History AlternateCompanyEquivalent / ComicBooks

* Creator/ImageComics' ''ComicBook/Cyberforce'' has Cyblade, who is a pretty obvious {{Expy}} to Marvel's Psylocke.

* DC's ComicBook/{{Lobo}} is an obvious parody of the gritty NinetiesAntiHero (though he first appeared in the eighties), while his powers are specific parodies of Marvel's ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}. Lobo himself was parodied in Marvel when ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} meets up with a very similar character named "Dirty Wolff". The circle came 'round again when Marvel came up with Lunatik, an [[UpToEleven even more over-the-top]] (if that can be believed) parody of Lobo. It should be noted that both characters were created by the same person, and Lobo is actually a DecompositeCharacter of the former (the other half went into ComicBook/AmbushBug). Lobo also has another equivalent in Creator/RobLiefeld's Bloodwulf. Of course, ''all'' of Liefeld's characters are stupidly overmuscled grizzled anti-heroes - this time he just meant it as a joke. The cover of the first issue of his comic features Bloodwulf smiling menacingly as Lobo's limp body hangs from his own chain, by the way. And the second issue features a cameo by Lobo as a drunken has-been.

** From the Awesome Comics section of the company, there's also ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}, which was originally Creator/RobLiefeld's pitch for a Teen Titans series before becoming their own characters at Image. The team's leader is Shaft, a redheaded archer and former government agent, obviously based on DC's Roy Harper/Arsenal. The short-lived Creator/AlanMoore run took this UpToEleven, introducing several new characters who were pastiches of various DC teen heroes, including Suprema (Supergirl), Twilight (Comicbook/{{Nightwing}}) and Doc Rocket (Jesse Quick/Kid Flash).

* Creator/GrantMorrison’s ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity'' for Creator/DCComics and Creator/JonathanHickman’s ''ComicBook/NewAvengers'' for Creator/MarvelComics. Both series started a few years apart (though Multiversity was in the planning stages much longer) and deal with the cross-through between alternate Earths, as well as the possible destruction of the Multiverse.

** Mongul of DC, who was created by Jim Starlin to rip off ComicBook/{{Thanos}} of Marvel, who was created by Starlin to rip off ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} of DC. All three are bulky GalacticConqueror characters who can become the BigBad to many heroes, as strong as the strongest heroes around, though while Darkseid is an outright PhysicalGod, Thanos has to use the Infinity Gauntlet to get to a similar power level. Mongul is more akin to Thanos in this regard not naturally being a god.

** ''ComicBook/TheAvengersKurtBusiek'' is this to ''ComicBook/JLA1997''. Both are runs that would go back to basics after periods considered {{dork age}}s (The latter part of the ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' period for the League, stories like ''ComicBook/TheCrossing'' and ''ComicBook/HeroesRebornTheAvengers'' for the Avengers), both started with line-ups that hearken back to classic ones[[note]]''JLA'' starting as a reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter, with Wally West and Kyle Rayner replacing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively as the Flash and Green Lantern present; ''Avengers'' starting off with Captain America, Iron Man (complete with it being the original, adult Tony Stark), Thor, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and Ms. Marvel (albeit going by "Warbird" at the time), and being joined by Justice and Firestar as reservists initially[[/note]], and both are regarded as highlights of their respective teams. Following this train of thought, the mid-90s ''Avengers'' and ''Justice League'' runs that led to such relaunches being necessary in the first place could be seen as counterparts, especially with the emphasis on C and D-list heroes that wound up being jettisoned once Creator/GrantMorrison and Creator/KurtBusiek took over (characters like Comicbook/BlueDevil, Crimson Fox, Nuklon, Obsidian and Icemaiden at DC, and ComicBook/BlackKnight, [[Comicbook/TheEternals Sersi]], [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Crystal]] and Deathcry at Marvel).

* During ''ComicBook/CivilWar'', Ben Grimm refused to take a side in the conflict and briefly moved to Paris. Their local heroes were [[http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Les_Heroes_de_Paris_(Earth-616) a light-hearted Justice League pastiche]], riffing on how [[DarkerAndEdgier grimdark]] things were getting back in America. Their leader was a Superman expy (or, given his white costume and blonde hair, a RuleSixtyThree version of ComicBook/PowerGirl) named Adamantine. Also present were expies of Batman, Catwoman, Flash and Green Lantern - and a composite of Deadman and the Question.

** In Laura's film debut, ''Film/{{Logan}}'', she is played by 11 year old Creator/DafneKeen, making her a good bit younger than the teen she's usually portrayed as being. Cassandra's film debut in ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'' has her portrayed as similarly younger than her comic counterpart by 12 year old Ella Basco. Although it remains to be seen if it's a coincidence or it was intentionally done like the ''Wonder Woman'' movie influencing ''Captain Marvel'' example above.  It should also be noted that X-23 being presented as a little girl in ''Logan'' is TruerToTheText for her as she was a CanonImmigrant created for ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' and there, she was an AmbigousBrown little girl; Cassandra's portrayal in ''Birds of Prey'' is purely InNameOnly.

