It’s common in comic book history to see characters that feel very similar to each other. When one publisher creates a successful hero, others often follow with characters who have comparable abilities, designs, or backstories. Whether these copies appear soon after the original or years later, the connection is usually obvious.
This list highlights DC heroes who debuted after a comparable Marvel character was already established. For each hero, we’ll cover their creator, first appearance, and powers. We’ll also show you the earlier Marvel character that inspired them, and point out the key similarities between the two.
Aquaman
As a film fan, I always find it fascinating to look back at the origins of these iconic characters. Aquaman first appeared way back in 1941, in *More Fun Comics* #73, thanks to the creative minds of Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris. He’s essentially the king of Atlantis, and what’s really cool is he can communicate with and control sea creatures. Plus, he’s incredibly fast underwater and often fights with a trident. Initially, his stories were pretty straightforward – think rescuing people at sea and solving crimes underwater. But over time, things got more complex, exploring the politics of Atlantis and how they interact with the surface world.
Though Namor the Sub-Mariner debuted earlier in 1939, he shares many similarities with Aquaman. Like Aquaman, Namor is a strong, physically enhanced ruler from a technologically advanced underwater kingdom, and has a history of clashes with the surface world. Both characters act as a bridge between the ocean depths and the land above, starring in numerous adventures set in underwater realms and inspired by the lost city of Atlantis.
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing debuted in 1971 in the comic book *House of Secrets* #92, created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. He’s a creature born from a scientist who seemingly died in a swamp, and possesses powers like controlling plants, healing quickly, and a deep connection to the environment. Later comics expanded on this, establishing him as a powerful representation of all plant life on Earth – known as the Green – and linking his abilities to it.
Both Man-Thing, who first appeared in Savage Tales #1 earlier that year, and the previously established swamp creature share similar origins: they both started as scientists changed by the swamp itself. They’re incredibly durable, deeply connected to nature, and their stories lean into horror. Both characters undergo tragic transformations, becoming more monster than human as they protect their swampy homes.
Guardian
The Guardian first appeared in Star-Spangled Comics #7 in 1942, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Jim Harper is a police officer in Metropolis who fights crime wearing a blue and gold costume. He teams up with the Newsboy Legion to protect his community, using his excellent physical condition and a distinctive shield – he doesn’t have any superpowers.
Captain America, debuting in 1941, shares striking similarities with DC’s The Shield. Both heroes are human crimefighters known for using a round shield and a strategic, disciplined approach to combat. They also have a common history, originating with creators who contributed to both DC and Marvel comics during the Golden Age.
Cyborg
As a comic book fan, I first encountered Cyborg back in 1980, in *DC Comics Presents* #26. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, his origin story is truly compelling. Victor Stone, after a devastating accident, was rebuilt with incredible cybernetic enhancements by the brilliant minds at S.T.A.R. Labs. This didn’t just save his life, it transformed him into something more – granting him superhuman strength, integrated weaponry, and the ability to connect directly to any computer system. He quickly became a vital part of the Teen Titans, and later, a key player in the Justice League, often acting as the team’s go-to tech expert and information source.
Deathlok, a character first appearing in Marvel’s Astonishing Tales in 1974, is a soldier enhanced with cybernetic technology. Similar to other characters exploring this theme, Deathlok’s story focuses on what happens when humans and machines are combined, raising questions about identity and morality. These stories often involve secret government projects, risky experiments, and the human cost of becoming more machine than human.
Steel
John Henry Irons, also known as Steel, first appeared in the comic book *The Adventures of Superman* #500 in 1993. Created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove, he’s a gifted engineer who builds a powerful suit of armor. This suit gives him the ability to fly, enhances his strength, and includes a signature hammer. When Metropolis faces danger, Steel steps in to defend it, and his story often focuses on themes of responsibility, clever engineering, and protecting his community.
Iron Man first appeared in Marvel’s Tales of Suspense #39 in 1963. He’s a brilliant inventor who battles enemies while wearing a high-tech armored suit he created himself. Like many heroes, both Iron Man and his counterpart are engineers who rely on advanced armor to make up for not having natural superpowers. These suits allow for flight, can withstand significant damage, and have powerful energy sources, making them perfect for fighting threats in cities and around the world.
