5 Characters Marvel Copied From DC That You Might Not Know About

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As a passionate comics enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the fascinating connections between characters from DC and Marvel, and it’s clear that these resemblances aren’t just coincidental. Over the years, both universes have been heavily influenced by each other, borrowing ideas and concepts to enrich their respective storylines.

For instance, Marvel’s Quicksilver can be seen as a counterpart to DC’s speedster, The Flash. Similarly, Hawkeye and Green Arrow share a striking resemblance, with the latter being the pioneer of the superhero archer archetype. This copycat game isn’t one-sided, though. DC’s Aquaman bears a strong likeness to Marvel’s Namor, and Swamp Thing and Man-Thing also share many similarities.

In essence, the worlds of DC and Marvel have been engaging in a friendly yet competitive exchange of ideas, creating a rich tapestry of superhero lore that continues to captivate fans like me.

It’s not always apparent that some Marvel characters and teams borrow concepts from other publishers or even have shared creators. Nevertheless, the similarities exist in various ways, and despite their origins, these characters have forged their unique identities, providing ample material for fans of both Marvel and DC to enjoy.

1) Fantastic Four (Copied from the Challengers of the Unknown)

Regardless if you’re deeply engrossed in comics or casually flipping through them, it’s likely that you’ve encountered the famous Fantastic Four. This team is widely recognized as one of the most popular and potent in comics, yet many may not realize they bear a striking resemblance to Jack Kirby’s other band of explorers, the Challengers of the Unknown. Debuting in 1957 (four years prior to the Fantastic Four), the Challengers of the Unknown is composed of four adventurers who tackle supernatural or even extraterrestrial perils that threaten our world. This sounds quite similar to the Fantastic Four, doesn’t it?

Although the Challengers were initially introduced before Marvel’s First Family, their popularity has been significantly overshadowed over time, with the latter team receiving more attention and appearances. As a result, many fans are less familiar with the Challengers today. However, it’s worth noting that both Marvel and DC feature teams with intriguing and parallel characteristics.

2) The Nova Corps (Copied from the Green Lantern Corps

The intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps laid the foundation for what eventually evolved into Marvel’s Nova Corps. Whether it was Richard Rider or Sam Alexander assuming the role of Nova for Earth, their origin story – being selected to protect their designated sector of space – mirrors that of a Green Lantern. Over time, the Nova Corps as a whole has undergone significant changes, but in recent years, they’ve taken on a role similar to the Green Lantern Corps, functioning essentially as cosmic law enforcers.

Although the Challengers of the Unknown may have initially been as famous as the Fantastic Four, in this context it’s the original team that holds sway. As for the cosmic policing forces, the Green Lantern Corps tends to be more well-known than the Nova Corps.

3) The X-Men (Copied from the Doom Patrol)

Although the X-Men are well-known as another powerhouse in Marvel Comics, they share many similarities with the Doom Patrol. Both teams feature an unusual lineup, led by a controversial leader in a wheelchair. The Doom Patrol encountered the Brotherhood of Evil, while the X-Men fought against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, demonstrating striking similarities in their adversaries.

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Over time, the likenesses between the X-Men and the Doom Patrol have expanded quite a bit; one might contend that the Doom Patrol has grown increasingly bizarre (in an appealing fashion), while the X-Men have taken on a more grave demeanor. The X-Men are now universally recognized as the larger team among comic book enthusiasts, but don’t underestimate the Doom Patrol. They possess some truly captivating narratives as well.

4) Bucky Barnes (Copied from Robin)

Comparisons between Bucky and Robin date back to 1941, given that both characters were the child sidekicks of major superheroes – Captain America for Bucky and Batman for Robin. However, beyond being child sidekicks, the similarities between Bucky and Robin are limited. Originally, Bucky was lost in time but resurfaced years later as the complex anti-hero, the Winter Soldier.

Interestingly, despite being created around the same time as Dick Grayson’s Robin, Bucky shares more characteristics with Jason Todd’s version of Robin, particularly since both returned decades later after transitioning from villain to anti-hero.

5) The New Mutants (Copied from The New Teen Titans)

A new team of adolescent superheroes, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, The New Mutants are often compared to other teen groups by fans. Established three years after Marv Wolfman and George Perez revamped the Teen Titans, The New Mutants bore a striking resemblance in team composition. Featuring a girl with mystical abilities, an unusual robot, a shape-shifter who can transform into animals, and a main character known for his brooding demeanor, these similarities are difficult to ignore.

The Titans clearly stood out as the most formidable team, yet it’s the New Mutants who have become the fan favorite among the X-titles. It’s challenging to imagine the X-titles without these two teams, and credit for that goes to the Teen Titans. These teams complement each other exceptionally well and could potentially create another exciting crossover.

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The Titans proved to be by far the strongest team, but it’s the New Mutants who have become the sensational stars of the X-titles. It’s hard to envision the X-titles without either of these teams, and they owe this success to the Teen Titans. The two teams work incredibly together and would make a fantastic crossover team as well.

The Titans emerged as the undisputed powerhouse among the teams, but it’s the New Mutants who have captured the hearts of X-titles fans. It’s hard to imagine the X-titles without these two exceptional teams, and we owe their success to the Teen Titans. The two teams collaborate beautifully and would make a fantastic crossover team as well.

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2025-09-13 22:12