5 Spider-Man Clones in the DC Universe

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Spider-Man’s enduring popularity is clear when you look at how often DC Comics has borrowed ideas from his stories. He’s arguably one of the most beloved heroes of all time, with countless classic adventures that have become successful cartoons, games, and movies. It’s common for Marvel and DC to draw inspiration from each other, but Spider-Man has uniquely influenced a large number of characters within the DC Universe.

DC Comics loves to playfully imitate Marvel characters – they’ve created heroes like Red Tool, a take on Deadpool, and consistently introduce characters similar to Spider-Man. These range from dark, dangerous vigilantes like Black Spider to friendly heroes like Blue Beetle. My personal favorite is Sideways, who offers a really original twist. Regardless of how long they lasted, DC has developed a number of interesting Spider-Man-inspired characters, and here are 5 worth checking out.

5. Bug

As a Spider-Man fan, I have to admit Bug is one of the most obscure Spider-People out there! He’s usually just seen hanging out with a team called the Retaliators – basically, the Avengers from another universe. It’s surprisingly hard to even find a good picture of him by himself – he’s the one in the yellow suit with the bug eyes and antennae. Honestly, we don’t know much about his powers or what makes him unique, but his existence just proves how important Spider-Man is to the whole Marvel universe. It’s cool to see even alternate versions popping up!

4. Black Spider

Black Spider is different from most Spider-Man-inspired characters because he’s more of an antihero. Eric Needham, a former drug addict, focuses on taking down drug dealers to atone for accidentally causing his father’s death. Unlike most Spider-People, he rarely uses web-shooters, preferring guns and other dangerous weapons. While he isn’t a traditional hero, Black Spider is a memorable and distinct character.

3. Rana Dorada

Rana Dorada is a brand new Spider-Man clone. He originally appeared as a hero on an alternate Earth (Earth-22), but it was later discovered he also exists on the main Earth. Unlike other Spider-People, Rana Dorada is inspired by frogs – his name actually means ‘golden frog’ in Spanish, referencing the bright yellow amphibian. Because of this, he’s known for his powerful leaps and kicks, though he can still stick to walls, just like Spider-Man – it seems spiders and frogs have a few things in common after all!

2. Blue Beetle

It’s fascinating that Spider-Man and the Ted Kord Blue Beetle share a common creator: Steve Ditko. Some might think comparing them is a bit of a reach, especially since the Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle feels more similar to Spider-Man to many fans. However, I see a stronger connection between Ted Kord and Peter Parker. Both are generally upbeat characters who independently designed a lot of their own bug-themed crime-fighting equipment. They really have more in common than people realize. It’s too bad Peter never considered building a flying spider-shaped vehicle, though!

1. Sideways

While many characters echo Spider-Man, DC Comics created something truly unique with Sideways. Derek James was intended as DC’s answer to Spider-Man during a new era of heroes, but instead of simply copying the idea, DC took it in a different direction. After an encounter with the Dark Multiverse, Sideways gained the power to create rifts, letting him travel between different universes. He shares Spider-Man’s playful personality and energy – and his costume is clearly inspired by Peter Parker’s – but Sideways quickly became much more than just a copycat.

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2026-02-24 19:11