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1* According to some accounts, ComicBook/ElongatedMan was created because there were doubts as to whether Creator/DCComics owned ComicBook/PlasticMan, despite ostensibly acquiring all of Quality Comics' (Plastic Man's original publisher) assets. Quality Comics characters' legal status was murky, however. Ironically, Plastic Man turned out to be one of the few Quality characters DC Comics actually owned outright. Artist and co-creator Carmine Infantino plausibly [[WordOfGod contradicts]] the above theory, however. He started as a one-off rival to ComicBook/TheFlash, and wasn't expected to be an important ongoing character. Infantino also says he wasn't consciously thinking of Plastic Man at the time, though "It must have been in the back of my mind. I loved Jack Cole's work, so it had to be in my mind, maybe instinctively."[[note]]''Carmine Infantino: Penciler, Publisher, Provocateur'' (2010 book)[[/note]]
2** ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]'' {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this when Elongated Man points out he's basically what Plastic Man would be if he was a detective. In one episode, he's relegated to crowd control, as Plastic Man is already fighting the monster [[TheUnseen off-screen]], and, as ComicBook/GreenLantern tells him, "We don't need ''two'' stretchy guys."
3** Parodied further on ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', in which the two of them are incredibly competitive with each other, to the point that an argument over who Batman prefers as a partner causes the criminal they're chasing to almost get away. After cleaning up their mess, Bats settles the matter by saying "[[TakeAThirdOption Actually,]] [[IWorkAlone I prefer to work alone.]]"
4** The difference ''does'' get pointed out by Ralph that Plas is the jokester ex-con. Elongated Man is the ex-police detective. Also, one's powers are inherent, while Ralph has to drink a special formula to gain his powers.
5*** The alleged influence Plas had on Ralph's creation is lampshaded, with Plas calling Elongated Man a "D-list doppleganger".
6** When Elongated Man first joined the Justice League, he wore a red costume with a black V-neck and yellow belt, rather than the more familiar purple outfit Infantino had given him.
7** In ''ComicBook/TheDarkKnightStrikesAgain'', the two are shown to have something of a rivalry. However, there are clearer distinctions. This issue makes it clear that Plastic Man is the stronger of the two (being able to morph his body into anything while also stretching), but Elongated Man has the advantage of still being sane, unlike Plastic Man, who was stuck in the shape of a silly putty container for years until Batman literally punched sense into him.
8*** Heck, this issue showed that Batman was wary of Plastic Man, even indicating that Plas could've killed them all if he wanted.
9* Zauriel was created by Creator/GrantMorrison and Creator/MarkMillar as a stand-in for Characters/{{Hawkman}}, who had been {{retcon}}ned so badly that [[ContinuitySnarl/{{Hawkman}} he was unusable]]. Morrison made it a point to lampshade this so readers would get the point, too. The first time he sees Zauriel, ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} momentarily mistakes him for Hawkman[[note]]"Katar?"[[/note]]. Later on, Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} invites him to join, saying, "there's always room in the Justice League for, well...a big guy with wings like you." At one point, he and the then-new Hawkgirl Kendra Saunders bumped into each other when they flew.
10* In Creator/GrantMorrison's ''ComicBook/NewXMen'', theu introduced a character named Fantomex who is based on the classic pulp characters Literature/{{Fantomas}} and ComicBook/{{Diabolik}}.
11* For the ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' project Creator/AlanMoore was initially commissioned to incorporate the classic Creator/CharltonComics characters (which DC had just purchased) into the DC Universe. However, DC did not want to have several of the characters they had just bought killed off and/or rendered unusable, therefore, by mutual decision of the author and publisher, Captain Ersatzes replaced the original characters. Before being changed to Charlton, the plan was to use the MLJ/Archie heroes that DC had rights to at the time. Thus, many superheroes in Watchmen are Captain Ersatzes of Charlton heroes, or MLJ/Archie for the earlier generation:
12** Rorschach -> ComicBook/TheQuestion
13** Dr. Manhattan -> ComicBook/CaptainAtom
14** The Comedian -> Peacemaker (with some elements of The Shield in his patriotic theme)
15** Nite Owl -> ComicBook/BlueBeetle II (Ted Kord)
16** Ozymandias -> Thunderbolt
17** Silk Spectre -> [[http://www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/09moore.html Nightshade/Black Canary/Phantom Lady]]
18** Mothman -> The Fly
19** Hooded Justice -> The Hangman
20** Captain Metropolis -> The Shield
21** Silhouette -> The Black Witch (a.k.a. Darkling)
22** Dollar Bill -> The Comet (one of the first superheroes to die)
23** Silk Spectre I -> Fly Girl
24** Nite Owl I -> ComicBook/BlueBeetle I (Dan Garrett), and/or The Black Hood (similar costumes)
25** The Comedian -> The Web (similar costumes, and The Web's domineering wife is reversed as an attempted rape)
26* Moore loves this trope and reuses it in ''ComicBook/{{Providence}}'', his Lovecraft meta-origin story. Most Lovecraft characters, as well as locations such as Arkham, are renamed. The exceptions so far are Robert Suydam and Thomas Malone from ''The Horror at Red Hook''. Moore is not dealing with copyright issues, as Lovecraft has lapsed into public domain (as shown by Cthulhu commonly appearing in horror work). Instead it appears that Moore is suggesting that in-universe Lovecraft took the characters and locations depicted and wrote about them in his stories, merely changing their names. However Moore could not do this with Suydam and Malone as they were already named in "Neonomicon", so he used their original Lovecraftian names.
27** Doctor Muñoz from ''Cool Air'' is Dr. Alvarez, Obed Marsh from Innsmouth is Jack Boggs and the Marsh Refinery is likewise renamed as the Boggs Refinery. The Whatelys from "The Dunwich Horror" are now the Wheatleys. Dr. Herbert West becomes Dr. Hector North, Asenath and Ephraim Waite become Elspeth and Edgar Wade, Keziah Mason becomes Hezekiah Massey, Richard Upton Pickman is Ronald Underwood Pitman and Randolph Carter is now Randall Carver. The Church of Starry Wisdom becomes the Order of Stella Sapiente.
28** In the case of locations, Moore simply transplants the fictional locations used in Lovecraft's prose to the real-life equivalents cited by Lovecraft himself as his inspiration for the renamed landscapes in his works (with letters citing the inspiration printed on the back cover of each issue). Innsmouth is Salem, Arkham is Manchester, Dunwich is Athol. Miskatonic University is now the real-life [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Anselm_College Saint Anselm's College]] whose exterior facade is accurately reproduced in the book.
29* Creator/MarvelComics' [[Characters/MarvelComicsDeadpool Deadpool]] (a.k.a. Wade Wilson) was originally a CaptainErsatz of Creator/DCComics' [[Characters/{{Deathstroke}} Deathstroke the Terminator]] (a.k.a. Slade Wilson); co-creator Creator/RobLiefeld had previously worked with the original Deathstroke character during his term on the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' series. Deadpool quickly became a distinct character under the handling of various Marvel writers, to the point that all they really have in common now is being masked mercenary/assassins.
30** Later, at DC, long time Deadpool writer Joe Kelly paid tribute to this origin in ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman Annual #1'', where the Earth-3 counterpart of Deathstroke appeared as a thinly-disguised version of Deadpool, who was always interrupted before he could finish telling people his name. The comic was also drawn by Ed [=McGuiness=], who worked on Deadpool's solo series for a very long time, beginning with the very first issue.
