similarities between Marvel/DC characters [Archive]

Cyclops

11-17-2006, 04:28 AM

It seems that there are many characters between both publishers that are eerily similar to each other, yet with some minor differences in most cases.

One that stands out to me is Hawkeye and Green Arrow. They have very similar attitudes when it comes to battle and are both sort of the team loudmouth and have trick arrows (Or Green Arrow used to).

Doom Patrol's Chief and Prof. X is another. They both formed groups of misfits with a greater intention behind them, are both crippled and in wheelchair yet brilliant.

Vision and Red Tornado pop into mind...both cape wearing androids with elemental power (Vision can become solid as diamond)...they also share no personlity.

Iron Man/Steel??

Can you think of anymore? I know they're out there, some good, some bad.

Biofungus

11-17-2006, 04:36 AM

I want to comment more on this later, but I just wanted to say:

I wouldn't consider the ability to change one's density comparable to elemental power.

I think the android thing is an easy way to explain odd powers, so I don't think I'd really compare androids.

But of course, Thanos and Darkseid (but that can be explained by one word: Kirby)

Superman and any twelve Marvel characters :whistlin: did I mention DC WAY overpowers their characters?

Doomsday was in essence, the Hulk.

Cyclops

11-17-2006, 04:43 AM

[QUOTE=Biofungus]I wouldn't consider the ability to change one's density comparable to elemental power. I think the android thing is an easy way to explain odd powers, so I don't think I'd really compare androids.QUOTE] although diamond is stone, but yea that's a bit reaching... :p But they are both androids right? Which character was published first?

Buckyrig

11-17-2006, 04:46 AM

Depends. Are they going with The Vision was the Human Torch, or not? I can't keep up.

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 09:32 AM

But of course, Thanos and Darkseid (but that can be explained by one word: Kirby)

Kirby didn't create Thanos; Starlin did. The character started out as a Darkseid knock-off, but later developed into something else.

There are a few very similar Marvel and DC characters that were developed independently of each other but appeared virtually at the same time.

Cyclops already mentioned the caped androids Red Tornado (August 1968) and Vision (October 1968), and, sort of, outcast superheroes Doom Patrol (June 1963) and X-Men (September 1963). But there's also Swamp Thing and Man-Thing, co-created separately by roommates Len Wein and Gerry Conway for competing companies.

There's also DC's Silver Age Atom (1961) and Marvel's Ant Man (1962), both of whom follow in the tiny footsteps of Quality's Doll Man (1939). Marvel's Sub-Mariner (1939) and DC's Aquaman (1941). Marvel's Quicksilver and DC's Flash are both speedsters. Marvel's Moon Knight began in the mid-'70s as a Batman clone.

There are others, but it's much too early. Need more coffee ...

HaphazardJoy

11-17-2006, 01:48 PM

How about Scarecrow and.....Scarecrow. Both companies have fear inducing baddies in scarecrow garb.

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 01:57 PM

There's also Marvel's Squadron Supreme, whose members were created as analogues of the Justice League of America:

Hyperion/Superman; Nighthawk/Batman; Power Princess/Wonder Woman; Whizzer (tee-hee)/The Flash; Doctor Spectrum/Green Lantern; Amphibian/Aquaman; Lady Lark/Black Canary; Blue Eagle/Hawkman; Golden Archer/Green Arrow; and so on.

DC's Avengers analogues, the terribly named Champions of Angor, didn't have the staying power of the Squadron Supreme:

Blue Jay/Yellowjacket; Jack B. Quick/Quicksilver; Silver Sorceress/Scarlet Witch; and Wandjina/Thor.

Scribbly

11-17-2006, 06:59 PM

Nitecrawlah2

11-17-2006, 09:27 PM

Wasn't there a dispute at one time regarding whether the X-Men/Doom Patrol were initially rip offs of the Doom Patrol/X-Men?

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 09:30 PM

I don't know that there was ever a dispute. They appeared within three months of each other, making their creation virtually simultaneous.

