Marvel and DC have been at the top of the comics world for decades. The Big Two have spent years crafting long and complicated continuities that revolve around central heroes and villains. While Marvel and DC have some distinct superheroes, some characters blur the line between universes.
Several Marvel characters have the same designs, same powers, or same personalities that make them feel like rip-offs of DC's creations. Whether it's Superman clones like Hyperion or Justice League parodies like the Squadron Supreme, the similarities are impossible to deny.
10 The Great Society (The Justice League)
When Marvel's Illuminati was busy preparing to destroy entire worlds, they stumbled upon a group that was also facing the threat of Incursions. The Great Society was a group of immensely powerful superheroes from Earth-4290001. With the help of their Wishing Box — a Mother Box rip-off — they stopped one Incursion, but that was all.
Against the Illuminati, the Great Society failed because they weren't willing to sink far enough. Clinging to the ideas of justice, hope, and order, they collapsed and died. The entire point of the Great Society was to show that even the Justice League would fail against the Incursion threat.
9 Black Cat (Catwoman)
Having a cat-themed villain with enough charisma to dazzle a superhero isn't always a guarantee in comics. That there are two thieves with the same central theme should be enough to raise some eyebrows. Black Cat and Catwoman are just way too alike for their similarities to go unnoticed.
Catwoman first appeared in 1940, and she has toying with Batman ever since. Her Marvel counterpart, Black Cat, has only been appearing since Amazing Spider-Man #194 (created by Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Frank Giacoia, Ben Sean, and John Costanza) in 1979. Cunning thieves who playing the villain and the hero, Black Cat and Catwoman couldn't be more alike.
8 Hyperion (Superman)
A long time ago, a baby was cast away from a dying planet and left on the shores of the Earth. He was raised by human parents before he became a hero and a leader over a legion of superheroes. That was Hyperion's original origin story, and it matches Superman's perfectly.
Hyperion is Marvel's take on the Man of Steel. While his origin has received some changes over the years, he was a means of exploring what Superman would think about Earth-616. Hyperion even sports a cape — something many Marvel heroes lack — and has a similar stubbornness about his beliefs. Borrowing even more from Superman, Hyperion possesses powers like flight, super strength, laser vision, and super speed.
7 Night Thrasher (Batman)
Having seen his parents killed in front of him, the wealthy Dwayne Taylor swore to avenge his parents by stopping the world's criminals. He set about training his body and his mind alike so that he could truly become a force for good. The only thing that set Dwayne apart from Batman was that he was obsessed with his skateboard, rather than bats.
Night Thrasher's skill would make him a perfect Avengers recruit, especially since he's been a leader of the New Warriors for years. While he often delves a little too far into the dark, his friends help steer him back to the light. In that way, he's just like Batman, and that's why Night Thrasher struggles to stand out on his own.
6 Jarvis (Alfred Pennyworth)
Some rip-offs are just too blatant. When a superhero team is greeted by a balding butler who raised its leader, one can't help but assume that the butler is the legendary Alfred Pennyworth. Edwin Jarvis isn't quite as central to the Avengers as Alfred has been to the Bat-Family, but their similarities remain.
Making them even more similar, both Jarvis and Alfred Pennyworth were both trained fighters before taking their place as butlers. Having been introduced in 1943, Alfred is far older than Jarvis, who first appeared in 1964. Alfred has finally been getting the credit he deserves after his death, but Jarvis has mostly been relegated to a cameo role at best.
5 Mr. Fantastic (Plastic Man)
As a member of Marvel's first family, Mister Fantastic should be capable of standing on his own merits. Unfortunately, he was practically ripped right from the pages of 1941's Police Comics #1 (created by Jack Cole), which introduced DC's Plastic Man.
Mister Fantastic and Plastic Man both have the same stretching powers, yet Mister Fantastic first appeared in 1961 — two decades after Plastic Man. While they have very different personalities, it's clear that the fantastic powers Reed Richards received in space came from another source entirely: DC Comics.
4 Sam Alexander (Jaime Reyes)
First appearing in 2011, Sam Alexander discovered that it was his responsibility to take up the mantle of an extraordinary legacy. The only other Earth-based Nova had died, so Sam put on his helmet, set aside his school responsibilities, and did his job as a superhero — frequently putting up with his little sister's teasing.
Sam Alexander's an excellent character who needs to join the MCU, but he's also a carbon copy of Jaime Reyes, the third Blue Beetle (who's receiving a movie this year). First appearing in 2006, Jaime took up the Blue Beetle mantle and was powered by alien tech — just like Sam. Jaime had the same day-to-day civilian life, and he was also tormented by his little sister.
3 The Nova Corps (The Green Lantern Corps)
The Nova Corps bears an uncanny resemblance to DC's Green Lanterns. Among their many similarities, both the Nova and Lantern Corps are police forces powered by a piece of clothing. Additionally, both comprise members of various alien races from around the galaxy.
The Nova Corps draws its energy from the Xandarian Worldmind, while the Green Lantern Corps draws it from their lanterns to their rings. They also face galactic threats — Nova Corps fighting Annihilation and Green Lanterns battling Parallax. Duing such encounters, their team members often get picked off.
2 Squadron Supreme (The Justice League)
Another Justice League rip-off, the Squadron Supreme is a carbon copy of DC's premiere superhero team. Starring versions of Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Batman,and Aquaman, the Squadron Supreme members resemble classic DC characters.
More often than not, the Squadron Supreme is used to contrast the Avengers whenever they appear. They have had a few solo outings, but they rarely last for long. Additionally, Marvel rarely paints the Squadron Supreme in a positive light. The Squadron even started the modern Heroes Reborn crisis.
1 Deadpool (Deathstroke)
Between the costume, the swords, and the healing powers, Deadpool and Deathstroke have way too much in common. They're both mercenaries, and they even share similar names. Deadpool's legal name is Wade Wilson, while Deathstroke's happens to be Slade Wilson. If that's not enough, their masks are too similar to ignore.
Deadpool first appeared in 1991 — over a decade after Deathstroke's introduction inThe New Teen Titans #2 (created by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Romeo Tanghal, Adrienne Roy, and Ben Oda). Deadpool's personality has grown more distinct over the years, but he was originally a complete rip-off of DC's Deathstroke.