31** Years after that, former Deadpool writer Jimmy Palmiotti created a similar character named Red Tool in ''ComicBook/HarleyQuinn''. The character was seemingly created in response to the popularity of Deadpool and Harley as a CrackPairing.
32** When Liefeld was dismissed from the ComicBook/HeroesReborn ComicBook/CaptainAmerica series, he decided to re-use the unpublished art as a reprise of Joe Simon's character [[CaptainPatriotic Fighting American]], but licensing delays led to the interim creation of ''Agent America''. He had some legal trouble from Marvel for his Fighting American series; namely FA was way, ''way'' too much like Cap, even having a round shield that he would throw. Liefeld had to be content with a Fighting American who did ''not'' throw his shield.
33** Liefeld also created ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'', a superhero team whose character lineup was based on the ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' spin-off he proposed while working for DC Comics. Creator/AlanMoore then used the ''[[ComicBook/YoungbloodJudgmentDay Judgment Day]]'' crossover event to transform ''Youngblood'' into a pastiche of the ''original'' ComicBook/TeenTitans in the same way as his ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'' pastiched [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] ''Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}''.
34** Other Liefeld [[CaptainErsatz ersatzes]] include:
35*** New Men -> ComicBook/XMen
36*** New Force -> ComicBook/XForce ''(original also created by Liefeld, mostly from characters created by others)''
37*** Doom's IV -> ComicBook/FantasticFour
38*** Roy [[SdrawkcabName Roman]] -> [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor the Sub-Mariner]]
39*** Badrock -> Characters/TheThing
40*** Shaft -> [[ComicBook/GreenArrow Arsenal/Red Arrow]]
41*** Niko -> [[Characters/TeenTitansCheshire Cheshire]]
42*** Glory -> Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}
43*** Bloodwulf -> ComicBook/{{Lobo}}
44*** Battlestone -> [[Characters/MarvelComicsCable Cable]] ''(original also created by Liefeld)''
45*** Vogue -> Characters/{{Domino|MarvelComics}} ''(original also created by Liefeld)''
46* Creator/MarkMillar's ''ComicBook/{{Wanted}}''. Originally it was a Legion of Doom Reboot and got shut down. So Mark Miller made it DarkerAndEdgier and changed the names. It's really obvious who most of the characters are supposed to be.
47* Thirteen-year-old nerdy orphan who lives with an aunt and uncle, Billy Farmer gets scratched by a radioactive leopard. He begins to gain powers like those of a big cat, speed, strength, agility, night vision and a 'Leopard Sense' that tingles in the presence of danger. He takes to wearing a leotard in leopard spots and crime fighting as Leopard Boy/Leopard Man/''ComicBook/TheLeopardFromLimeStreet'' (series title). Actually a very good ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' rip-off with a British setting and nicely altered characters and powers.
48* In the 50s, when British publisher L. Miller ran out of ''[[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]]'' stories to reprint, he commissioned Mick Anglo to create a similar superhero, ''Marvelman'' (known in America as ''ComicBook/{{Miracleman}}''). Due to the exceptional quality of these stories (particularly Alan Moore's 1980s revival), Marvelman/Miracleman became a beloved character in his own right.
49* In ''ComicBook/{{Zenith}}: Phase III'', Creator/GrantMorrison used thinly veiled versions of characters owned by ''ComicBook/TwoThousandAD'''s rival comic publishers. Those he could actually get the rights to just appeared as themselves.
50* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
51** The original ''Series/DoctorWho'' comic strips didn't have the rights to the Daleks at first, so they used similar enemies called Trods. Eventually the company did get the rights to use the Daleks, so they took advantage of it by creating a storyline in which the Daleks EX-TER-MIN-ATE the Trods!
52** The original comics also didn't have the rights to use the real companions, only the character of the Doctor. Thus, John and Gillian were introduced, a pair of [[RidiculouslyAverageGuy Ridiculously Generic Grandchildren]], both of whom were modeled slightly after the Doctor's canon grandchild Susan but both of whom were also younger and LighterAndSofter (and significantly duller as a result).
53** The Trod situation and the companion situation were parodied in an Eighth Doctor strip pastiching these original comic strips, in which the Eighth Doctor and his grandchildren John and Gillian battle [[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923004625/http://www.alteredvistas.co.uk/assets/images/Eighth133.jpg ridiculous, vaguely Dalek-shaped monsters]] called Wargonns. {{Deconstructed|Trope}} when we realise the adventure is AllJustADream in which the Doctor is fantasising about a happy life.
54** The TV Comics Magazine strips had rights to use likenesses of the companions, but would occasionally find themselves contending with companions leaving while the strips were being drawn (or when rerunning a Second or Third Doctor strip with the Doctor retouched to resemble the current incumbent to save money). Examples include Sarah Jane and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart being converted into the identical "Joan Brown" and "Colonel Maxwell-Lennon" for one story, and "Miss Young", a miniskirt-wearing companion who has Leela's overly-formal speech patterns and attempts to kill people with knives.
55** Creator/MarvelComics also created eccentric time-traveler [[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/jagamble.htm Professor Gamble]] and his enemies, the marauding robot army of [[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/incinerators.htm Incinerators]], Ersatzes (Ersatzii?) of ''Doctor Who'''s Doctor and the Daleks respectively, with {{Shout Out}}s galore. Rather odd, since Marvel UK published ''Doctor Who'' comics at the time, ''and'' the Doctor had already interacted with mainstream Franchise/MarvelUniverse characters.
56** Possibly FridgeBrilliance when you take into account that the Doctor Who characters were only licensed and so integrating The Doctor into the Marvel Universe to that degree would be problematic if the license was revoked or expired (as eventually happened). Allowing The Doctor to interact briefly with Marvel Universe characters on his own turf limited the damage to reprinting and trade paperbacks (as once the BBC license was gone, those books could not be legally reprinted by Marvel -- headaches that Marvel had already experienced with expired Toho and Takara licenses by that time). Also, the BBC might have tried to exercise veto power over any characterization of The Doctor were he to appear in mainstream Marvel comics.
57* Nearly all the (non-series-star) characters in ''ComicBook/{{Planetary}}'' were created as Captains Ersatz of some existing character or trope, simply so the Planetary team could interact with visitors from many continuities.
58** Notably, the evil Captain Ersatzes of the ComicBook/FantasticFour are the {{Big Bad}}s, on a quest to [[ReedRichardsIsUseless keep the mysteries of the world mysterious]] and willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
59* Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} has [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] (now an inhabitant of the same comics universe[[note]]at least partially because CM's original publisher, Fawcett, lost a lawsuit to DC over the similarity between the two characters[[/note]]), Mister Majestic (who has actually met Superman and briefly replaced him), and ComicBook/{{Supreme}}. In the MMORPG ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'', Statesman occupies this role. Tabletop RPG versions include The Sentinel (Silver Age Sentinels), Protonik (Mutants & Masterminds, 1e), Axiom (Villains & Vigilantes), and the Centurion (M&M 2e).
60** [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] actually had his own Captain Ersatz: Superman #276 pitched Kal-El up against Captain Thunder, who ticked all the same boxes. Just to hammer the point home, Thunder's secret identity was Willie Fawcett. Many fans saw this as a trial run by DC before they reintroduced the real Captain Marvel to continuity.