* The ''ComicBook/NewWarriors'' are this to DC's ''ComicBook/TeenTitans''. Like the Titans, the Warriors are a team of teens and young adults. The New Warriors appeared as a team a decade after the Wolfman and Perez Teen Titans run[[note]]The New Warriors however did cameo in an issue of ComicBook/TheMightyThor in 1989 before they got their book in the 1990s[[/note]]. Both teams even have Atlanteans among their founding members. The ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' have also been called Marvel's answer to the Teen Titans, especially since both books saw their heyday in TheEighties. In more modern times, both the ''ComicBook/YoungAvengers'' and the ''ComicBook/{{Champions|2016}}'' could be seen as Marvel's version of the Teen Titans (or ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'').

** Even their villains follow a similar fold. Both have a large, colourful set of villains who are typically science-related much like the titular hero, with many forming together as a group to take on the hero together (The Sinister Six/The Rogues). Though some of their villains are indeed monsters, they often fight villains who are just out-of-work but very smart engineers who've used their skills to develop tech to commit crime as a means to earn a (not very legitimate) living, with many even pulling HeelFaceTurns at times. However, they maintain an arch-nemesis who has a deep, personal, and incredibly petty hatred for them that has lead to a brutal rivalry that's cost the hero many loved ones (Green Goblin/Reverse Flash). Their second-most prominent villain is a dark reflection of the hero, bestowed similar powers through a different means who uses them to engage in psychotic attacks against said hero, while maintaining a strange, distorted moral code (Venom/Zoom).

** DC actually has three different analogues to Marvel's War Machine: the aforementioned Steel, ComicBook/{{Cyborg}}, and ComicBook/{{Hardware}}. All of them are African American ScienceHero[=es=] who are clad in suits of PoweredArmor and occasionally demonstrate {{Technopath}} abilities.

* Though she didn't start out this way, Wanda Maximoff aka ComicBook/ScarletWitch has since become the Marvel equivalent to DC's ComicBook/{{Zatanna}}, as both are [[HotWitch beautiful]] [[LadyOfBlackMagic sorceresses]] who are the main mage characters of their [[ComicBook/TheAvengers respective]] [[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica teams]]. Originally, Scarlet Witch had the power to [[WindsOfDestinyChange alter probability]] before Creator/KurtBusiek re-wrote her as having the natural ability to control chaos magic, similar to how Zatanna can naturally control magic due to being a [[WitchSpecies Homo Magi]]. Wanda's 2016 solo series reveals that she inherited her mystical abilities from her mother just as Zatanna inherited her magic from her father.

** In Laura's film debut, ''Film/{{Logan}}'', she is played by 11 year old Creator/DafneKeen, making her a good bit younger than the teen she's usually portrayed as being. Cassandra's film debut in ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'' has her portrayed as similarly younger than her comic counterpart by 12 year old Ella Basco. Although it remains to be seen if it's a coincidence or it was intentionally done like the ''Wonder Woman'' movie influencing ''Captain Marvel'' example above.

** ''ComicBook/TheAvengersKurtBusiek'' is this to ''ComicBook/JLA1997''. Both are runs that would go back to basics after periods considered {{dork age}}s (The latter part of the ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' period for the League, stories like ''ComicBook/TheCrossing'' and ''ComicBook/HeroesRebornTheAvengers'' for the Avengers), both started with line-ups that hearken back to classic ones[[note]]''JLA'' starting as a reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter, with Wally West and Kyle Rayner replacing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively as the Flash and Green Lantern present; ''Avengers'' starting off with Captain America, Iron Man (complete with it being the original, adult Tony Stark), Thor, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and Ms. Marvel (albeit going by "Warbird" at the time), and being joined by Justice and Firestar as reservists initially[[/note]], and both are regarded as highlights of their respective teams. Following this train of thought, the mid-90s ''Avengers'' and ''Justice League'' runs that led to such relaunches being necessary in the first place could be seen as counterparts, especially with the emphasis on C and D-list heroes that wound up being jettisoned once Morrison and Busiek took over (characters like Comicbook/BlueDevil, Crimson Fox, Nuklon, Obsidian and Icemaiden at DC, and ComicBook/BlackKnight, [[Comicbook/TheEternals Sersi]], [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Crystal]] and Deathcry at Marvel).

* Around 2014, Marvel and [=DC=] launched a full-scale back-and-forth alternate equivalent arms race, once they realized that they could make money by publishing books for girls and young women. Marvel opened up the floodgates with ''ComicBook/MsMarvel2014'', a funny, light-hearted book about a nerdy teenage Muslim Pakistani-American girl becoming a superhero. [=DC=] responded with the "Batgirl of Burnside" revamp of ''ComicBook/Batgirl2011'', updating classic Batgirl Barbara Gordon's costume to be more fashionable and practical and abandoning the "All Batman-related characters must be unhappy grimdark antiheroes at all times" edict in favour of bright colors and a promise of making Batgirl ''fun'' again. Marvel returned fire with the 2014 revamp of ''ComicBook/SpiderWoman'', where Jessica Drew gets a similar costume aesthetic and art style to Batgirl of Burnside, and the accidental lightning-in-a-bottle smash hit ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'', an AlternateUniverse take on Spider-Man's [[StuffedIntoTheFridge dead girlfriend]] who shares a couple coincidental similarities to Barbara, both being fashionable daughters of cops. [=DC=] responded to Spider-Gwen with ''ComicBook/BlackCanary'', a total revamp spinning out of Batgirl of Burnside where Black Canary has (like Gwen) joined a band with a similarly electric color scheme. Marvel responded to that with a revamp of ComicBook/SquirrelGirl, for the first time ever giving the character a solo series, ramping up the comedic aspects of the character, and aiming it at the younger audiences. [=DC=] respond by giving an ongoing to ComicBook/HarleyQuinn and ramping up the comedic aspects of the character while also launching ''ComicBook/GothamAcademy'' aimed at the younger audience. Marvel answered to Harley with ComicBook/TheUnbelievableGwenpool, a character who is inspired by Spider-Gwen above while also taking on a wacky personality akin to Harley (who got hers from Deadpool, the character that Gwenpool is also a reference to) and to Gotham Academy with ComicBook/MoonGirlAndDevilDinosaur, with Moon Girl being a superpowered young student similar to [[PlayingWithFire Olive Silverlock]], the protagonist of ''Gotham Academy''.

