters. Another thing to remember -- prior to the in-home entertainment revolution (e.g., devices such as VHS and DVD players) most amusements happened outside of the home, thus accounting for the public nature of the romantic venues shown here.
The great outdoors is always a perfect spot for love when the weather is nice!
Park Benches
"Too Beautiful to Spoil" Falling in Love #63 (November 1963)
Beaches
"Don't Bet on Love!" Falling in Love #64 (January 1964) Pencils and Inks: Jay Scott Pike
Under Trees
"Cry Alone!" Heart Throbs #115 (August/September 1968) Pencils: Tony Abruzzo
A little vigorous exercise never hurt the heart, so say the characters of romance comics!
Tennis Courts
"The Most Bitter Lesson of Her Life!" Falling in Love #113 (February 1970s) Pencils: Lee Elias
Bowling Alley
"No Time for Love!" Girls' Romances #141 (June 1969) Pencils: Win Mortimer, Inks: Vince Colletta
Ski Slopes
"Swinging Singles Hotel" Heart Throbs #134 (October 1971)
Nothing like being afloat at sea with the one you love as the many boaters in the romance comics demonstrate!
Sailboats
"Easy to Kiss" Girls' Romances #145 (December 1969)
Canoes
"Tame a Wild Heart" Girls' Romances #151 (September 1970) Pencils: John Rosenberger
Miscellaneous entertainment is always available for those characters fortunate enough to live in the city!
The Zoo
"I'll Never Love Again!" Girls' Romances #146 (January 1970) Pencils: John Rosenberger
Malt Shops
"The Face in My Dreams!" Girls' Love Stories #94 (April 1963)
Nightclubs
"Substitute Sweetheart" Heart Throbs #129 (December 1970/January 1971 Pencils: Win Mortimer
Amusement Parks
"Ring of Gold!" Young Romance #159 (April/May 1969)
Museums and Art Galleries
"How Can I Love a Member of the Establishment?" Our Love Story #20 (December 1972) Pencils: Don Heck, Inks: John Verpoorten
It is no surprise that the popularity of cars in mid-century popular culture infiltrated the pages of romance comics as intimate spaces for young lovers.
The Drive-in
"The Lost Love" Young Love #123 (January 1977) Pencils: John Rosenberger, Inks: Vince Colletta
Lookout Points
"A Million Laughs in Every Kiss" Young Romance #167 (August/September 1970) Pencils and Inks: Tony DeZuniga
Many romance stories took place where characters spent a majority of their time -- the workplace.
Hospitals
"My First Love Was My Last Love!" Young Romance #161 (August/September 1969)
The Office
"Hide From Love!" Secret Hearts #139 (October 1969) Pencils: John Rosenberger
School
"Don't Bring Him Home" Young Love #117 (August/September 1975) Pencils: Creig Flessel
This list is by no means conclusive, but is a nice sampling of some of the most common settings for romance in the comics! Maybe you now even have an idea or two of where to take your next date!