61** Also the Samaritan from ''ComicBook/AstroCity''.
62** Statesman actually gets double points for being basically a [[CompositeCharacter Fusion]] of Superman and [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]]. With a little [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] thrown in for backstory.
63** Then there is Plutonian (Tony) from ''ComicBook/{{Irredeemable}}''. The final issue heavily implies that the relationship is reversed and that Tony is actually the inspiration for Superman.
64*** There are several Ersatz in Irredeemable, much like with Watchmen. More notable ones include the Hornet (Batman), Gilgamos (Hawkman), Orian (Mxyztplk), Modeus (Brainiac), and Alana Patel (Lois Lane).
65** There is also Alpha One from ''ComicBook/TheMighty'' who has all of Superman's powers. He even has a secret headquarters.
66** Creator/MilestoneComics' ComicBook/{{Icon}} is also something of a WhatIf Superman ("What if Superman's rocket crashed in the Deep South circa 1840... and he was black?")
67** Blue Marvel is another WhatIf Superman ("What if Superman were a black man in the 1960s?"), complete with his own Fortress of Solitude-like HomeBase.
68** An unofficial action figure example is Captain Ray, AKA: El Capitan Rayo, which was basically a series of Superman action figures from the DC Superheroes Collection, repainted to be a new character when imported to Colombia (the red boots and trunks were repainted to be yellow and the famous S-insignia was replaced with a Flash Gordon style lightning bolt insignia).
69** The Anchor of Justice in ''ComicBook/TheShadowHero'' is a Superman Ersatz who acts as the hero's inspiration, right down to [[spoiler:secretly being an alien, although a less humanoid one than Kal-El]].
70** Atlas from ''ComicBook/{{PS238}},'' though he starts to undergo DerivativeDifferentiation whenever he comes in focus. For one, [[spoiler:he and the Lois Lane counterpart divorce]]; and then later, he discovers that [[spoiler:he's a HiddenBackupPrince, not the LastOfHisKind]].
71** ''WesternAnimation/{{Young Justice|2010}}'' {{lampshade|Hanging}}s Superman's abundance of Ersatzes:
72--->'''Superman:''' "I nominate Icon for League membership."\
73'''Green Arrow:''' "Why? Because you think he might be Kryptonian, like you did with Captain Marvel?"
74** [[ComicBook/AllStarSquadron Iron Munro]] is basically the Golden Age Superman (though he's supposedly a descendent of [[Literature/{{Gladiator}} Hugo Danner]] in a DevelopmentGag) with Doc Savage's design, as he was explicitly created to fill the gap in the team when Superman became unusable.
75** Along with Mister Majestic above, Creator/{{Wildstorm}} also boasts The High (Superman if he got burnt out on superheroing and decided to take more drastic measures to change the world) and Apollo (same powerset and power source, same role in the team, and he's close to a Batman expy... namely, his husband). Ironically, it's considered a CrapsackWorld.
76** Marvel has no fewer than ''four'' Ersatz Supermans:
77*** Hyperion is the most obvious, being basically "Superman, but evil".
78*** Gladiator is the alien champion of the Shiar Empire, with a power set that closely mimics Superman's, but whose power level fluctuates based on how confident he is (a nod to Superman's tendency to be "strong as he needs to be").
79*** Characters/TheSentry is a seemingly unmatched powerhouse... but also a neurotic ''mess'' who ultimately gave up on superheroics because his shattered mind couldn't handle the strain.
80*** Finally, the most obscure of them all is Wundarr, a pastiche of Superboy/Golden Age Superman who first debuted in in a ''ComicBook/ManThing'' story. Like Superman, Wundarr is a {{Human Alien|s}} who was rocketed to Earth by his parents to escape the destruction of his homeworld (by a supernova, rather than a destabilized core)... except his parents were mistaken and nothing actually happened to his homeworld, and because the pod landed in Man-Thing's swamp, he spent 23 years trapped inside of it, emerging as a [[ManChild superpowered young adult with the mind of a baby]]. His home planet is even called "Dakkam", which resembles the name of the planet Daxam -- a DC planet whose denizens gain Superman-like powers (but allergic to lead, rather than Kryptonite) when exposed to solar radiation.
81* The entirety of ''ComicBook/BigBangComics'' is like this, being a pastiche of [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] and [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] comics from... well, mainly DC. So read about the adventures of Ultiman (Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}), the Knight Watchman and Kid Galahad (Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} and Characters/{{Robin}}), Venus (Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}), the Blitz (ComicBook/TheFlash), the Beacon (ComicBook/GreenLantern), the Atomic Sub (ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}), etc. This is lampshaded in DC's ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'', where Ultiman is seen as a member of the team of cross-dimensional Supermen.
82** Mr. US is unique among Big Bang characters for a) being based on a Marvel character, Captain America, and b) being used to ''satirize'' comics rather than celebrate them.
83** In the last issue of the Creator/ImageComics run, Big Bang's Round Table of America faced off against 1963's Tomorrow Syndicate -- essentially Ersatz DC vs Ersatz Marvel.
84* ''ComicBook/HackSlash'' has sometimes included flashback panels of old enemies who haven't appeared in the actual comic yet, many of whom are [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet very]] [[Franchise/FridayThe13th recognisable]]. The slasher "X-O", who makes a more substantial appearance, is very clearly a hybrid of [[Franchise/{{Hellraiser}} Pinhead]] and [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Victor Zsasz]]. Also, the "Wunderkind" superhero comic that exists within the story is clearly a stand-in for ''[[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]]'', probably fictionalised because of the [[LoonyFan unflattering depiction]] of its fans.
85* Though she didn't start off as such, Hippolyta (aka Warrior Woman) was made into an Ersatz of Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}} in ''ComicBook/FearlessDefenders''.
86* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', most of the characters -- hero, villain, or otherwise -- are directly or indirectly based on more established comic book characters, depending on the needs of the story. Justified in that the series as a whole examines, deconstructs, and reconstructs longstanding superhero tropes, which are not limited to a single company's character.
87** Of particular note are the Samaritan (Superman), Winged Victory (Wonder Woman), the Silver Agent (Captain America), and the First Family (the Fantastic Four).
88** Some characters have multiple ''Astro City'' counterparts to represent different aspects of the character: Batman has analogues in the Confessor (brooding night vigilante with a young sidekick), Leopardman (animal theme, and rumored to be a millionaire with a butler), and Black Rapier (the world's greatest detective and black-clad BadassNormal).
89** Astro City itself has its own Captain Ersatz in Earth-34 of the main DC [[TheMultiverse multiverse]], which has a city called Cosmoville and characters such as Savior (Samaritan), Herculina (Winged Victory), Cutie (Beautie), etc. Yes, that does make Earth-34 an expy of an already expy-heavy setting. Thank Creator/GrantMorrison.
90* [[Characters/HellblazerJohnConstantine John Constantine]] has a Captain Ersatz, Willoughby Kipling, who appeared in the ComicBook/DoomPatrol in the early nineties. Willoughby was a foul tempered, drinking, smoking KnightTemplar.
91** Yet another in-universe Captain Ersatz is Ambrose Bierce (no relation to the author) from ComicBook/StanleyAndHisMonster. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in the book where he's immediately mistaken for John Constantine and remarks that there are dozens of trenchcoated, ill-shaven urban paranormalists in the world.
