If you are a fan of superheroes, then you will definitely be aware of the rivalry between the two comic book publishing giants, Marvel, and DC Comics. In addition to the tough competition between the two rival giants, we also see some bitterness within the fans of characters from each universe, both in terms of superiority and powers.
Recently, a huge spike in the rivalry between Superman and Batman fans was witnessed during the release of Man of Steel: Dawn of Justice (2016) and the same is going on between Captain America and Iron Man fans because of the upcoming Marvel movie, Captain America: Civil War (2016).
Well, there’s often an argument about superiority between Superman and Batman within DC universe or the best man among Iron Man and Captain America within Marvel Universe, but in addition to that there’s also a budding rivalry between Iron Man and Batman among the fans across both universe, mainly due to their similar background, about who is the best.
The reason for such rivalry could be the mainly because of the visible similarities between the major characters from both Marvel and DC Universe. In fact, many times, the creators of most of the famous DC or Marvel Universe have confessed that they were inspired by a similar character from the rival universe or the characters were introduced to cash in on the popularity of the superhero from their rival comic book competitors.
Well, there could be a lot of speculations and arguments about such rivalry and similarities between the two universes. However, we can’t possibly deny that there are some characters within both the universe that have uncanny similarity with their counterpart from the opponent universe.
Hence, today we bring you some of the best comparisons between the popular characters or superheroes from both DC and Marvel and let you decide yourself about the resemblances between your favorite superhero and its rival on the other end.
Same kind of characters in DC and Marvel Universe
Batman (1939) – Moon Knight (1975)
One of the two prime superheroes in the DC Universe, Batman is a normal human being without any superpowers but is a master of many different martial arts as well as relies on his wide array of gadgets that includes Batmobile, while he is on his mission to fight crimes in Gotham City. Although he is highly compared with Iron Man from the Marvel Universe mainly because of the similar backgrounds, the best comparison we found for Batman is Moon Knight from Marvel Comics.
Well, the basic reason for the comparison is the look and similarity between the costumes of both these superheroes. Also, there’s a slight resemblance in their names too as Batman is also often referred to as The Dark Knight because of all his crime hunting happens at night when the crime is at its peak. Yet another similarity is the reliance on the use of gadgets as both the superheroes are highly tactical with their approach and use their hand-to-hand combat skills to triumph over their opponents.
Green Arrow (1941) – Hawkeye (1964)
Well, it’s a no-brainer as the biggest similarity between both Green Arrow from DC Comics and Hawkeye of Marvel Comics is the fact that both are highly trained and skilful archers. Besides that one fact, there are no basic similarities between the two characters from the alternate universe of the comic book themes. While Green Arrow is a vigilante superhero, who leads from the front with his aids, Hawkeye, on the other hand, is a team player and is an integral part of The Avengers.
Also read : Best DC and Marvel based superhero TV shows
As for similarity, we can also count the fact that Green Arrow is to Justice League of America, what Hawkeye is to The Avengers.
Catwoman (1940) – Black Cat (1979)
Catwoman is often seen as the love interest for Batman, whereas Black Cat is mostly linked with Spider-Man. The main resemblance is their look and their name. Both fancy the look of a cat as their secret identity as well as have a nag of stealing and being on the other side of the crime, unlike their boyfriends.
Until Black Cat receives super powers from Kingpin, both the women relied on their sharp mental agility and skills in hand-to-hand combats. Also, both of them had a relationship of love and hate with their respective superhero boyfriends.
Deathstroke (1980) – Deadpool (1991)
The comparisons made till now may have been a mere coincidence; however Marvel creators have confessed that the hit character of Deadpool of the Marvel Universe was inspired from Deathstroke of DC comics. Even the names of the men behind the masks, Slade Wilson (Deathstroke) and Wade Wilson (Deadpool) have visible similarities that can’t be ignored.
However, the background of both the characters is very different. While Slade Wilson starts off as a positive character and becomes a supervillain when he dons the mask of Deathstroke, Wade Wilson, on the other hand, becomes Deadpool after he was kicked out of United States Army Special Forces, later exploited as Weapon X and then eventually becomes mighty Deadpool.
Namor (1939) – Aquaman (1941)
After covering the flying and land based superheroes, let’s move on to the superheroes inhabiting the ocean world. Aquaman and Namor are the superheroes from the ocean world for DC Comics and Marvel Comics respectively. Although, both the superheroes have different backgrounds, there are few common links between the two characters that helps us draw comparisons between the two alternate characters from DC and Marvel Universe.
