15 DC Characters Stolen From Marvel Comics

POSTED BY , UPDATED ON April 17th, 2017

15 DC Characters Stolen From Marvel Comics

On a previously written article, it was revealed how Marvel Comics have a habit of blatantly using their rival DC as a source of inspiration for several of their iconic characters but it turns out that the game can be played both ways. The shoe is on the other foot so take a look at the 15 DC characters stolen from Marvel Comics:


15. Bumblebee (Wasp)

Bumblebee Wasp Marvel Comics

Image Source: marvel.com

Starting with the most painfully obvious one, Avengers’ founding member Janet van Dyne aka Wasp was created for Marvel Comics by the most powerful partnership in comic book history, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Fourteen years later, DC attempted to replicate the female superhero by coming up with Karen Beecher-Duncan aka Bumblebee. Apart from the race difference, both have a lot of things common such as similar costumes, ability to shrink in size, fly with wings and having an insect as their source of inspiration.


14. Aquaman (Namor)

marvel dc similar characters

Image Source: digitalspy.com

Appearing in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and getting his very own solo movie in 2018, Aquaman is one of the most unique DC superheroes ever due to his aquatic nature but it cannot be denied that he is not the first superhero to live under the seas.

Two years prior to Aquaman’s comic debut, Marvel had an aquatic superhero of their own called Namor the Sub-Mariner. Apart from both being capable of aquatic adaption and commanding sea creatures, the appearances of the two superheroes are mildly similar.


13. Black Lightning (Electro)

Black Lightning Electro

Image Source: dc.wikia.com

As seen from the aforementioned Wasp, DC will replicate a Marvel character and change their race while doing so. This is certainly true as DC saw potential in the Spider-Man supervillain Electro and made a superhero based on his powers.

Debuting 13 years after Electro, Black Lightning appeared in DC comics and as the name suggests, he had the same powers of Electro such as electricity generation and manipulation and had his race altered.


12. Bronze Tiger (Black Panther)

marvel dc comics crossover

Image Source: pinterest.com

DC has a long history of not covering up their tracks while committing a theft because when it comes to ripping off a Marvel character, the finished product is an obvious reminder of the original source and Bronze Tiger is no different.

Just like Marvel’s Black Panther, the first name of DC’s Bronze Tiger is a color and the second name is a feline animal. From feline-like suits to excellent hand-to-hand combat skills, the two comic book characters are remarkably alike.


11. Commander Steel (Captain America)

The story of the patriotic kid from Brooklyn named Steve Rogers brings tears to the eyes of every American comic book reader as no character has represented the country better than Captain America.

Due to its iconography, Captain America is not the best candidate to replicate because of his worldwide familiarization but that did not stop DC from creating a similar superhero. Just like Captain America, DC gave their character an army rank too and Commander Steel was made but it was not the only time DC blatantly ripped off the star spangled superhero.


10. Warblade (Wolverine)

Warblade Wolverine 1

Image Source: comicvine.gamespot.com

As a hybrid of DC and Wildstorm comics, Warblade has one mean reputation. With the ability to alter his molecular structure and converting his body parts to organic steel, the comic book character is bad to the bone.

However, no matter how awesomely lethal Warblade is, his powers are overshadowed by the claws that serve as his signature weapon. You’re not fooling anyone, DC! Warblade is inspired from Marvel’s Wolverine!


9. Silver Banshee (Banshee)

Silver Banshee Banshee DC character

Image Source: dc.wikia.com

Apparently DC is not smart enough when it comes to stealing characters. Twenty years after the debut of Marvel’s Banshee, DC created another superhero who had sonic abilities.

It is amazing that DC was too lazy to not even change their character’s name from the source of inspiration but shortened it to just Banshee. Oh, and they decided to change the sex too as usual.


8. Atomic Skull (Ghost Rider)

marvel dc similar characters

Image Source: s295.photobucket.com

Ghost Rider could have been the most feared Marvel anti-hero of all time but that is not the case at all. Thanks a lot, Nicolas Cage! Still, it cannot be denied that the character is iconic due to his flaming skull.

That is exactly what caught the eye of DC as they made a super-villain for Super-Man who was quite a threat but was visibly similar to Ghost Rider because of his … you guessed it! Flaming skull!