92** What a coincidence, ''ComicBook/{{Excalibur|MarvelComics}}'s'' Pete Wisdom fits the same description, and was created by Creator/WarrenEllis, who later worked on ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}''.
93** In another coincidence, Literature/FelixCastor has a tremendous resemblance to John Constantine, and was created by Creator/MikeCarey, who had earlier worked on ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}''.
94** [[Literature/TheDresdenFiles Harry Dresden]] also uses many tropes identical to John Constantine (see TrenchCoatBrigade), and was created 15 years after John's first appearance by a fan of 80s and 90s comics.
95* The Marvel {{Retcon}} series ''ComicBook/MarvelTheLostGeneration'' includes an ersatz Batman called Black Fox (millionaire playboy Dr. Robert Paine) with an ElaborateUndergroundBase called the "Fox Hole", a plane called the Flying Fox, a former KidSidekick, etc. His sidekick grew up and teamed up with the empathic healer Nightingale, a Captain Ersatz of ''ComicBook/TeenTitans''' [[Characters/TeenTitansNewTeenTitans Raven]].
96* Creator/JackKirby created ComicBook/TheEternals as deliberate Captains Ersatz of the Gods of [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]] and several other pantheons, with the idea that their adventures had "inspired the myths". For example, Makkari inspired Mercury, Ikaris inspired Icarus, Phastos inspired Hephestus...
97** Which became interesting when the Eternals, who originally did not interact with other Marvel heroes, became part of Marvel canon, which includes the Greek gods and [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHercules Hercules]]...
98** Which is the reason for the eventual retcon that they were ''confused'' with the gods they resemble; Gilgamesh the Forgotten One even accidentally performed one of Hercules' Twelve Labors for him (the Aegian Stables, fyi)
99* It's been established that as a child, [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]] used to listen to a radio serial about the Midnight Racer, a BadassNormal pulp hero whose sidekick was an Asian chauffeur/martial artist. [[Radio/TheGreenHornet Sound familiar?]]
100* The Shi'ar Imperial Guard, introduced in ''X-Men'' vol. 1 #107, began as an ersatz ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes. Electron is Cosmic Boy, Hobgoblin is Chameleon, Smasher is Ultra Boy, etc. Not surprising that writer Creator/ChrisClaremont and artist Dave Cockrum would do this, since Cockrum had become famous drawing the Legion for DC before he co-created the All-New, All-Different X-Men (he had in fact offered Nightcrawler as a potential Legionnaire before, only to have him rejected as too weird-looking). In particular there is a strong resemblance between Superman (or the pre-Crisis Superboy) and his expy Gladiator, which was lampshaded by naming him after the novel that is generally believed to have inspired the creation of Superman, and who eventually got the real name "Kallark" (sounds like "Clark" ''and'' Kal-El, doesn't it?). The Gladiator also has a similar chest insignia and costume, but his powers are psycho-active ([[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve he can only do something if he believes he can]]) and he has purple skin and a huge mohawk.
101** In later stories, the Imperial Guard was expanded with members who do not have an equivalent in the Legion, e.g. Hussar and Cerise.
102*** Interestingly, the postboot Legion featured Gates, who may be an ersatz of an Imperial Guardsman who didn't have a clear Legion parallel previously.
103*** Proceeding from the fact that the Imperial Guard were originally enemies of the ''ComicBook/XMen'', some fans like to think that they arguably work as a deconstruction of the Superman mythos. They show what it might have been like if, instead of landing on Earth, Kal-El had wound up in some autocratic, politically unstable Alien empire where he was made to serve whatever ruler sat on the throne. Without Superman's moral center, Gladiator's just a blindly obedient thug. Or big on HonorBeforeReason, depending on the writer (obeying his oath to the Shi'ar throne even when he ''knows'' the current emperor is insane and ''wants'' to do something about it). Although since the Imperial Guard appeared for ages without origins etc., [[FanWank that may be going a bit far]].
104* ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'''s entire universe is a tribute to DC's [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]]. Supreme is Superman, Supremium is Kryptonite, Suprema is Characters/{{Supergirl|TheCharacter}}, Professor Night is Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}, Twilight is Characters/{{Robin}}, Darius Dax is [[Characters/SupermanLexLuthor Lex Luthor]], Diana Dane is [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]], Emerpus and Shadow Supreme are [[Characters/SupermanBizarro Bizarro]], Glory is Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}, Doc Rocket is ComicBook/TheFlash, Black Hand is the ComicBook/GreenLantern, Roy Roman is ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, Mighty Man is [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]], the Fisherman is the ComicBook/GreenArrow...
105* While we're at it we should talk about Mighty Man; he was created by Erik Larsen as an ersatz "Shazam!" Captain Marvel. Besides being a supporting character in ''ComicBook/SavageDragon'', he appeared as the Captain Marvel equivalent in both ''Supreme'' and ''Big Bang Comics'' -- despite Big Bang having already established Thunder Girl as a less-direct analogue for CM. Big Bang also used him as an ersatz ''[[Characters/MarvelComicsMarvels Captain Mar-Vell]]'' in one issue, interestingly enough.
106* ComicBook/TheAvengers fought an entire team composed of Captain Ersatzes called the ComicBook/SquadronSupreme, a thinly veiled AlternateCompanyEquivalent of the ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica. The members of the Squadron are:
107** '''Hyperion''' -- Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}
108** '''Nighthawk''' -- Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}
109** '''Whizzer''' – ComicBook/TheFlash
110** '''Doctor Spectrum''' -- ComicBook/GreenLantern
111*** This was part of a joint effort on DC and Marvel's part though, seeing as the JLA has faced off against a group of Ersatzes of [[ComicBook/TheAvengers Marvel's finest]]:
112** '''Silver Sorceress''' -- Characters/ScarletWitch
113** '''Blue Jay''' -- [[Characters/AntManHeroes Yellowjacket]]
114** '''Wandjina''' -- [[Characters/MarvelComicsThorOdinson Thor]]
115** '''Jack B. Quick''' -- [[Characters/MarvelComicsQuicksilver Quicksilver]]
116** '''Bowman''' -- [[Characters/MarvelComicsClintBarton Hawkeye]]
117** '''TA''' -- Characters/TheWasp
118** '''Tin Man''' -- ComicBook/IronMan
119
120*** Later we would see more in the Squadron's own comic:
121** '''Amphibian''' -- Characters/{{Aquaman|TheCharacter}}
122** '''Power Princess ''' -- Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}
123** '''Skrullian Skymaster ''' -- ComicBook/MartianManhunter
124** '''Arcanna ''' -- Characters/{{Zatanna}}
125** '''Blue Eagle ''' -- ComicBook/{{Hawkman}}
126** '''Golden Archer''' -- ComicBook/GreenArrow
127** '''Lady Lark''' -- Characters/BlackCanary
128** '''Nuke''' -- ComicBook/{{Firestorm|DCComics}}
129** '''Tom Thumb''' -- ComicBook/TheAtom
130** '''Shape''' -- ComicBook/PlasticMan
131*** This connection gets a gigantic LampshadeHanging in ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'', where after spending a few minutes going "Who do these guys remind me of?", Hawkeye finally declares the JLA to be Squadron Supreme wannabes.
132*** ''ComicBook/AvengersNoSurrender'' adds Victory to the original Squadron Sinister lineup, who not only shares Triumph's costume and powers, and has a synonymous name, but even shares his "founding member of the team wiped from history" backstory.