Both these superheroes can live under the sea, yet possess a different set of superpowers and skills.
The Flash (1940) – Quicksilver (1964)
The Flash is a very popular superhero from DC Comics, who is known for his super speed and matching reflexes that give him an upper hand against the criminals he wards off. Well, there is a similar character in Marvel Universe too, who possesses similar ability to move at great speeds. Quicksilver is a mutant with superhuman powers that also includes super speed.
While Flash is often recognized as one of the top standalone superheroes in the DC Universe, Quicksilver often plays the sidekick in the X-Men team or The Avengers. Both the superheroes from alternate Universe are also an integral part of their respective Superheroes team.
Also read: Best Animated Justice League Movies
The Atom (1961) – Ant-Man (1962)
Out of this full list, I believe The Atom and Ant-Man are the only superheroes from their respective universe, who have sheer resemblances with one another. Although Hank Pym, the Biophysicist, and Security Operations expert, was the first Ant-Man, the character is popular for its portrayal by Scott Lang, who is a thief. Meanwhile, Ray Palmer, a physicist, and professor at Ivy University, is the man behind The Atom.
Both the superheroes have a similar ability that allows them to shrink themselves to minute sizes that give them an ultimate advantage against their foes.
Timber Wolf (1964) – Wolverine (1974)
Well, here’s one more comparison across both DC and Marvel Comics, where the characters have great similarity with one another. Wolverine is a mutant, who possesses animal-keen senses, enhanced physical strength, and powerful healing ability. He gets a dose of adamantium forcibly infused into his bones as an experiment for the Weapon X program, which makes him stronger and gives him metal claws that are indestructible. On the other side, DC Comics already had a similar character in the form of Timber Wolf that never got the fame and popularity like his counterpart from the Marvel Universe.
Same as Wolverine, Timber Wolf also gets his superhuman powers such as speed and agility as well as enhanced senses and healing ability after an experiment where his father gives him a dose of a serum containing Zuunium.
Doctor Mid-Nite (1941) – Daredevil (1964)
Many of us had developed that mindset that you need at least one super power or super gadgets with expertise in hand-to-hand combats, but after the launch of these two superheroes in the alternate universes of DC and Marvel comics, it was proved that anybody, even someone with a physical restriction, can become a superhero, only if he has the willpower and strong determination.
Despite being blind, Doctor Mid-Nite from DC Comics and Daredevil from Marvel Comics overcame their physical weakness and became the first and the only blind superhero of their respective universe.
Red Tornado (1960) – Vision (1968)
While all of the superheroes listed above were humans, metahumans or superhumans, there was one superhero each in DC and Marvel Universe, who were Androids, created by the supervillain of the respective comic book world.
Both the superheroes were launched around the same era and hence today the followers of DC and Marvel debate on who came first? Well, Red Tornado from DC comics was created by evil scientist T.O. Morrow using the advanced technology stolen from the future and the character made its debut in 1960. Meanwhile, Vision was created by Ultron using the ancient technology of the past and the character made its debut in 1968. Both were robots and played supporting roles for their respective teams of their alternate universes.
Black Canary (1947) – Black Widow (1964)
With a sheer resemblance in their names, Black Canary of DC Comics and Black Widow from Marvel Comics has a lot of similarities in their respective characters. Both the female superheroes don’t possess any superpowers but rely on their hand-to-hand combat skills and work as a strong aid for their respective teams in their respective universes.
Black Canary is one of the ideal members of the Justice League of America and Justice League of Society while Black Widow is one of the strong assets of The Avengers and a special agent of the fictional spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D.
Elongated Man (1960) – Mister Fantastic (1961)
Most of Marvel fans are unaware of the fact that the Fantastic Four franchise is also owned by Marvel Entertainment. Nevertheless, they are a part of the big Marvel Universe and that brings us to our next comparison. Out of the four main members of the Fantastic Four, Mr. hug, who is also the leader of the group, has similar elasticity powers that’re also possessed by the Elongated Man from DC Universe.
Although, both these characters from their distinct universe debuted almost in the same era; these characters are under no doubts inspired by Plastic Man, a fictional superhero from Quality Comics, later acquired by DC Comics.
Over to you!
We have mentioned only those characters, which have sheer resemblance with their counterpart on the other side. But, there are many other characters within the same universe or the other, who have some qualities, factors or powers similar to one another. Also, we have only mentioned the characters, which are popular and have a good cult following among the mass.
Now, it’s up to you. Let us know if we missed any superheroes on the list, which have resemblances with their counterparts either within or from the opposite universe.
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