* The Super-Axis from ''ComicBook/TheInvadersMarvel'' were a similar parody of the Justice League. Master Man was supposed to be Superman, Warrior Woman was Wonder Woman, Baron Blood was Batman, and U-Man was ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}.

* The authors of DC's ''ComicBook/{{Freedom Fighters|DC}}'' and Marvel's ''ComicBook/TheInvadersMarvel'' decided to do a pseudo-crossover; each team fought a team based on the other called (in both books) The Crusaders.

** ''ComicBook/KurtBusieksAvengers'' is this to ''ComicBook/JLA1997''. Both are runs that would go back to basics after periods considered {{dork age}}s (The latter part of the ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' period for the League, stories like ''ComicBook/TheCrossing'' and ''ComicBook/HeroesRebornTheAvengers'' for the Avengers), both started with line-ups that hearken back to classic ones[[note]]''JLA'' starting as a reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter, with Wally West and Kyle Rayner replacing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively as the Flash and Green Lantern present; ''Avengers'' starting off with Captain America, Iron Man (complete with it being the original, adult Tony Stark), Thor, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and Ms. Marvel (albeit going by "Warbird" at the time), and being joined by Justice and Firestar as reservists initially[[/note]], and both are regarded as highlights of their respective teams. Following this train of thought, the mid-90s ''Avengers'' and ''Justice League'' runs that led to such relaunches being necessary in the first place could be seen as counterparts, especially with the emphasis on C and D-list heroes that wound up being jettisoned once Morrison and Busiek took over (characters like Comicbook/BlueDevil, Crimson Fox, Nuklon, Obsidian and Icemaiden at DC, and ComicBook/BlackKnight, [[Comicbook/TheEternals Sersi]], [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Crystal]] and Deathcry at Marvel).

* ''[[ComicBook/JonathanHickmansAvengers New Avengers]]'' Vol. 3 introduced another Justice League pastiche called the Great Society. The team consisted of Sun God (Superman), the Rider (Batman, right down to having the first name "Wayne"), the Norn (ComicBook/DoctorFate mixed with a bit of ComicBook/{{Shazam}} and possibly [[ComicBook/BooksOfMagic Timothy Hunter]]), Doctor Spectrum (Green Lantern), the Boundless (the Flash), and the Jovian (ComicBook/MartianManhunter). For bonus points, their name was a ShoutOut to the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica.

* As red suits of PoweredArmor that have been worn by [[LegacyCharacter numerous characters]] and are associated with a particular political ideology (Communism and Nazism respectively), it's not hard to see Iron Man enemy the Crimson Dynamo and Wonder Woman foe Red Panzer as being one another's equivalents. Crimson Dynamo has another equivalent in the form of Rocket Red of ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational as both are Russian superheroes wearing PoweredArmor (though Rocket Red is usually a more heroic character).

* The ''ComicBook/NewWarriors'' are this to DC's ''ComicBook/TeenTitans''. Like the Titans, the Warriors are a team of teens and young adults. The New Warriors appeared as a team a decade after the Wolfman and Perez Teen Titans run[[note]]The New Warriors however did cameo in an issue of ComicBook/TheMightyThor in 1989 before they got their book in the 1990s[[/note]]. Both teams even have Atlanteans among their founding members. The ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' have also been called Marvel's answer to the Teen Titans, especially since both books saw their heyday in TheEighties. In more modern times, both the ''ComicBook/YoungAvengers'' and the ''ComicBook/{{Champions|2016}}'' could be seen as Marvel's version of the Teen Titans.

* DC's ComicBook/PoisonIvy and Marvel's ComicBook/TheEnchantress are both FemmeFatale supervillains with seduction-based mind controlling powers who frequently flirt with their respective heroes (Batman and Thor) with only a two year difference of character debut in comics.

* The Kate Spencer iteration of ComicBook/{{Manhunter}} can be seen as DC's answer to Marvel's ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}. Like Matt, Kate is a practicing lawyer who moonlights as a vigilante in [[RedIsHeroic red]], fights with a staff weapon and has a tragic personal life. Daredevil has another analogue in the form of Doctor Mid-nite of the ComicBook/JusticeSociety, as both are BlindWeaponmaster[=s=] with SuperSenses.