133* Buck Wild from [[Creator/MilestoneComics Milestone's]] ''ComicBook/{{Icon}}'' is a Captain Ersatz of ''several'' different characters. His original costume and powers are clearly based on Characters/LukeCage, he later wore a suit to fly and teamed up with a patriotic hero like [[Characters/CaptainAmericaHeroes The Falcon]], got a special belt that gave him the power to shoot electricity like ComicBook/BlackLightning, and then finally became a grim soul avenger like ComicBook/{{Spawn}}.
134* Pretty much every villain faced by DC's ''Inferior Five'' is a Captain Ersatz of a character from a rival publisher. The evil agents of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. are based on the ''ComicBook/THUNDERAgents'', the Kooky Quartet on the ComicBook/FantasticFour (with the nickname given to the Avengers after their first big roster shakeup), etc. Their version of Thor even mentions a comic book deal with a guy named Creator/{{Stan|Lee}}ley, though he has to shave his beard off and bleach his hair blond first… Not to mention the [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica Freedom Brigade]], the parents of the Five themselves: Merryman (son of [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica The Patriot]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_America_%28DC_Comics%29 Lady Liberty]]), Awkwardman (son of [[Characters/SupermanTheCharacter Mr. Might]] and [[ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} The Mermaid]]), Dumb Bunny (daughter of [[Characters/WonderWomanTheCharacter Power Princess]]), The Blimp (son of [[ComicBook/TheFlash Captain Swift]]) and White Feather (son of [[ComicBook/GreenArrow The Bowman]]).
135* Characters/{{Black Cat|MarvelComics}} is often thought to be a knock-off of Characters/{{Catwoman|SelinaKyle}} due to their extremely similar costumes and motifs, as well as their [[DatingCatwoman forbidden romances with superheroes]]. However, there is a good deal of debate about this. Black Cat was conceived as a foe for [[Characters/SpiderWomanTitleCharacter Spider-Woman]], and Catwoman did not start wearing her iconic black leather outfit in the comics themselves until the 80's, long after Black Cat debuted. It must be noted, however, that Catwoman actually did wear such an outfit in [[Series/Batman1966 the popular television show from the 1960's]]. Whatever the case, the Black Cat as conceived for ''ComicBook/SpiderWoman'' had little in common with the one that saw light in ''Amazing Spider-Man'' -- she was supposed to be an outright heroine dressed in a 1930s style costume and a hat. When Felicia Hardy -- a cat-burglar infatuated with Spider-Man -- appeared, it seemed everybody except her creator Marv Wolfman saw the strong resemblance to Catwoman.
136* The Ultramarine Corps in ''JLA Classified'' were light Ersatzes of ComicBook/TheAvengers and other miscellaneous Marvel heroes. The Olympian had power from the gods but was a little nutty (Thor), Goraiko is a giant atomic monster (Hulk), Warmaker-One is an uber-patriot who only exists inside a high tech exoskeleton (Captain America/Iron Man), the Glob is a BoisterousBruiser who calls himself "ever-lovin'" (The Thing), etc.
137* Loose Cannon, one of the heroes introduced in DC's much maligned ''Bloodlines'' event (although he was actually one of the better ones), is a strong Ersatz for the Hulk, in that his power is connected directly to his anger, he's incredibly bulky and brawny, and lacks a certain intelligence. Loose Cannon's only original hook is that he has different stages of power, and his skin color changes as he climbs his little rage ladder.
138* The ''Flashback Universe'' is all about this for classic Marvel. Saturn Knight is Nova, Wildcard is Spider-Man, Fantom Force is the Fantastic Four, Lady Nemo is Dr. Doom, Terrorsaur Rex is the Hulk, Prometheus is Thor, Paladin is Captain America, the Legion of Monsters are the X-Men, the Vanguard are the Avengers, the Sub-Terrainer is the Submariner...
139* Creator/JephLoeb had a thinly veiled Avengers team show up in Superman/Batman, called the Maximums (complete with a battle cry of "MAXIMUMS, MARCH!"). The name seems to specifically recall the Ultimates, whose comic, ironically enough, Loeb would go on to write.
140** Soldier -- Patriotic hero, counterpart of Captain America
141** Viking -- Nordic God, counterpart of Thor
142** Hornet -- Half-human half-insect flying heroine, counterpart of Wasp
143** Skyscraper -- Giant man in love with Hornet, counterpart of Giant-Man
144** Robot -- Conscious robot in a bulky iron-suit, counterpart of Iron Man
145** Bowman -- Archer, counterpart of Hawkeye
146** Wolfen -- Bestial wolfman with tiger stripes, counterpart of Wolverine
147** Bug -- Blue and red four-armed man, counterpart of Spider-Man
148** Monster -- Big creature with super-strength and ripped pants whose alter ego is weaker, counterpart of Hulk.
149** Their enemies are the Axis of Evil, based on the Masters of Evil: Godiva (Enchantress); Demise (Grim Reaper), Anihilate (Blastaar) and Rapier (Swordsman).
150** Another Ersatz mentioned only in passing by Bowman is [[Characters/MarvelComicsBuckyBarnes Lucky]], Soldier's son, who was apparently [[HilariousInHindsight the only superhero in their universe who stayed dead]].
151* AC Comics' ''ComicBook/{{Femforce}}'':
152** She Cat is based on [[ComicBook/BlackCatHarveyComics Harvey Comics' Black Cat]].
153** Nightveil/The Blue Bulleteer was originally the ComicBook/PhantomLady from Fox and Atlas Comics (the character was originally created for Quality, who did not contest the use by Fox, long story), but when Creator/DCComics claimed ownership they hastily changed tiny minuscule details like the name and the color of her costume. Yep, she is totally not Phantom Lady. To be fair, she eventually got magic powers and a new costume and became a totally distinct character (albeit an expy of ComicBook/{{Raven}}).
154** In a ''Blue Bulleteer'' one-shot, the Blue Bulleteer runs into another hero using the same name as her - this one an ersatz version of Creator/FawcettComics' Bulletman. It even featured a backup story starring the other BB, which was really just a slightly edited Golden Age Bulletman story.
155** Rio Rita is based on Senorita Rio from Fight Comics.
156** Stardust is a ScienceHero version of [[Characters/TeenTitansStarfire Starfire]].
157* ''Star Fems'', also by AC Comics, features the villainous Ralff the Ruthless, a parody of [[ComicStrip/FlashGordon Ming the Merciless]].
158* DC's Boss Bosozoku and his successor Boss Bishounen are both motorcyclists with heads on fire. ComicBook/GhostRider, right?
159** Possibly not, or at least not entirely; all the Big Science Action team appear to be based on ''Japanese'' tropes. On the other hand, his teammate Cosmo Racer is very blatantly the Characters/SilverSurfer (as well as being Manga/AstroBoy), so maybe.
160*** The ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'' art book specifically mentions ''Manga/{{Akira}}'' as an influence on Boss Bosozoku.
161** And while he doesn't resemble him much as a character, Big Atomic Lantern Boy's design is plainly based on Hayashida from ''Manga/CromartieHighSchool''.
162* The short-lived ''ComicBook/{{Mystique}}'' series featured a new breed of Sentinels that were designed [[http://www.evamonkey.com/images/omake_mystique_wizard.jpg as homages]] to [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Evangelion Unit 02]].
