What makes a rare pair rare?

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

This time I'm going to be specific, and MCU & Marvel (comics). Keep in mind I was quickly made over as a slasher when I joined the internet's version of media fandom. At the time, that meant my 'ships and canon ships wouldn't even pass in the night.

Stony (aka Steve/Tony) is not a rare pair; it's canon in some multiverse realities, and fandom ran with it when MCU was unformed enough raiding comics canon was common. Stucky (Steve/Bucky) is not a rare pair because fandom ran with it. Pepperoni (Pepper/Tony) I wouldn't consider rarepair, it's MCU on and off and on again canon. Phlint (Phil Coulson/Clint Barton aka Shieldhusbands) is not a rare pair, slashers love that.

Is it a rare pair if it has Clint in it? Natasha/Clint, Bobbi/Clint, Penny/Clint, Spider-Woman/Clint (sorry, too many Jessicas) are all comics canon. Okay, arguably Winterhawk (Bucky/Clint) and Frosthawk (Loki/Clint) are rare pairs.

And yes, it does say something about fandom that I'm in the fourth paragraph before I ask if there are non-rarepairs for either Rhodey or Sam Wilson.

earlier related discussion

Comments

[diandrahollman]

I'm with fullupwithfire: canon pairs are not always necessarily popular in fan works. Most third point in a triangle characters added to come between the popular pair never gain popularity.

Does Loki/Doctor Strange count as a rare pair?

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

That feels like it should count as a rare pair; I admit to having some trouble with Loki shipping within the core Avengers just what with Clint as wronged party, but I'm not a certifying office or anything. Milage May Vary and all.

Your icon makes me wonder if Holmes is Dancing with the Stars...

[diandrahollman]

Ha! I admit I don't know much about the comics, so my understanding of Marvel is basically the MCU so my shipping is heavily influenced by the actors that play them. Hence the icon. I seem to be stuck on variations of this pairing. This is the icon version of the lovely cover art a fan artist made for one of my stories.