* ComicBook/PlasticMan and ComicBook/ElongatedMan to [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Mr. Fantastic]], being the resident RubberMan with stretching powers. Despite being the less prominet of the two, Elongated Man is the closer equivalent to Mr. Fantastic in that both are known for their intelligence (Ralph is a detective while Reed is one of the smartest men in the Marvel Universe), have no SecretIdentity (being some of the first public superheroes in comics), and have been embroiled in controversial events revolving around privacy (''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'' and ''ComicBook/CivilWar'' respectively).
* ComicBook/SuperYoungTeam and ComicBook/BigHero6, as both are Japanese superhero teams. Similarly, the Great Ten and [[ComicBook/NewSuperMan Justice League of China]] to the Dynasty and ComicBook/AgentsofAtlas as Chinese superhero teams (though the Agents of Atlas are a pan-Asian team and include some Aisan-American members).

* DC has Hiro Okamura while Marvel has ComicBook/AmadeusCho, both Asian TeenGenius characters.
* ComicBook/TheWasp from ComicBook/TheAvengers and Bumblebee from the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans''. In fact, depending on the adaptation or continuity, Bumblebee can shrink and fire energy blasts like the Wasp does.

* As red suits of PoweredArmor that have been worn by [[LegacyCharacter numerous characters]] and are associated with a particular political ideology (Communism and Nazism respectively), it's not hard to see Iron Man enemy the Crimson Dynamo and Wonder Woman foe Red Panzer as being one another's equivalents. Crimson Dynamo has another equivalent in the form of Rocket Red as both are Russian superheroes wearing PoweredArmor (though Rocket Red is usually a more heroic character).

* ComicBook/BlackAdam is DC's answer to Marvel's Namor and Doctor Doom. Like the two Marvel villains, Adam is a brutal tyrant who nonetheless genuinely cares about his nation of Kahndaq and is worshipped by his subjects as a hero. Namor moreso as he often borders on AntiHero at times depending on which side of the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor he is on at the moment.

* ComicBook/TheAtom and ComicBook/AntMan (or Giant-Man). Both are the resident SizeShifter[=s=] of their respective companies and are frequently subject to the LegacyCharacter. In terms of specific identity holders, Ray Palmer is to Hank Pym (both are ScienceHero[=es=] embroiled in controversial story arcs) while Ryan Choi is to Scott Lang (both are the MorePopularReplacement to the former due to being more frequently used in modern adaptations, Lang moreso than Choi).

* Mongul of DC, who was created by Jim Starlin to rip off ComicBook/{{Thanos}} of Marvel, who was created by Starlin to rip off ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} of DC. All three are bulky GalacticConqueror characters who can become the BigBad to many heroes, as strong as the strongest heroes around, though while Darkseid is an outright PhysicalGod, Thanos has to use the Infinity Gauntlet to get to a similar power level. Mongul is more akin to Thanos in this regard not naturally being a god.

** ComicBook/AmandaWaller and [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Ultimate]] (or any post-''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' version of) ComicBook/NickFury (Jr.), as both characters oversee prominent hero groups whose members are not the most stable, the Suicide Squad (a BoxedCrook team) for Amanda, the Ultimates and Avengers (the former being [[AdaptationalJerkass meaner]], [[AdaptationalVillainy more unstable]] depictions of heroes, the latter being the black ops branch who do what the former cannot be seen doing) for Nick, but are ruthless enough to border on VillainProtagonist. Both are African American government workers who can serve as either an ally or antagonist to superheroes depending on the story's needs.

* ComicBook/DoctorFate and ComicBook/DoctorStrange, DC and Marvel respectively, both of whom have been referred to as "The Sorcerer Supreme" though it's the latter's official title. Fate is a legacy character, however, and Strange actually is a medical doctor (former surgeon). They got merged into Doctor Strangefate in Amalgam Comics. Although currently, DC's magic representative character seems to be ComicBook/JohnConstantine.

* DC's Starro and Marvel's Shuma-Gorath. Both are one-eyed, many-limbed [[EldritchAbomination eldritch monsters]] that have conquered many worlds and pose cosmic-level threats. This is mostly coincidental, as Shuma-Gorath is an obscure PublicDomain character who rarely appears in Marvel's comics and is usually portrayed as a gigantic wielder of reality breaking magic and EnergyAbsorption while Starro is a much more frequently appearing, smaller than an adult human head, more directly leads armies and makes use of PuppeteerParasite tactics. However, one time the Justice League battled not Starro and his minions but a gigantic Starro relative known as "The Star Conqueror", who was an obvious Shuma-Gorath nod. They also made the jump to the big screen at roughly the same time, with Starro being the BigBad of ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' and Shuma-Gorath (albeit as a CompositeCharacter with America Chavez villain Gargantos) appearing in ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' [[spoiler: though he made an EarlyBirdCameo in TheStinger for ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'']].