Cyclops

11-17-2006, 09:49 PM

I don't know that there was ever a dispute. They appeared within three months of each other, making their creation virtually simultaneous.You're right...Stan Lee created X-men, and I think it came out after Doom Patrol...so, if there was time he could have just had Prof X put in the wheelchair, makes a better dynamic...what other reason did he have to be in a wheelchair...did Lee have the forethought to have Magneto paralyze him, or did he get the idea off DP? I'm not accusing, but am curious...

Scott Story

11-17-2006, 09:49 PM

DC's tradition is slightly older than Timely (Marvel). Aquaman was a loose translation of Sub-Mariner, I believe, because Namor was created around 1939. Kirby tried to replicate his Captain America success with characters like the Guardian and Fightning American. Consider the similarities between Elongated Man and Plastic Man, who were originally from different companies, and later Mr. Fantastic.

Scott Story

11-17-2006, 09:52 PM

I think it's also important to note that sometimes these ideas were just "in the air," so to speak, not necessarily rip offs. Was Captain Marvel a rip off of Superman? Maybe, maybe not. Superman a rip off of Doc Savage? Doc Savage a rip off of, oh, I don't know, Apollo the greek god of the sun? Hard to say.

Biofungus

11-17-2006, 09:56 PM

Kirby didn't create Thanos; Starlin did. The character started out as a Darkseid knock-off, but later developed into something else.

I thought Kirby had a hand in Thanos' creation?

upon reading his entry in wikipedia, I stand corrected.

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 09:57 PM

You're right...Stan Lee created X-men, and I think it came out after Doom Patrol...so, if there was time he could have just had Prof X put in the wheelchair, makes a better dynamic...what other reason did he have to be in a wheelchair...did Lee have the forethought to have Magneto paralyze him, or did he get the idea off DP? I'm not accusing, but am curious...

I think it was just a matter of three writers -- Stan Lee (X-Men) and Bob Haney and Arnold Drake (Doom Patrol) -- having virtually the same idea at around the same time.

The Prof. X and The Chief/Niles Caulder characters both just use the contrast of a genius or superhuman brain in a "weak" body.

Cyclops

11-17-2006, 10:01 PM

I think it was just a matter of three writers -- Stan Lee (X-Men) and Bob Haney and Arnold Drake (Doom Patrol) -- having virtually the same idea at around the same time. The Prof. X and The Chief/Niles Caulder characters both just use the contrast of a genius or superhuman brain in a "weak" body.I can see that happening. As a creator myself sometimes I think I had a concept unique to the comic world, then a few months pass and I see a similar concept elsewhere. :cry: Ah, well that's life. :cool:

The-Spirit

11-17-2006, 10:04 PM

Whizzer (tee-hee)/The Flash.
Wasn't the Whizzer a Golden age character? How old is DC's Flash?

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 10:09 PM

They're two different Whizzers. (How often do you get to say that?)

But the original debuted in August 1941. The Golden Age Flash first appeared in January 1940.

The-Spirit

11-17-2006, 10:20 PM

OK so DC beat Marvel to the punch on everything.

kdmelrose

11-17-2006, 10:21 PM

Pretty much, yeah. Sub-Mariner was before Aquaman, though. So there's one ...

Scott Story

11-18-2006, 01:00 AM

I'd imagine DC had the most originals. To my knowledge, DC never made a human torch character, so that's original. Captain America I believe is the first patriot super soldier character.

Here's a question: In Marvel Comics no. 1, there was a red winged character from a race a bird men. Red Condor? I can't remember. Did he precede
Hawkman?

kdmelrose

11-18-2006, 10:07 AM

The Angel was in Marvel Comics #1, but he had a red cape, not red wings.

Marvel had Red Raven, with red wings, who debuted in August 1940. Roy Thomas used him in the '70s for the Liberty Legion.

Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, cover dated January 1940 (though it may have come out late in 1939).

The Scribe

11-18-2006, 01:42 PM

Pretty much, yeah. Sub-Mariner was before Aquaman, though. So there's one ...

I was going to say that. :man:

Aquaman still has his own book. :p

Didn't Sub-Mariner have more powers? List them if you can.

Aquaman needs more powers, he's the King of Atlantis.