163* In ''ComicBook/TheIntimates'', Mr. Hyde is a clear Superman parallel; Hyde is actually his real name and a joke about Superman's obvious dual identity, he wears glasses and teaches the Secret Identity class, he's squeamish around reporters (it's his ex...), and has all the powers you'd expect. Most of the other seminary teachers are also ersatzen; the Principal used to be Mr. Big, a Giant Man type hero, while the school counselor was once Dash Man, an ersatz Flash. Interestingly, none of the main characters are ersatzen.
164* Dr. Everything, one of the Redeemer's patients in ''The Sinister Spider-Man'', is an obvious Dr. Manhattan parody. He's a statuesque naked physicist with incredible power and his body is entirely red, as opposed to Manhattan's blue.
165* ''Monster Plus'' features Supermane, who is basically Lion-Head Superman from that one [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] story involving red kryptonite.
166* One issue of ''ComicBook/XMan'' features an Expy of ComicBook/TheAuthority called the Protectorate: Niccola Zeitgeist (Jenny Sparks); Thor (Apollo); Nightfighter (Midnighter); Citydweller (Jack Hawksmoor) Professor X (the Doctor); White Bird (Swift); and the Technocrat (the Engineer.) Interestingly enough, many members of the Authority are themselves based off existing superheroes (Midnighter is Batman and Apollo is Superman), making this team Ersatzes of Ersatzes.
167* ''ComicBook/TopTen'' featured the Seven Sentinels, a clear takeoff on the Justice League with members like the Black Boomerang (Green Arrow), the Hound and Kingfisher (both Batman), Atoman (Superman), and Davy Jones (Aquaman).
168** And many other more minor ones, like Trent "Dr. Incredible" Teller (Mr. Fantastic) and his wife Beach Ball (Invisible Woman), the Skysharks (Blackhawks), etc. The Blue Dart is another Green Arrow ersatz, as well. Interestingly, none of the principal characters are Ersatzen except for maybe Jetman, who is based on Airboy and Hop Harrigan. (Toybox is arguably inspired by ''ComicBook/TheBeano'''s [[http://www.beano.com/retro-beano/general-jumbo General Jumbo]], but it'd be more accurate to call her father, Colonel Liliput, the CaptainErsatz.)
169* Marvel was almost going to let Creator/WarrenEllis use ComicBook/NickFury for his ComicBook/{{Nextwave}} series, [[https://lh3.ggpht.com/_M_dapy36XZ0/TQKib8pYZHI/AAAAAAAAASI/I5O8DIcib_c/s1600/nextwave.meat.big.jpg until they saw what he planned on doing with him.]] They dropped the eyepatch and changed the character to Dirk Anger: Agent of H.A.T.E. They also had The Dread Rorkannu, Ruler of the Dank Dimension, an {{expy}} of [[ComicBook/DoctorStrange Dormammu]].
170* Mark Waid's ''ComicBook/{{Empire}}'' features a "Dr. Doom esque" villain who conquers the world by defeating a Superman pastiche.
171* The characters of the Image miniseries ''Battlehymn'' form a clear and intentional parallel to [[ComicBook/TheInvadersMarvelComics the original Invaders]]. Quinn Rey is the Sub-Mariner (but also shares traits with Aquaman, the Fin, and the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Hydroman), the Proud American is Captain America, the Artificial Man is the Human Torch, the Defender of Liberty is ''also'' Captain America, but with a touch of the Patriot (Cap's counterpart on the homefront and replacement after he went missing), Johnny Zip is the Whizzer, and odd man out the Mid-Nite Hour is a combined Dr. Mid-Nite/Hourman/Batman, the only one to be based on DC characters.
172* Marvel's ''ComicBook/UltimateAdventures'' centered around Batman pastiche Hawk-Owl and his sidekick Woody. Accompanying them was Hawk-Owl's butler Daniel (Alfred). He also had an Asian chauffeur based on Radio/TheGreenHornet's Kato, and his Aunt Ruth is a combination of Aunt Harriet from the '60s Batman show and Spider-Man's Aunt May. And the Principal is a parody of the Joker and Two-Face.
173* ''Kill All Parents''' heroes are all strongly based on famous Marvel and DC guys. The list is long, but to give an example you have the Locust and Larva Lad standing in for Batman and Robin.
174* Every alleged "hero" that ComicBook/MarshalLaw finds himself up against is an Ersatz. The Public Spirit is Superman, the Private Eye is Batman, the Secret Tribunal blend elements of the X-Men and the Legion of Superheroes, the Jesus Society of America are the Justice Society of America (and include a Captain America-like [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Public Spirit), the heroes holed up in a Manhattan asylum are all based on Marvel characters (and for the most part go unnamed). Pat Mills described Marshall himself as an unholy fusion of [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]] and ComicBook/JudgeDredd.
175* ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'''s backstory features the Torch of Liberty, a thinly-disguised Captain America stand-in. Also Lobster Johnson (possibly his predecessor).
176* "Whatever Happened to the Green Pedestrian Palm?", a ''ComicBook/{{Thargs Future Shocks}}'' story, has a cast composed almost entirely of just-barely-veiled {{parod|y}}ies of American {{superhero}}es.
177** The Green Pedestrian Palm is blatantly ComicBook/GreenLantern; fittingly, a portrait of the real Green Lantern appears in the background of one panel. He's also heavily based on the Green Cross Man, a superhero created in TheSeventies to educate children how to safely cross the street.
178** Optimum is Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}
179** Hawkblade is Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}
180** Bathroom Buster is [[Characters/MarvelComicsMattMurdock Daredevil]]
181** The Rush is ComicBook/TheFlash
182** Captain Condom ([-yes, that is his superhero name-]) might be [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]]
183** Astrodeus is [[Characters/MarvelComicsGalactus Galactus]].
184* ComicBook/TheAuthority faced off against Ersatzes of classic Marvel heroes in Creator/MarkMillar's inaugural arc. The Americans were obviously Avengers pastiches with named ones being the Commander (Captain America), Tank Man (ComicBook/IronMan), Hornet (Wasp) and Titan (Giant Man) while the rest were clearly based on Thor, Hulk, ComicBook/BlackPanther, Characters/ScarletWitch, Hawkeye, and ComicBook/TheVision. Later, they took down unnamed Ersatz teams resembling the X-Men, ComicBook/TheInhumans, Fantastic Four (with additional Silver Surfer, Galactus, Watcher and H.E.R.B.I.E. knock-offs, all of which are most famously associated with the FF) and the Howling Commandos while other Wildstorm heroes fought Ersatzes of Spider-Man, [[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle the Punisher]], Daredevil, Characters/{{Elektra}}, Doctor Strange, Namor and others. The story's BigBad, Jacob Krigstein, was an evil ersatz Creator/JackKirby.
185** Authority members Apollo and Midnighter are themselves Captains Ersatz of Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} and Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}, respectively. They were first introduced as part of a Stormwatch strike team that included thinly-veiled takeoffs of Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}} (Amaze), ComicBook/TheFlash (Impetus), ComicBook/GreenLantern (Lamplighter), ComicBook/MartianManhunter (Stalker) and Characters/BlackCanary (Crow Jane).