** This reflects somewhat in the latter two's primary love interests, Iris West-Allen and Linda Park-West, respectfully, as they both take aspects of Peter Parker's two primary love interests, Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson-Parker. Like Gwen and Peter, Linda didn't initially get along with Wally at first, and was typically the serious minded of the pair in their relationship; meanwhile, Iris was the 'first girl' of Barry like Gwen was for Peter (not counting his high school love interest Betty), but was tragically killed by a supervillain (Green Goblin/Reverse-Flash), though unlike Gwen, she actually came back to life later. Like Peter and MJ, Iris is a case of HeroesWantRedHeads and she acted as something of a ManicPixieDreamGirl who he later married and became a confidante of his superheroing, and in recent rewrites has been characterised as a childhood friend; Linda and Wally meanwhile are shown to have a very flirty and playful relationship like Peter and MJ (while maintaining the ManicPixieDreamGirl dynamic but flipping it so ''Wally'' is the 'dream girl'), and due to his public identity she provides an emotional support and constant aid during his superheroing, and during occasions where she's threatened by supervillains is often an active participant in shutting them down instead of merely waiting to be rescued. They've repeatedly suffered setbacks that have often put a 'pause' on their relationship, and despite her not being the 'first girl' is typically seen as his primary One True Love. Also, like MJ, Linda initially wasn't going to be the main love interest for Wally until fandom popularity saw her PromotedToLoveInterest.

* Wonder Woman villain Circe has two among Thor's rogues, Amora and Loki. Like Amora, Circe is a LadyOfBlackMagic who dresses in green. Like Loki, Circe is a mischievous godly sorcerer with a craft for manipulation. She has a more heroic analogue in the form of Sersi of ComicBook/TheEternals, given their shared basis in ClassicalMythology.
* The Kate Spencer iteration of ComicBook/{{Manhunter}} can be seen as DC's answer to Marvel's ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}. Like Matt, Kate is a practicing lawyer who moonlights as a vigilante in [[RedIsHeroic red]], fights with a staff weapon and has a tragic personal life.

* ''ComicBook/{{Darkseid}}'' has ''two'' Marvel equivalents: ''ComicBook/{{Thanos}}'' (as shown on the page image) and ''ComicBook/{{Apocalypse}}'', with Thanos having his OmnicidalManiac tendencies plus being a GalacticConqueror and Apocalypse being more like his EvilOverlord side.
* The Chief of the ComicBook/DoomPatrol and ComicBook/ProfessorX of the Franchise/XMen. Both are wheelchair-bound leaders of a superhero team of social rejects, both had morally dubious actions -- and thanks to retcons, that last part is an {{understatement}} (with Xavier hiding the fact that the Danger Room grew sentient and mindwiped Cyclops to forget he had a second brother; Caulder having actually been responsible for the Doom Patrol and [[BrainInAJar archenemy the Brain]] becoming what they are) -- and said actions (especially with the retcons) eventually caused their respective teams to disown them.

** ComicBook/AmandaWaller and [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Ultimate]] (or any post-''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' version of) ComicBook/NickFury (Jr.), as both characters oversee prominent hero groups whose members are not the most stable, the Suicide Squad (a BoxedCrook team) for Amanda, the Ultimates and Avengers (the former being [[AdaptationalJerkass meaner]], [[AdaptationalVillainy more unstable]] depictions of heroes, the latter being the black ops branch who do what the former cannot be seen doing) for Nick, but are ruthless enough to border on VillainProtagonist. Both are government workers who can serve as either an ally or antagonist to superheroes depending on the story's needs.

** Captain Marvel himself has what is considered a Marvel Comics Equivalent, not specifically due to similar powers or characterization but because Marvel Comics has [[NamesTheSame its own hero called]] ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}. (Fawcett's trademark to the name lapsed before DC got the character, so Marvel took advantage and DC had to rename their Marvel to Shazam.) Amalgam Comics merged them into a single character named Captain Marvel, while ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded the name coincidence]] by making both of them think, in unison, a "Captain Marvel, watch out!" warning. In 2019, both Capt Marvels had a film released, which caused confusion on some fronts.

* They didn't start out that way, but over the years DC's ComicBook/LexLuthor and Marvel's ComicBook/DoctorDoom have become one another's equivalents. Both are supremely intelligent men who see themselves as the true saviours of humanity and are {{driven by envy}} of their nemesis. Both don PoweredArmor in order to battle the heroes directly. Both frequently punch well out of their weight class, have served as the {{Big Bad}}s of numerous crossover arcs, and have graduated from opposing just one hero to become universal menaces. Both have successfully taken over the world on occasion, both have briefly obtained godlike power, and both are occasionally forced into alliance with the heroes against worse foes. Perhaps most tellingly, both are regular {{Karma Houdini}}s whom other supervillains wish they could emulate, and both serve as absolutely dominant figures within their respective supervillain communities. In Squadron Supreme, both are combined into one character - Emil Burbank, who has Luthor's backstory and Doom's armour.
* As red suits of PoweredArmor that have been worn by [[LegacyCharacter numerous characters]] and are associated with a particular political ideology (Communism and Nazism respectively), it's not hard to see Iron Man enemy the Crimson Dynamo and Wonder Woman foe Red Panzer as being one another's equivalents.

* Marvel's ComicBook/TheVision and DC's ComicBook/RedTornado is an interesting situation. Not only are they the premier android heroes of the Avengers and Justice League and often the subject of stories dealing with WhatMeasureIsANonHuman themes, they are both re-imaginations of obscure golden age characters and originally created by villains to destroy the league/avengers only to make a HeelFaceTurn. The fact they only debuted about a month from each other (too soon for their similarities to be anything but a coincidence) makes it even more astounding. Vision also has a mostly similar powerset to ComicBook/MartianManhunter (he lacks the telepathy but he does have density shifting), while Red Tornado is a LegacyCharacter to earlier heroes that used the name
** Tomorrow Woman, introduced in Creator/GrantMorrison run in JLA, also fits the role. It's not quite a coincidence, since MadScientist T. O. Morrow created both Tomorrow Woman and Red Tornado. Professor Ivo [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] her similarites with Red Tornado (and, by extension, the Vision), saying that Morrow's creations have a tendency to change sides.