He needs telekinesis, and a strength upgrade.

Also, DC either needs to change the title back to just Aquaman or Aquaman:King of Atlantis.

kdmelrose

11-18-2006, 02:20 PM

Also, DC either needs to change the title back to just Aquaman or Aquaman:King of Atlantis.

I believe the title is switching back to just Aquaman with Issue 50, when author Tad Williams takes over as writer.

The Scribe

11-18-2006, 02:30 PM

I believe the title is switching back to just Aquaman with Issue 50, when author Tad Williams takes over as writer.

I tried to email him.

His email isn't working.

I also emailed his publisher and never heard back from them. :man:

kdmelrose

11-18-2006, 02:33 PM

Why?

The Scribe

11-18-2006, 03:04 PM

Why?

Why do I want to email him?

I wanted to talk to him about Aquaman and tell him what I'd like to see. ;)

kdmelrose

11-18-2006, 03:23 PM

Heh.

I think Williams already has a direction (http://www.bigmonkeycomics.com/blog.html#101) in mind (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=89755).

The Scribe

11-18-2006, 03:30 PM

Doomsday was in essence, the Hulk.

I don't believe so.

Doomsday killed Superman, something the Hulk can only dream about. :laugh: :p

Doomsday didn't do a great job, because Superman came back. :har:

Also, Doomsday would smash the Hulk. ;)

The Scribe

11-18-2006, 03:31 PM

Heh.

I think Williams already has a direction (http://www.bigmonkeycomics.com/blog.html#101) in mind (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=89755).

Well, he does like feedback on his books.

I just wanted to tell him what I thought. ;)

*edit*

Looks like he will be going the silver age route. :carrot:

That's what I wanted. With a bit of a modern take.

He said something about flying fish. I hope he brings back the seahorses.

Biofungus

11-18-2006, 11:47 PM

I don't believe so.

Doomsday killed Superman, something the Hulk can only dream about. :laugh: :p

Doomsday didn't do a great job, because Superman came back. :har:

Also, Doomsday would smash the Hulk. ;)
bah. Fanboy.

Go ask Dan Jurgens about it sometime ;)

The Scribe

11-19-2006, 01:01 AM

bah. Fanboy.

Go ask Dan Jurgens about it sometime ;)

What does Jurgens know? :laugh: :p

max67marvel

05-09-2007, 05:53 PM

I think you forgot those...

Lizard/Man-Bat, Deadpool/Deathstroke, Black Cat/Catwoman, Kingpin/Lex Luthor.

kdmelrose

05-09-2007, 05:55 PM

:laugh:

A six-month-old thread, back from the dead!

max67marvel

05-09-2007, 05:56 PM

:laugh:

A six-month-old thread, back from the dead!

I didn't even notice :blink:

RandallFlagg

05-10-2007, 12:49 AM

Deadpool/Deathstroke
Would this really count? They look pretty similar, but they are used very differently, and personality wise, they are completely different.

max67marvel

05-10-2007, 04:48 PM

Would this really count? They look pretty similar, but they are used very differently, and personality wise, they are completely different.

Yeah well it's the same for every other characters that has been named, they all have very different personnality, they only look similar.

carriertone

05-11-2007, 02:08 AM

Captain America I believe is the first patriot super soldier character.

Actually, Archie's The Shield pre-dated Captain America by at least a year.The Shield first appeared in MLJ's Pep Comics #1, dated January, 1940. The character was created by writer Harry Shorten and artist Irv Novick. MLJ actually sued Timely, which is why they had to change Cap's shield to the still current round one in the second issue.

I always say, "There are no new concepts, just new treatments."

- Carl

raya

05-12-2007, 06:52 PM

Depends. Are they going with The Vision was the Human Torch, or not? I can't keep up.

They keep on changing the storyline. I don't know why, he was such a popular charactor (they did a poll on the Marvel site awhile back and the majority voted the Vision as the most popular). Of course, then they killed him off a few times, just like how they killed off one or two other popular characters. Still not sure why they do that. :huh:

I don't know if anyone brought this up yet but:

Spider-man's uncle was killed by a thief, and Batman'ts parents were killed as well (though he was a child at the time).