Red Hood
After being absent for a long time, Jason Todd returned to Gotham City as Red Hood in Batman issue 635 (2005). He fights crime using weapons, tactical equipment, and intense fighting skills, which often causes conflict with his old friends and allies. His return was shrouded in secrecy and involved a deliberate effort to hide his true identity until he was finally revealed.
As a huge Marvel fan, I always get a kick out of seeing characters come back, and the Winter Soldier’s story is a great example. He actually first appeared way back in 2005, in a Captain America comic, as a seemingly lost sidekick who’d been brought back to life and turned into a secret agent. It’s a really cool arc because both his story and that of other similar characters involve bringing someone back from the dead, giving them a mysterious masked identity, and revealing they’ve been involved in some shady, top-secret operations. It’s always a tough journey for them, dealing with mind control, trying to break free from it, and eventually figuring out who they can trust – if anyone!
Vixen
Vixen debuted in Action Comics #521 in 1981, created by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner. As Mari McCabe, she uses the Tantu Totem to gain the powers of animals, letting her copy the speed, strength, flight, and senses of creatures from across the animal kingdom. Her stories combine the glamorous world of fashion with exciting international adventures and teamwork with the Justice League.
Black Panther first appeared in Marvel comics in 1966, debuting in Fantastic Four #52. He’s a king whose strength and identity are linked to his nation’s history and a powerful object. Like other heroes with similar roots, Black Panther draws on African culture and uses abilities tied to animal symbolism. His stories often blend the challenges of city life with worldwide dangers, highlighting his quick thinking, strategic skills, and strong leadership.
Katana
Katana first appeared in a 1983 comic book, *The Brave and the Bold* #200, created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo. As Tatsu Yamashiro, she fights with the Soultaker, a powerful sword believed to hold the spirits of those it defeats. She’s a skilled martial artist with a strong moral code, and has been a member of teams like the Outsiders and the Birds of Prey. Stories about Katana often focus on themes of revenge, making amends, and upholding personal honor.
Elektra, a highly skilled assassin, first appeared in a Daredevil comic in 1981. Like Daredevil, she’s an expert in close combat, trained in East Asian martial arts and often involved in secret missions. Both characters share similar backgrounds, marked by personal tragedy, struggles against organized crime, and a path toward finding purpose through their work.
Black Lightning
Black Lightning first appeared in the comic book *Black Lightning* #1 in 1977, created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden. As Jefferson Pierce, he has the power to create and control electricity, which he uses for everything from long-distance attacks to super-speed and force fields. Beyond being a superhero, he’s a teacher and a leader in his community, fighting crime in areas often ignored by others.
Luke Cage first appeared in Marvel’s ‘Hero for Hire’ in 1972, established as a strong, community-based hero. Like other characters, he was created to lead his own comic series focused on the challenges and realities of city life. Both his series and others like it emphasize fighting crime at the local level and portray heroes as leaders who do more than just fight in costumes.
Lobo
Lobo debuted in Omega Men #3 in 1983, created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen. He’s a powerful bounty hunter who travels the galaxy, known for his incredible strength, ability to heal quickly, and a love of causing trouble. He often works alongside – and against – both cosmic superhero teams and supervillains.
Wolverine first appeared in Marvel comics in 1974, in issues of The Incredible Hulk, as a quick, tough fighter who heals rapidly and often operates as an antihero. He shares similarities with Deadpool, both being known for aggressive fighting styles, fast healing, and missions that often take them off-world or underground. Their popularity has led to appearances in team-ups and their own individual comic series, all centered around intense, realistic action.
Ragman
Ragman debuted in his own comic book, *Ragman* #1, back in 1976, created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert. Rory Regan is the hero who wears a special suit made of rags. This suit has mystical powers, allowing him to trap the souls of criminals and gain increased strength and speed. His adventures combine elements of old stories, the supernatural, and a personal fight for justice, all tied to his family’s history.
Moon Knight first appeared in Marvel comics back in 1975, in the pages of Werewolf by Night #32, as a crime fighter dealing with both supernatural and street-level offenses. Like Werewolf by Night, he’s a nocturnal protector, blending the mystical with gritty urban justice. Both characters’ stories explore villains with complicated motivations, cursed objects, and heroes whose past traumas and sense of responsibility define who they are.