* DC's Starro and Marvel's Shuma-Gorath. Both are one-eyed, many-limbed [[EldritchAbomination eldritch monsters]] that have conquered many worlds and pose cosmic-level threats. This is mostly coincidental, as Shuma-Gorath is an obscure PublicDomain character who rarely appears in Marvel's comics and is usually portrayed as a gigantic wielder of reality breaking magic and EnergyAbsorption while Starro is a much more frequently appearing, smaller than an adult human head, more directly leads armies and makes use of PuppeteerParasite tactics. However, one time the Justice League battled not Starro and his minions but a gigantic Starro relative known as "The Star Conqueror", who was an obvious Shuma-Gorath nod.

** DC actually has three different analogues to Marvel's War Machine: the aforementioned Steel, ComicBook/{{Cyborg}}, and ComicBook/{{Hardware}}. All of them are African American ScienceHero[=s=] who are clad in suits of PoweredArmor and occasionally demonstrate {{Technopath}} abilities.
** War Machine can also be viewed as a distant analogue to ComicBook/GreenLantern John Stewart, as both are African American MilitarySuperhero[=s=] who became temporary AffirmativeActionLegacy [[LegacyCharacter Characters]] (to Franchise/IronMan and Hal Jordan respectively).

* Wonder Woman villain Circe has two among Thor's rogues, Amora and Loki. Like Amora, Circe is a LadyOfBlackMagic who dresses in green. Like Loki, Circe is a mischievous godly sorcerer with a craft for manipulation.

** ComicBook/AmandaWaller and [[ComicBook/UltimateMarvel Ultimate]] ComicBook/NickFury, both characters oversee prominent hero groups whose members are not the most stable, the Suicide Squad (a BoxedCrook team) for Amanda, the Ultimates and Avengers (the former being [[AdaptationalJerkass meaner]], [[AdaptationalVillainy more unstable]] depictions of heroes, the latter being the black ops branch who do what the former cannot be seen doing) for Nick, but are ruthless enough to border on VillainProtagonist.

* Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) of the [[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLA]] and ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}}[[IHaveManyNames / Photon / Spectrum]] (ComicBook/MonicaRambeau) of ComicBook/TheAvengers. Not only do both heroines sport [[LightEmUp light manipulation powers]] and black and white costumes, but Doctor Light was actually conceived as a black woman before George Perez and Marv Wolfman realized this would make her seem ''too'' similar to Monica.

** Bucky and Jason Todd fulfilled the DeadSidekick role, though Bucky was killed much earlier than Jason. Bucky and Jason came back to life as gun-toting villains around the same time, though Bucky was accepted by his mentor as not having been himself, and was accepted by the superhero community after his return. Jason was not, due to being unrepentant in his actions, but in the New 52, sort-of is.

* ComicBook/BlackAdam is DC's answer to Marvel's Namor and Doctor Doom. Like the two Marvel villains, Adam is a brutal tyrant who nonetheless genuinely cares about his nation of Kahndaq and is worshipped by his subjects as a hero. Namor moreso as he often borders on AntiHero

* ComicBook/AmandaWaller can be seen as DC's equivalent to ComicBook/NickFury and ComicBook/MariaHill - a government worker who can serve as either an ally or antagonist to superheroes depending on the story's needs.

* Jason Todd and Bucky Barnes. Both started out as sidekicks to the resident CharlesAtlasSuperpower BadassNormal (ComicBook/{{Batman}} and ComicBook/CaptainAmerica respectively) and were infamous for being killed off and staying dead for a long time (a famous saying was that "No one stays dead in comics except Bucky, Jason Todd, and Uncle Ben"). Both sidekicks not only eventually came BackFromTheDead, but CameBackStrong as gun-wielding AntiHero vigilantes at odds with the rest of the superhero community. Ever since his resurrection and reinvention as the gun-wielding vigilante who clashes with other heroes, Jason has also pretty much been DC's equivalent to the Punisher.

* Braniac and Ultron. Both were formerly peaceful AIs who [[AIIsACrapshoot went rogue]] and became among the most dangerous supervillains in their respective universes. Both are constantly upgrading their own bodies and command armies of robotic minions. Ultron has another equivalent in the form of ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' foe the Construct, as both are electronic consciousnesses inhabiting robot bodies who seek to destroy humanity and are frequently destroyed only to reconstruct themselves in new bodies (and just to hammer the point home further, the Construct was created by former Avengers writer Creator/SteveEnglehart.)
** ComicBook/AdamStrange and [[ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2008 Star-Lord]]. Both are GenreRefugee[=s=] from the pulp science fiction era, being essentially CaptainSpaceDefenderOfEarth[=-style=] space rangers in the vein of Franchise/FlashGordon or ComicStrip/BuckRogers. They also have elements of being a DiscoDan in them referencing the past, as Adam Strange's costume captures the classic sci-fi adventurer while Star-Lord is associated with music from the 60s and the 70s (while he used to pattern his costume after classic sci-fi adventurers, his costume nowadays is a more SpaceWestern[=-inspired=] BadassLongcoat).

