It’s often said that every story has already been told, and that’s largely true, especially when it comes to fiction. People have been sharing stories for as long as we’ve been able to communicate, meaning most original ideas have likely been explored. This is particularly noticeable in the world of superheroes, where Marvel and DC have frequently borrowed from each other for decades. This happened partly because many talented writers worked for both companies, and if a concept proved successful, they’d often adapt it for a new audience. Back then, the comic book community was quite small, and writers were essentially targeting the same readership regardless of the publisher.
Occasionally, the similarities between ideas go beyond simple inspiration. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s amusing when one company creates a character that strongly resembles a competitor’s. Today, we’ll be looking at seven instances where DC Comics seemed to take cues from Marvel’s Avengers. It’s not something to be upset about, but it’s definitely something to chuckle at, imagining the creators trying to justify their choices and avoid legal trouble.
7) Bumblebee
Bumblebee first appeared in the comic book Teen Titans in 1966, but she didn’t get her signature costume until issue #48. This was thirteen years after the first appearance of Wasp, the character who inspired her. Both heroes have insect-themed names and use technology to shrink in size, fly, and fire energy blasts. Despite these similarities, Bumblebee and Wasp have very different personalities. Like many other characters, their common traits are mostly on the surface – each hero ultimately became popular through their own unique journey.
6) Guardian
Bumblebee’s husband is also a well-known hero, but it wasn’t the version most people are familiar with. The original Guardian, James Harper, first appeared in 1942, shortly after Captain America. Like Captain America, Guardian was a patriotic American who fought using a shield. He worked to better the impoverished areas of Metropolis and fought alongside the All-Star Squadron during World War II. Though not enhanced by a super-soldier serum, James Harper shared many similarities with Steve Rogers, as both characters were created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon.
As a huge comic book fan, I always noticed how similar DC’s Guardian and Marvel’s Captain America are! After the massive success of Cap, it seemed like DC wanted a hero with that same kind of appeal – maybe they even asked the creators to design something similar. Whatever the reason, both heroes ended up becoming more than just characters; they represent ideals and have become lasting symbols, almost like legacies passed down through generations. It’s clear those creators knew how to build a truly iconic figure!
5) Damage
DC’s New Age of Heroes was a large-scale effort that, unfortunately, didn’t succeed – it might be their biggest misstep since New Guardians. Following the Dark Knights: Metal event, DC introduced many new characters, largely in an attempt to replicate the popularity of Marvel’s heroes. One example was Damage, intended as their version of the Hulk. Like the Hulk, Damage was a regular person who transformed into a powerful, destructive monster. However, there were a few differences: Damage was a soldier experimented on by the government, not a scientist, and his transformations were limited to one hour each day. Beyond those points, though, the similarities were striking.
Elvis, who goes by Ethan, is a man on the run from the military. He’s also developed a second personality he frequently clashes with. Despite a lot of promise, his alter ego, Damage, currently feels like a less powerful version of the Hulk. It’s disappointing, because Damage and the other new heroes introduced recently have a lot of potential.
4) Brimstone
Brimstone is a prime example of a character heavily inspired by Ghost Rider. Unlike the original, who was a stuntman who died, Brimstone’s story begins with Joe Chamberlain, a miner’s son from a dying coal town. A strange man known as the Salesman offered to revitalize the town, but at a cost: Joe had to work for him. As it turns out, the Salesman was a devil-like being from another dimension, and he transformed Joe into the demonic Brimstone.
As Brimstone, Joe has the power to control and shape fire at will. While he doesn’t have abilities exactly like Ghost Rider’s Penance Stare or a fiery vehicle, his design and fighting style clearly show that influence. When he transforms, his personality shifts dramatically, becoming more articulate and incredibly destructive – similar to early versions of Ghost Rider. Brimstone is essentially DC’s premier human-turned-demon who hunts other demons, and he excels in that role.
3) Red Lion
Red Lion is essentially a villainous counterpart to Black Panther. He’s the lifelong president of the African country of Buredunia and wears a special suit made of Prometheum that allows him to fight at a superhuman level. Despite claiming to lead a democracy, he’s actually a ruthless dictator known globally for brutally suppressing both his own citizens and his enemies. Red Lion represents what Black Panther might be like if he prioritized power over his people and abandoned heroism. He first appeared in Deathstroke #1 (2016), and surprisingly, he wasn’t just a one-time villain. He became a recurring character in that series and even battled the Justice League in Justice League #41 and #42 (2016).
The connections to Black Panther are deliberate and make sense, considering Christopher Priest created both characters. Priest is famous for his influential work on Black Panther, portraying him as a ruler who prioritized his nation above all else, and wasn’t always a traditional hero. Red Lion feels like what Priest’s Black Panther would be like if he lacked compassion – a truly frightening figure. Ultimately, Red Lion offers a fascinating contrast to Priest’s version of Black Panther, forcing us to consider what drives that character.
2) Sideways
Sideways was arguably the most popular hero to emerge from DC’s recent wave of new characters. Like Spider-Man, Derek James was an unpopular high school student who gained powers and initially wanted to use them for fame. He attempted to become an online celebrity, but tragedy struck when his mother was caught up in the consequences of his actions, leading him to embrace genuine heroism. Despite juggling the demands of being a hero with school and typical teenage life, Derek committed himself to becoming the best hero he could be.
Sideways’ costume looks a lot like Spider-Man’s, and at first glance, he seems similar to Peter Parker. However, they’re actually quite different. Spider-Man gets his powers from being like a spider, while Sideways can create tears in time and space. This allows him to travel throughout the multiverse and even use these rifts as defenses or attacks. We haven’t seen the full extent of his abilities yet, but if anyone on this list is likely to become a major character, it’s probably Sideways.
1) The Maximums
The Maximums were DC Comics’ take on the original Ultimate Universe Avengers, closely mirroring the team’s lineup. Each member was essentially a counterpart to a famous Avenger: Soldier (Captain America), Robot (Iron Man), Viking (Thor), Monster (Hulk), Skyscraper (Giant-Man), Hornet (Wasp), Bowman (Hawkeye), Bug (Spider-Man), and Wolfen (Wolverine). Like the Ultimates, the Maximums were a government-funded superhero team, even adopting the distinctive lowercase lettering in their speech. Several of these heroes were almost exact copies of their Marvel counterparts. For example, Soldier was the government’s very first supersoldier, Skyscraper and Hornet were a married couple, and the team famously yelled “Maximums March!” before going into battle.
Despite not being entirely original, the Monster and Robot characters were cleverly designed – Monster was a girl who turned into a monster when frightened, and Robot was a truly living machine. These heroes were the creations of Joker and Mister Mxyzptlk, who intended to pit them against Batman and Superman, hoping to provoke conflict and expose the heroes’ flaws. While an interesting idea, they were clearly inspired by the Ultimates. They possess enough unique qualities to be successful on their own, but it’s unlikely they’ll ever get the opportunity.
We’ve got seven characters who clearly take inspiration from the Avengers. Which of these Marvel-inspired heroes is your favorite, and which one do you think could be successful as an original character?
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-29 22:18