Though I'm curious, did Spider-man come before Batman?

Mike225

05-12-2007, 07:05 PM

Though I'm curious, did Spider-man come before Batman? :huh:

kdmelrose

05-12-2007, 07:24 PM

Batman = 1939
Spider-Man = 1962

L Jamal

05-12-2007, 07:28 PM

They keep on changing the storyline. I don't know why, he was such a popular charactor (they did a poll on the Marvel site awhile back and the majority voted the Vision as the most popular). Of course, then they killed him off a few times, just like how they killed off one or two other popular characters. Still not sure why they do that. :huh:

Keep changing the story? Up until West Coast Avengers, Vision was always thought to be the Human Torch and then it was revealed that he wasn't by Professor Horton (creator of the Human Torch). Torch is an android and Vison a synthezoid. Then the original human Torch came back. The Vision at that point was dismantled and came back white. Later he regained his original body from a alternate universe body. Then it was revealed in Avengers Forever that Vision is a time displaced version of the Human Torch that was altered by Kang and given to Vision or something like that.

Vision has NEVER been the most popular Marvel character. He wouldn't even be considered the most popular character in the Vision and Scarlet Witch mini series. Whatever poll you saw was either incorrect or misinterpreted.

Though I'm curious, did Spider-man come before Batman?

I'm even touching this one. any one that is a fan or an aspiring creator should know this answer without any thought.

kdmelrose

05-12-2007, 07:30 PM

He wouldn't even be considered the most popular character in the Vision and Scarlet Witch mini series.

:laugh:

Nitecrawlah2

05-12-2007, 07:53 PM

Keep changing the story? Up until West Coast Avengers, Vision was always thought to be the Human Torch and then it was revealed that he wasn't by Professor Horton (creator of the Human Torch). Torch is an android and Vison a synthezoid. Then the original human Torch came back. The Vision at that point was dismantled and came back white. Later he regained his original body from a alternate universe body. Then it was revealed in Avengers Forever that Vision is a time displaced version of the Human Torch that was altered by Kang and given to Vision or something like that.

Vision has NEVER been the most popular Marvel character. He wouldn't even be considered the most popular character in the Vision and Scarlet Witch mini series. Whatever poll you saw was either incorrect or misinterpreted.

I'm even touching this one. any one that is a fan or an aspiring creator should know this answer without any thought.
I thought the Vision had parts/components from the original Human Torch? I'm gonna have to re-read Avengers Forever and pick up on that whole Kang giving Vision to himself-deal.

raya

05-12-2007, 08:53 PM

The info I got about the Vision was from a poll Marvel had on it's site a few years ago. And a few times I have picked up the Avengers, I have seen the Vision blown up or dissolved. I also know they have killed off a popular X-men female character, Psylocke (see below). They also tried to kill off Wonder Man, and while I was not a fan of him, many fans were mad about that.

Last I know, the Vision got his brain pattern from Wonder man because of Ultron. I was saying they changed his story a lot. Originally it was just from the Torch, then they found out about Wonder Man. I have no idea what they have done in detail recently, but the Vision was one of my favorite characters when I used to buy comics all of the time.

I was wrong about Psylocke, everybody was telling me she was dead, which was weird because so many people said she was their favorite character (I don't buy X-men much anymore, need money for food and art supplies). I guess they decided to revive her:

http://www.marvel.com/universe/Psylocke

I just checked these descriptions, they are great and detailed. Anyone with any questions should check these out first. :cool: :cool:

raya

05-12-2007, 08:57 PM

I thought the Vision had parts/components from the original Human Torch? I'm gonna have to re-read Avengers Forever and pick up on that whole Kang giving Vision to himself-deal.

I think he did, but they killed him a few times, that was kind of my point. The Wonder Man story is also confusing. Unfortunately, my brother has all of the old comics, lol, not me. I would suggest checking out the descriptions on the Marvel site:

http://www.marvel.com/universe/Main_Page

Of course, I assume a lot has changed since the Scarlet Which went kind of nuts, I wasn't following it then.