Fire
Let me tell you about Fire, a fascinating character who first appeared way back in 1979 as ‘Green Fury’ in the *Super Friends* cartoon. She eventually became simply ‘Fire,’ thanks to the creative minds of E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon. What makes Fire unique is her ability to generate these incredible green flames – she uses them for everything from flying to launching powerful blasts, and even creating a protective fiery aura. She’s a regular with the Justice League International, and what’s really interesting is her backstory. It’s not just about superpowers; she’s got a history in espionage and even worked in media, which adds a really cool layer to the situations she finds herself in. It makes her missions so much more complex and engaging.
The Human Torch has been a Marvel character for many years, with the most well-known version first appearing in 1961’s Fantastic Four #1. Both the original and modern Human Torch can burst into flames, allowing them to fly and attack with fire. Their stories often focus on teamwork, public heroism, and the challenge of managing powerful energy in busy city environments.
Atom Smasher
Atom Smasher originally debuted as Nuklon in 1983. He was later renamed and reimagined by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway. This hero has the ability to grow in size and mass, which also increases his strength and resilience. He’s been a member of both Infinity Inc. and the Justice Society, and his storylines frequently explore the challenges of handling immense power and the responsibility that comes with it.
The character of Giant-Man, originally created for Hank Pym in 1963 within the pages of Tales to Astonish #49, shares similarities with other size-changing heroes. Both Giant-Man and these other heroes can lift heavy objects, control large areas during battles, and quickly switch between stealth and direct action. They also both have experience working as part of teams and have connections to science or mentoring within their communities.
B’wana Beast
B’wana Beast first appeared in Showcase #66 in 1967, created by Bob Haney and Mike Sekowsky. The character, Mike Maxwell, gains the ability to talk to animals, super strength, and a special power: he can combine two animals to create a completely new creature. His stories are set in jungles and often focus on protecting wildlife and stopping poaching.
Ka-Zar, a classic Marvel character, reappeared in comics in 1965 as a jungle hero. He teams up with a mighty big cat to defend a hidden, prehistoric land. Both Ka-Zar and his feline companion are deeply connected to the wild, and their stories often focus on surviving in harsh environments, protecting nature, and safeguarding threatened ecosystems.
Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)
First appearing in 1985’s *Crisis on Infinite Earths* #4, created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) is a brilliant scientist with the power to control light. She can bend light across the entire spectrum, creating solid objects, dazzling flashes, and powerful energy beams. Dr. Light has been a member of the Justice League and often lends her scientific knowledge to missions involving space and physics.
As a big Marvel fan, I’ve always been fascinated by characters who can manipulate energy, and Monica Rambeau is a prime example! She first appeared back in 1982 and can actually *become* different kinds of energy, including light itself. What’s really cool is how similar she is to other characters with light-based powers – they’re often brilliant scientists, key players on big superhero teams, and frequently involved in adventures that take them into space. Their stories consistently showcase strong leadership skills, a knack for solving complex problems, and really clever uses of their light abilities in the field.
Azrael
Azrael first appeared in the 1992 Batman comic, *Sword of Azrael*, created by Dennis O’Neil and Joe Quesada. Trained by a clandestine organization and physically and mentally conditioned, Jean-Paul Valley uses the fiery Sword of Sin and expert fighting skills. He briefly became Gotham’s main Batman before undertaking independent missions to expose and break up secret plots.
The Punisher first appeared in Marvel comics in 1974 as a skilled vigilante who uses deadly force, military-grade equipment, and stealth to fight organized crime. Like other characters, he represents a darker, more intense form of crime fighting, shaped by training from secretive groups and tools that blur the line between superheroes and soldiers. The stories featuring these characters often delve into questions of right and wrong, the effects of manipulation, and the fight to regain control of one’s own life.
Starfire
Starfire first appeared in a DC Comics special issue in 1980, created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. Originally known as Koriand’r, she’s a warrior princess from the planet Tamaran with the ability to fly and shoot energy blasts by absorbing sunlight. She’s best known as a member of the Teen Titans, and her adventures often explore themes of navigating alien cultures, political struggles, and forming alliances on Earth.
Carol Danvers, known as Captain Marvel, first appeared as an Air Force officer in 1968. She later became Ms. Marvel in the 1970s, gaining the ability to absorb and project energy, as well as fly. Both versions of the character are powerful, energy-based fliers whose stories connect to both military and cosmic adventures. They also share common themes of finding their identity, facing isolation, and learning to lead, often as part of a team.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Also, tell us which DC heroes remind you of Marvel characters who came before them.
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2025-10-09 05:48