It’s not uncommon for comic book characters to be aware they’re in a comic or to directly address the audience – a technique called ‘breaking the fourth wall.’ Deadpool is famous for this, and when the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Disney+ series used the same trick, some viewers mistakenly accused it of copying him. However, She-Hulk was actually breaking the fourth wall in comics long before Deadpool even appeared. Both characters, and others, have a history of speaking directly to readers.
Here is a look at the 10 best characters in comics who break the fourth wall.
10) Ambush Bug
Long before Deadpool, DC Comics had a similar character named Ambush Bug. He first appeared in 1982 as more of a nuisance than a true villain. His backstory is pretty strange: a man named Brum-El sent his clothes hurtling through space to save them from his exploding planet. These clothes were then infected by a giant, radioactive spider, becoming the Ambush Bug suit. A man named Irwin found the suit and became Ambush Bug, hoping to be a hero. Unfortunately, his comics never took off because other heroes didn’t take him seriously, and even working with his creators couldn’t make him a success.
9) Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime knows he’s a character in a comic book because he originally came from a world where DC heroes were just fictional characters. His parents, who were comic book fans, named him Clark Kent, but this led to him being bullied, which made him tough. When Superman created a portal to the DC Universe, Superboy-Prime gained superpowers and became the only hero in his world. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, he became one of DC’s most dangerous villains, and he even directly addressed readers, expressing his rage over the Crisis that ruined his life.
8) Loki
Loki wasn’t always known for directly addressing the audience, but that changed when he evolved from a mischievous trickster into the God of Stories. This new role gave him a unique perspective on the Marvel Universe, leading him to frequently speak directly to readers about what was happening. Interestingly, Loki was actually the first to reveal to Deadpool – in Deadpool #37 (1997) – that they were both characters in a comic book, and that a writer controlled their fates. He even demonstrated his awareness of being in a comic by moving between panels in the 2013 Young Avengers series to rescue himself and Wiccan from another dimension.
7) Mister Mxyzptlk
Mxyzptlk is a mischievous imp from another dimension—the fifth dimension, to be exact. While not truly evil, he’s a constant headache for DC Comics’ heroes, especially Superman. He’ll even create problems just to get Superman’s notice! The only way to stop him is to trick him into spelling his name backward. Remarkably, he was one of the very first comic book characters to directly acknowledge the reader, breaking the fourth wall as early as his debut in Superman #30 back in 1944. He’s also known for referencing other universes, like mentioning Marvel’s Infinity Stones. The concept is that the fifth dimension exists outside of all comic book worlds.
6) Jack of Fables
As a huge fan of the Fables comics, I was thrilled when Jack got his own spin-off! He’s such a fascinating character – basically, he’s a mashup of all the Jacks from fairy tales – Horner, Be Nimble, the Giant Killer, even Jack and the Beanstalk! The comic follows what happens after he’s kicked out of Fabletown, and it’s wild. Like all the Fables characters, he takes the classic story and flips it on its head. Jack is basically the ultimate trickster, and what’s really cool is he knows he’s a comic book character. He’ll even talk directly to us, the readers, and often deliberately mislead you about what’s coming up next – it’s brilliantly meta!
5) Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl has always been a uniquely quirky character. She frequently acknowledges the reader, breaking the fourth wall and offering witty commentary on the story itself – a rare trait in Marvel comics. Beyond her self-awareness, she’s known for consistently overcoming impossible odds, even defeating powerful villains like Galactus through unconventional means, such as the power of friendship. She’s often placed in absurd scenarios where she’s the only one who can succeed, and isn’t afraid to playfully poke fun at the people who create her stories.
4) Gwenpool
Gwenpool is similar to the DC character Superboy-Prime, but she’s much more lighthearted and doesn’t have a violent streak. Unlike most Marvel characters, Gwenpool comes from our world – the ‘real world’ – and is a huge fan of Marvel comics, so she already knows everything about the heroes and villains. Surprisingly, she first appeared in a Howard the Duck comic as a mercenary who didn’t think comic book characters deserved to live. Thankfully, Howard the Duck helped her realize that everyone has value, and she turned into a hero. Her biggest advantage is her knowledge of secret identities and weaknesses, all thanks to reading comics!
3) She-Hulk
Some viewers of the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series, who weren’t familiar with Marvel comics, thought the show copied Deadpool’s habit of breaking the fourth wall. However, that’s incorrect. She-Hulk actually broke the fourth wall before Deadpool, starting in The Sensational She-Hulk comic book in 1989, created by John Byrne. Byrne even acknowledged this early on, with She-Hulk jokingly threatening to damage readers’ X-Men comics unless they also read her series. The comic, which focused on a lawyer who is also a superhero, used this playful technique to add to the humor.
2) Animal Man
Animal Man isn’t the most well-known character to acknowledge he’s in a comic book, but his series is arguably the best exploration of that idea ever written. Grant Morrison’s run on the comic brilliantly showed the heartbreaking consequences of a hero realizing their life is just a story. Initially, the series followed Buddy Baker using his animal-based powers to fight crime. However, it took a unique turn when Buddy discovered he was a fictional character. The story reached its peak when his family tragically died, prompting him to break out of the comic panels and confront writer Grant Morrison, demanding answers. This bold and moving exploration of trauma through meta-fiction remains unmatched in comic book history.
1) Deadpool
As a huge Deadpool fan, I can confidently say he’s the king of breaking the fourth wall! While She-Hulk did it before him, and Loki first pointed out he was in a comic, Deadpool totally owns it. He’s always talking to us, the readers, and isn’t afraid to make fun of the people who make him, even while he’s fighting! It got really wild in Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe when he actually… well, you can guess. But it’s his habit of directly addressing the audience in the Marvel movies – those jokes and little reveals – that make his films so much fun and stand out from the rest of the MCU, in my opinion.
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2026-02-14 21:13