186** Stormwatch also featured The Changers, who were based on ComicBook/{{J|usticeSocietyOfAmerica}}SA members and other sources, including The High (Superman), Blind (a hybrid of Doctor Mid-Nite with Creator/SteveDitko's later Objectivist heroes), The Doctor (ComicBook/DoctorFate), The Eidolon (ComicBook/TheSpectre and the Crow), The Engineer (Green Lantern), Rite (Wonder Woman), and Smoke (Sandman and the Shadow).
187** The Sons of Liberty, another group of Authority foes, are based on the ComicBook/{{Freedom Fighters|DCComics}}: Paul Revere (Uncle Sam), Maiden America (Miss America), Dyno-Mite the Human Hand Grenade (Doll Man with elements of the Human Bomb), Johnny Rocketman (the Ray), and Fallout (the remaining elements of the Human Bomb).
188* Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} himself is a CaptainErsatz of Franchise/{{Zorro}}: Rich playboys both missing mothers who decide to use their vast wealth to fight crime? Hell, Bob Kane himself admitted to it. There is in fact no attempt to hide this, as Batman watches a Zorro movie the night his parents die.
189* The original Guardians of the Globe in ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' are clearly based on the original ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica; the Red Rush is the Flash, War Woman is Wonder Woman, the Green Ghost is the Green Lantern, Martian Man is the Martian Manhunter, Darkwing is Batman, Aquarius is Aquaman, and the Immortal and Omniman are both Superman. They also had Black Samson, who seems to be based on Marvel's Doc Samson and ComicStrip/FlashGordon.
190** Damien Darkblood, Demon Detective, who is almost identical to Rorschach of ''Watchmen'' fame except slightly mellower.
191** And many of Invincible's minor enemies are based on Spider-Man foes. The Elephant is the Rhino, Doc Seismic is the Shocker, Kursk is Electro, etc.
192** And the Lizard League is a combination of ''Franchise/GIJoe'''s Cobra and Marvel's Serpent Society. Komodo Dragon in particular is based on the latter's Puff Adder.
193** A case could be made that the new Guardians of the Globe are CaptainErsatz for the Avengers. Monster Girl for Hulk, armoured Black Samson and Robot for Iron Man, Shrinking Ray for the Wasp, and Immortal could take the role of Captain America due to his suspicious appearance.
194* In Rick Veitch's ''ComicBook/BratPack'':
195** Moon Mistress is an expy of Characters/{{Wonder Woman|TheCharacter}}, being a heroine claiming to embody feminism with an alliterative codename (with Luna being the equivalent of Wonder Woman's sidekick ComicBook/WonderGirl.)
196** Judge Jury is a mix of [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle Frank Castle]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsLogan Wolverine]] by being a CaptainPatriotic KnightTemplar AntiHero (with Kid Vicious being a stand-in for Captain America's ward Bucky.)
197** Midnight Mink is an expy of Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} due to being a vigilante themed after a mammal who operates at night (with Chippy being the counterpart to Batman's sidekick Characters/{{Robin}}.)
198** King Rad is a hybrid of ComicBook/GreenArrow and ComicBook/IronMan due to being an archery-themed hero who also uses PoweredArmor (with Wild Boy based off of Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy.)
199** True-Man is a hybrid of Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} and ComicBook/CaptainMarvel, being a caped hero of incredible power whose abilities include flight and super strength.
200* ''Bob The Galactic Bum'' is an interesting example. During its original run, Lobo made an appearance as a supporting character. When it was reprinted in the ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd Megazine'' in the late noughties, they were unable to secure the rights to use Lobo. Thus, Lobo was replaced by a butch lesbian bounty hunter by the name of Asbo.
201* In a later issue of the ''Meg'', Dredd went up against an amnesiac Canadian mutant codenamed Weasel, whose fingers have been replaced with 'unbreakium' claws. His skeleton has been swapped with solid Boing[[{{Tradesnark}} ™]], he had an incredibly powerful HealingFactor, and he tended to call people 'Bob'. As if he wasn't a blatant enough copy of ''ComicBook/XMen's'' Wolverine, at the end of the story, he returns to his pseudo-family - this consists of a woman with a stormcloud perpetually over her head, a cyclops, a beastly chap, an [[WingedHumanoid angelic guy]], and a big-headed bald man in a wheelchair.
202** Another Dredd storyline in ''2000 AD'' had ''another'' mutant rights organisation organised by a bald professor, including AnIcePerson, a redheaded telekinetic, a guy with wings and a bestial guy. The twist? They ''weren't'' really mutants at all.
203** And in ''another'' issue of the ''Meg'' Dredd took on a rogue PR judge and his team of "super-judges" called the ''Adjudicators.'' This issue also coincided with the UK release of ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'' movie.
204* Creator/BongoComics' line of comics based on ''ComicBook/TheSimpsons'' (and ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'') features an occasional series of ''ComicBook/RadioactiveMan'' comics (Bart's favorite superhero from the TV show) that pretends to be the "actual" comics from the Simpsons' universe, and parodies various superhero comic trends and styles from the 1950s through present (depending on the "year" the comic was "published"). In particular, Radioactive Man and his cohorts parody many comic elements:
205** Radioactive Man himself is Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} (FlyingBrick powers, etc.), with elements of Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}} (his alter ego as "Claude Kane, millionaire layabout", a teenage sidekick) thrown in. His origin story is basically ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk's.
206** Fallout Boy is Robin, with an origin story paralleling [[Characters/MarvelComicsPeterParker Spider-Man]]'s.
207** Gloria Grand = [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]].
208** WZEN, Gloria's radio (in "early" stories) or TV (in more "modern" stories) station is the Daily Planet (with elements of WHIZ from [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] thrown in).
209** Gretchen Grille = [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]].
210** The Superior Squad = the ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica, as well as aspects of ComicBook/TheAvengers.
211** Captain Squid = ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}
212** Lure Lass = the Characters/ScarletWitch
213** Bug Boy = Brainiac 5
214** Plasmo the Mystic = ComicBook/DoctorStrange
215** Brave Heart/Purple Heart/Bleeding Heart/Heart of Darkness = Green Arrow (in background and liberal views); also has elements of ComicBook/IronMan, in that he owns a weapons company and funds the Superior Squadron. Like Ant-Man, he constantly changes his superhero persona. Additionally, being the leader of the Superior Squadron, it's fitting that the overall shape of his costume resembles that of Captain America, and his heart themes parallel different eras for Cap.
216** Weasel Woman = a female version of [[Characters/MarvelComicsLoganHowlett Wolverine]]
217** RM's arch-nemesis Dr. Crab is basically [[Characters/SupermanLexLuthor Lex Luthor]], with aspects of Dr. Sivana thrown in as well.
218* Similarly, in an early Simpsons Comics storyline where the citizens of Springfield (save Bart, though he later on does show up in his "Bartman" guise) accidentally gain superpowers, they wind up becoming Captain Ersatz versions of various superheroes:
219** Homer became [[Characters/MarvelComicsBruceBanner the Inedible Bulk]] (including citing "the madder Bulk gets, the ''hungrier'' Bulk gets!" and "Bulk gnash!").
220** Smithers became a take-off on Thor.
221** Mrs. Krabappel = Characters/{{Vampirella}} ("Vampiredna").
222** Krusty the Clown = [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker The Joker]], natch.
223** Plus a pair of groups, Oldblood and [=WildB.R.A.T.S.=] based on Creator/ImageComics' NinetiesAntiHero teams ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics and ComicBook/WildCATsWildStorm. Ironically, the former team is made up of senior citizens.
