Both DC and Marvel have memorable characters that comic book readers love, which range from Batman to Spider-Man. Many of these characters have taken their spot in the minds of fans who pick up their favorite books to follow the adventures of their beloved heroes. These figures star in the movies that comic book lovers see and were in the cartoons that many grew up with. Every reader can identify who their favorite DC or Marvel character is and can talk about their favorite comic arcs that they were featured in.
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While both DC and Marvel have large rosters of characters, a good number of those figures show obvious signs of borrowing aspects from each other. There were times when the publishers would take character features from each other, copying characteristics of their rivals’ popular figures. Sometimes, DC and Marvel would blatantly mimic each other, while also making parodies of popular characters to slight the other side. DC has been the culprit of taking ideas from their rival a large number of times, creating many characters that have counterparts in the Marvel universe.
5) Aquaman (Copied From Namor the Sub-Mariner)
Namor the Sub-Mariner was introduced by Marvel in 1939, and was from the underwater nation of Atlantis. In 1941, DC released Aquaman, a hero who also hailed from Atlantis. Both characters feature superhuman abilities and the power to communicate with the creatures of the sea. While Aquaman and Namor look very different aesthetically, they share a lot of similar traits that show DC took some inspiration from Marvel. It was an early instance of the publishers borrowing from each other, which would continue for decades to come.
4) Red Tool (Copied From Deadpool)
Wayne Wilkins, a.k.a. Red Tool, was introduced in Harley Quinn # 3, and was meant to be a parody of Marvel’s Deadpool. Red Tool’s costume was a palette swap of Deadpool’s, with the DC character also having a very violent nature. The DC figure used a number of tools as weapons and was not able to feel any pain after having a brain tumor removed. Red Tool was a self-consciously wild character who was also a fairly blatant Deadpool joke, earning a place in Harley Quinn’s roster of allies.
3) Bumblebee (Copied From Wasp)
The Wasp was one of the original Avengers who was introduced in 1963. She has had a place in Marvel’s comics since her inception, and was the inspiration for the DC character Bumblebee, who was released in 1976. Just like the Wasp, Bumblebee can alter her body size and generate electricity with her suit. Both the Wasp and Bumblebee had their places in major teams, as the Wasp was an Avenger and Bumblebee was a part of the Teen Titans. The influence of DC’s character is quite heavy, and shows that the publisher was not afraid of taking ideas when they needed.
2) Red Hood (Copied From The Winter Soldier)
Both DC and Marvel have their fair share of antiheroes, characters that will do anything it takes to take down the bad guys, even if it clashes with the heroes of both publications. Both DC and Marvel also have an antihero who was a sidekick to one of their major figures, died a tragic death, and was brought back to life only to have a very different perspective on life. For Marvel, this was the Winter Soldier, who debuted in 2004, while DC had the Red Hood, who made his first appearance in 2005. While the visual differences are evident, both characters share similar stories and a common understanding of how justice should be administered.
1) Swamp Thing (Copied From Man-Thing)
DC’s Swamp Thing and Marvel’s Man-Thing were released a month apart from each other in 1971. Both characters are very similar in appearance, name, powers, and origins. However, this can be attributed to the fact that Len Wein and Gerry Conway, the creators of Swamp Thing and Man-Thing, were roommates when they created the characters. It was a good example of creators taking inspiration from each other and making figures that are incredibly alike. The two characters have gone their separate ways since they were released decades ago, but the similarities between them are still blatantly obvious to readers.
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