* Ever since his resurrection and reinvention as the gun-wielding vigilante who clashes with other heroes, Jason Todd has pretty much been DC's equivalent to the Punisher.

* ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' foe the Construct is an electronic consciousness inhabiting a robot body who seeks to destroy humanity and who is frequently destroyed only to reconstruct himself in a new body and who has a lot in common with ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'' foe Ultron, an artificial intelligence inhabiting a robot body who seeks to destroy humanity and who is frequently destroyed only to reconstruct himself in a new body. (And, just to hammer the point home further, the Construct was created by former Avengers writer Creator/SteveEnglehart.)

** ''ComicBook/KurtBusieksAvengers'' is this to ''ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsJLA''. Both are runs that would go back to basics after periods considered {{dork age}}s (The latter part of the ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' period for the League, stories like ''ComicBook/TheCrossing'' and ''ComicBook/HeroesRebornTheAvengers'' for the Avengers), both started with line-ups that hearken back to classic ones[[note]]''JLA'' starting as a reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter, with Wally West and Kyle Rayner replacing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively as the Flash and Green Lantern present; ''Avengers'' starting off with Captain America, Iron Man (complete with it being the original, adult Tony Stark), Thor, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and Ms. Marvel (albeit going by "Warbird" at the time), and being joined by Justice and Firestar as reservists initially[[/note]], and both are regarded as highlights of their respective teams. Following this train of thought, the mid-90s ''Avengers'' and ''Justice League'' runs that led to such relaunches being necessary in the first place could be seen as counterparts, especially with the emphasis on C and D-list heroes that wound up being jettisoned once Morrison and Busiek took over (characters like Comicbook/BlueDevil, Crimson Fox, Nuklon, Obsidian and Icemaiden at DC, and ComicBook/BlackKnight, [[Comicbook/TheEternals Sersi]], [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Crystal]] and Deathcry at Marvel).

* ''ComicBook/SquadronSupreme'' is Marvel's direct take off of DC's ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica''. Roy Thomas explicitly created them to [[SpiritualCrossover do Avengers/Justice League team-ups and face-offs without having to negotiate for the rights]]. (Ironically, at first the Avengers fought evil versions of them called the Squadron Sinister, who were moreso an A.C.E. of DC's own evil Justice League the Crime Syndicate.) The most famous incarnation comes from Earth-712 in the Marvel Multiverse, which is effectively [[CastOfExpies lousy with A.C.E.s from DC]]. The central cast includes Hyperion (Franchise/{{Superman}}), Nighthawk (Franchise/{{Batman}}), Power Princess (Franchise/WonderWoman), Doctor Spectrum (Franchise/GreenLantern), the Whizzer (Franchise/TheFlash), Amphibian (ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}), Tom Thumb (ComicBook/TheAtom), Lady Lark aka Skylark (ComicBook/BlackCanary), Golden Archer (ComicBook/GreenArrow), Arcanna (ComicBook/{{Zatanna}}), Blue Eagle (ComicBook/{{Hawkman}}), Nuke (ComicBook/{{Firestorm|DCComics}} and Captain Atom) and Skrullian Skymaster (ComicBook/MartianManhunter). Their Earth also has its own counterpart to the Legion of Doom/Secret Society of Supervillains, with characters like Master Menace (ComicBook/LexLuthor), Ape X (ComicBook/GorillaGrodd) and the Mink (ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}, complete with [[DatingCatwoman a similar relationship to Nighthawk]]).

* ComicBook/BlueMarvel can also be seen as an ACE to DC/Milestone's ComicBook/{{Icon}} as both are Superman substitutes who are black.

** Captain Marvel himself has what is considered a Marvel Comics Equivalent, not specifically due to similar powers or characterization but because Marvel Comics has [[NamesTheSame its own hero called]] [[ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}} Captain Marvel]]. (Fawcett's trademark to the name lapsed before DC got the character, so Marvel took advantage and DC had to rename their Marvel to Shazam.) Amalgam Comics merged them into a single character named Captain Marvel, while ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded the name coincidence]] by making both of them think, in unison, a "Captain Marvel, watch out!" warning. In 2019, both Capt Marvels had a film released, which caused confusion on some fronts.

* Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) of the [[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLA]] and [[ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}} Captain Marvel]][[IHaveManyNames / Photon / Spectrum]] (ComicBook/MonicaRambeau) of ComicBook/TheAvengers. Not only do both heroines sport [[LightEmUp light manipulation powers]] and black and white costumes, but Doctor Light was actually conceived as a black woman before George Perez and Marv Wolfman realized this would make her seem ''too'' similar to Monica.

** Captain Marvel himself has what is considered a Marvel Comics Equivalent, not specifically due to similar powers or characterization but because Marvel Comics has [[NamesTheSame its own hero called]] [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]]. (Fawcett's trademark to the name lapsed before DC got the character, so Marvel took advantage and DC had to rename their Marvel to Shazam.) Amalgam Comics merged them into a single character named Captain Marvel, while ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded the name coincidence]] by making both of them think, in unison, a "Captain Marvel, watch out!" warning. In 2019, both Capt Marvels had a film released, which caused confusion on some fronts.

* Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) of the [[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLA]] and [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]][[IHaveManyNames / Photon / Spectrum]] (ComicBook/MonicaRambeau) of ComicBook/TheAvengers. Not only do both heroines sport [[LightEmUp light manipulation powers]] and black and white costumes, but Doctor Light was actually conceived as a black woman before George Perez and Marv Wolfman realized this would make her seem ''too'' similar to Monica.

* DC's Rampage has a similar set of powers and origin to Marvel's Hulk. Some fans have also said that Doomsday is DC's Hulk equivalent in terms of power and appearance. Not to mention ComicBook/SolomonGrundy whose hulking form and stilted speech patterns significantly predates the Hulk's. And Loose Cannon (ComicBook/TheNew52 continuity has ''[[DecompositeCharacter two of them]]''). And ComicBook/TheNew52 Damage. DC really seems to be as fond of Hulk's analogues as Marvel is of Superman's.

** Bucky started off as a Timely Comics attempt to bottle the lightning success of the Boy Wonder, Dick Grayson. Bucky took over as Captain America after he died in ''ComicBook/CivilWar'', bringing his own methods to the role. Dick would do the same a year later when Bruce Wayne died in ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis''. After faking he was "killed" in ''ComicBook/FearItself'', Bucky went on to continue his black ops spy work with ComicBook/BlackWidow, in his own ''Winter Soldier'' ongoing series. Years later, Dick would also ditch his costumed identity, Nightwing, to become a black ops spy with a hot lady partner after he was supposedly "killed" in ''ComicBook/ForeverEvil''.

* ''ComicBook/SquadronSupreme'' is Marvel's direct take off of DC's ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica''. Roy Thomas explicitly created them to [[SpiritualCrossover do Avengers/Justice League team-ups and face-offs without having to negotiate for the rights]]. (Ironically, at first the Avengers fought evil versions of them called the Squadron Sinister, who were moreso an A.C.E. of DC's own evil Justice League the Crime Syndicate.) The most famous incarnation comes from Earth-712 in the Marvel Multiverse, which is effectively [[CastOfExpies lousy with A.C.E.s from DC]]. The central cast includes Hyperion (Franchise/{{Superman}}), Nighthawk (Franchise/{{Batman}}), Power Princess (Franchise/WonderWoman), Doctor Spectrum (Franchise/GreenLantern), the Whizzer (Franchise/TheFlash), Amphibian (ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}), Tom Thumb (ComicBook/TheAtom), Lady Lark aka Skylark (ComicBook/BlackCanary), Golden Archer (ComicBook/GreenArrow), Arcanna (ComicBook/{{Zatanna}}), Blue Eagle (ComicBook/{{Hawkman}}), Nuke (ComicBook/{{Firestorm}} and Captain Atom) and Skrullian Skymaster (ComicBook/MartianManhunter). Their Earth also has its own counterpart to the Legion of Doom/Secret Society of Supervillains, with characters like Master Menace (ComicBook/LexLuthor), Ape X (ComicBook/GorillaGrodd) and the Mink (ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}, complete with [[DatingCatwoman a similar relationship to Nighthawk]]).

** ''ComicBook/KurtBusieksAvengers'' is this to ''ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsJLA''. Both are runs that would go back to basics after periods considered {{dork age}}s (The latter part of the ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' period for the League, stories like ''ComicBook/TheCrossing'' and ''ComicBook/HeroesRebornTheAvengers'' for the Avengers), both started with line-ups that hearken back to classic ones. ''JLA'' starting as a reunion of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter, with Wally West and Kyle Rayner replacing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively as the Flash and Green Lantern present; ''Avengers'' starting off with Captain America, Iron Man (complete with it being the original, adult Tony Stark), Thor, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and Ms. Marvel (albeit going by "Warbird" at the time), and being joined by Justice and Firestar as reservists initially, and both are regarded as highlights of their respective teams. Following this train of thought, the mid-90s ''Avengers'' and ''Justice League'' runs that led to such relaunches being necessary in the first place could be seen as counterparts, especially with the emphasis on C and D-list heroes that wound up being jettisoned once Morrison and Busiek took over (characters like Comicbook/BlueDevil, Crimson Fox, Nuklon, Obsidian and Icemaiden at DC, and ComicBook/BlackKnight, [[Comicbook/TheEternals Sersi]], [[Comicbook/TheInhumans Crystal]] and Deathcry at Marvel).

* DC's SelfDemonstrating/{{Lobo}} is an obvious parody of the gritty NinetiesAntiHero (though he first appeared in the eighties), while his powers are specific parodies of Marvel's ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}. Lobo himself was parodied in Marvel when ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} meets up with a very similar character named "Dirty Wolff". The circle came 'round again when Marvel came up with Lunatik, an [[UpToEleven even more over-the-top]] (if that can be believed) parody of Lobo. It should be noted that both characters were created by the same person, and Lobo is actually a DecompositeCharacter of the former (the other half went into ComicBook/AmbushBug). Lobo also has another equivalent in Creator/RobLiefeld's Bloodwulf. Of course, ''all'' of Liefeld's characters are stupidly overmuscled grizzled anti-heroes - this time he just meant it as a joke. The cover of the first issue of his comic features Bloodwulf smiling menacingly as Lobo's limp body hangs from his own chain, by the way. And the second issue features a cameo by Lobo as a drunken has-been.