Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? So, it’s not a surprise when there are two main titans in the comic book industry that there be some… similarities.
Be it a broad generalization (team of gifted misfits fighting for those that hate them… Doom Patrol/X-Men) or… really specific, like cat burglars who don black spandex suits and team-up and occasionally sleep with their sometimes rival while walking the line between right and wrong (Catwoman/Black Cat).
Marvel and DC have even acknowledged these… coincidences at times, like the Amalgam universe where they met their alternate universe counterpart. We’ve decided to highlight just how bad it can get at times, these are the most shameless Marvel and DC analogs.
Catwoman and Black Cat
Similarities: Black latex clad cat-thieves who commonly gets romantically involved with their sometimes enemy/sometimes ally.
Catwoman first appearance: Batman #1 in Spring 1940
Black Cat first appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #194 in July 1979
Aquaman and Namor
Similarities: Arrogant, brash, not well liked, undersea titans who rule their own kingdom with smarm and charm.
Aquaman first appearance: More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941
Namor first appearance: Motion Picture Funnies Weekly in April 1939
Dr. Fate and Doctor Strange
Similarities: Sorcerers/doctors who wield powerful amulets to fight the evil doers of the magic worlds.
Dr. Fate first appearance: More Fun Comics #55 in May 1940
Doctor Strange first appearance: Strange Tales #110 in July 1963
Deadshot and Bullseye
Similarities: Hired assassin enemies of a vigilante superhero. Expert marksmen who claim to “never miss.”
Deadshot first appearance: Batman #59 in June/July 1950
Bullseye first appearance: Daredevil #131 in March 1976
Thunderbolts and Suicide Squad
Similarities: Teams of villains disguised as heroes with a… flexible sense of right and wrong. Both walking the line between good and evil on a case by case basis.
Thunderbolts first appearance: The Incredible Hulk #449 in January 1997
Suicide Squad first appearance: The Brave and the Bold #25 in September 1959
Lobo and Wolverine
Similarities: Short, hairy, foul mouthed fan favorite characters with a tendency to skewer (with a hook or claws) and chomp on cigars.
Lobo first appearance: Omega Men #3 in June 1983
Wolverine first appearance: The Incredible Hulk #180 in October 1974
Zatanna and Scarlet Witch
Similarities: Powerful leotard clad magicians with powerful fathers, and who are both associated with a team of super powered individuals.
Zatanna first appearance: Hawkman #4 in October 1964
Scarlet Witch first appearance: The X-Men #4 in March 1964
Solomon Grundy and Hulk
Similarities: Anti-heroes with super strength, healing factor, and virtually indestructible (and Hulk was originally gray).
Solomon Grundy first appearance: All-American Comics #61 in October 1944
Hulk first appearance: The Incredible Hulk #1 in May 1962
Batman and Iron Man
Similarities: Egotistical billionaires (one who’s always, one who dons it as a facade) who use their wealth to build a suit and many toys to fight crime.
Batman first appearance: Detective Comics #27 in May 1939
Iron Man first appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 in March 1963
Black Lightning and Electro
Similarities: Electrical generation and manipulation powers with limited flight capabilities.
Black Lightning first appearance: Black Lightning #1 in April 1977
Electro first appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #9 in February 1964
I’m so tired of all these superhero movies.