224* The Nigerian hero ''Powerman'' was intentionally created in order as a black version of Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}}.
225* ''ComicBook/PS238'' is '''made''' of this trope. Virtually every main character is a CaptainErsatz of some other company's characters.
226* Lampshaded and repeatedly played with in "Heal Thy Elf", an ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'' satire in that franchise's ''New Blood'' Special issue. At one point, the appearance of a thinly-veiled Charlie Brown CaptainErsatz is called out and derided ... by a thinly-veiled CaptainErsatz of the bugs from ''Pogo''.
227* ''[[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational Justice League Europe]]'':
228** The team once met a clan of Parisian WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} named Behemoth, Seine, Angelique, Montparnasse, Montmartre, Champs-Elysse and Left Bank. Behemoth had an evil twin named Thomeheb and an ex-wife named Diabolique. The story was written by Creator/GregWeisman.
229** The head of the League's British embassy staff, the pompous and demanding Michael Morice (aka the Beefeater), his sarcastic wife Lisa, and his Spanish assistant Esteban Sanchez, are patterned after the cast of ''Series/FawltyTowers''.
230* The crime comic ''Kane'' has a hitman named Frankie who's basically Marv from ComicBook/SinCity, face bandages, interior monologue and all... [[ElmuhFuddSyndwome until he speaks]]...
231* Batton Lash's ''Webcomic/SupernaturalLaw'' comic is full of Ersatz versions of various horror movie, TV and comic characters, including Sod, the Thing Called It (a ComicBook/SwampThing / ComicBook/ManThing pastiche) and "Mildred Winters, the Vampire Hater," a geeky analogue to Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer.
232* In ComicBook/{{Asterix}} and the Falling Sky (2005, original French title Le ciel lui tombe sur la tête) an alien leader named Toon is an obvious reference to WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse (Uderzo, the comics creator, has said that this album was also a tribute to Creator/WaltDisney). The story also includes an army of Arnold Schwarzeneggers dressed like Superman, but with a star symbol in place of the "S".
233* ''ComicBook/MarvelZombies Return'' has a group of zombies that band together at the end. They consist of Characters/TheSentry, [[Characters/SupermanTheCharacter an invincible guy with a cape and an "S" symbol;]] ComicBook/MoonKnight, [[Characters/BatmanTheCharacter a billionaire nighttime detective;]] Thundra, [[Characters/WonderWomanTheCharacter a super-strong feminist Amazon;]] [[Characters/MarvelComicsQuicksilver Quicksilver]], [[ComicBook/TheFlash a speedster,]] ComicBook/{{Quasar}}, [[ComicBook/GreenLantern the wielder of alien items that conjure things,]] [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor]], [[ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} King of the Seas who swims fast and talks to fish;]] the Super-Skrull, [[ComicBook/MartianManhunter a shapeshifting green-skinned alien with lots of powers;]] and [[ComicBook/AntMan Giant-Man]], [[ComicBook/TheAtom a scientist who can change his size]]. [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica Hmm...]]
234** The comic [[DontExplainTheJoke explicits all the references]] by giving them title cards, reading as follows: \
235Sentry - Man of Gold \
236Moon Knight - World's Greatest Detective \
237Quasar - Wielder of the Quantum Bands \
238Sub-Mariner - King of the Seven Seas \
239Thundra - Warrior Woman from All-Female Society \
240Quicksilver - Fastest Man Alive (or dead) \
241Super-Skrull - Manhunter from Tarnax IV \
242Giant-Man - Dr. Henry Pym: Size-changing Scientist
243* ''ComicBook/ManThing'' had Wundarr, a version of Superman who is never rescued from his spacepod due to the paranoid temerity of a certain old couple. Instead, he grows up tutored by computers until accidentally released by the title character.
244* Creator/AlanMoore's ''Terra Obscura'' turned previously unrelated PublicDomain Golden Age heroes the Black Terror and Tom Strange into ersatz versions of Batman and Superman. The other heroes were made to correspond very roughly to various other figures from the era, but none so much as those two.
245** Alan Moore also created the ''ComicBook/NineteenSixtyThree'' mini-series for Creator/{{Image|Comics}}, with each of the six issues being an homage to Creator/MarvelComics of the 1960's: #1 Mystery Incorporated (Fantastic Four), #2 The Fury (Spider-Man and Daredevil), #3 Tales of the Uncanny (U.S.A and The Hypernaut = Captain America and Iron Man), #4 Tales From Beyond (Johnny Beyond and N-Man = Dr. Strange and the Hulk), #5 Horus (Thor), and #6 The Tomorrow Syndicate (The Avengers).
246* ''10th Muse'' supporting characters Venus/Mighty Maid and Wombat are, respectively, Supergirl and Batman (though ''both'' are female). Venus' introductory issue was an extended ShoutOut to the Supergirl mythos, as it were, and Wombat actually murders her own parents outside a movie theater because she thinks it will make her a better hero.
247* In ''ComicBook/ThePro'', the League of Honor is blatantly a copy of the ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica. To wit:
248** The Saint: Superman
249** The Knight: Batman
250** The Squire: Robin
251** The Lady: Wonder Woman
252** The Lime: Green Lantern
253** [[OddNameOut Speedo]]: Flash, wearing ''Film/{{Borat}}'''s mankini
254*** The Pro herself is a parody of Characters/PowerGirl, sharing not only a prominent cleavage window and similar hairstyle (though much more disheveled). She also takes the MsFanservice role quite a bit further by actually being a prostitute.
255* One of Marvel's earliest Golden Age heroes was the Angel, best described as "Literature/TheSaint in a superhero context".
256* Marvel and DC have used this to foster a SpiritualCrossover on occasion. One month, Marvel's [[ComicBook/TheInvadersMarvelComics Invaders]] and DC's ComicBook/{{Freedom Fighters|DCComics}} both faced off against a group known as the Crusaders. In both cases, the Crusaders were ersatz versions of the other company's team.
257* Winky, Blinky, and Noddy, aka "The Three Dimwits," were {{Bumbling Sidekick}}s to the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Flash. They were obviously ersatz versions of Film/TheThreeStooges.
258* Captain Strong, a more "realistic" (for comic books' version of realistic) version of ComicStrip/{{Popeye}}, has sporadically met up with Superman over the last forty years. His most recent appearance had him fight [[ComicBook/HarleyQuinn the Gang of Harleys]] in their debut.
259* Many of ComicBook/SinCity's characters are {{Shout Out}}s to previous characters from pulp fiction and film noir:
260** Marv was created as "Franchise/{{Conan|TheBarbarian}} in a trenchcoat."
261** Dwight is quite obviously based on Literature/MikeHammer.
262** Creator/FrankMiller was always disappointed in ''Film/TheDeadPool'' (the fifth ''Film/DirtyHarry'' movie) so he wrote what he thought should be the real final case of [[Film/DirtyHarry Harry Callahan.]] Enter: John Hartigan.
263*** The Yellow Bastard is a horrific case in that Miller has admitted that he was based off of a grown-up (and deranged) version of the [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91QNq740g5L.jpg Yellow Kid]].
264* ''ComicBook/HolyTerror'' was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally meant to be a Batman story]], so consequently some of its characters, despite Miller proclaiming it was no longer a Batman story, carry many superficial elements of Batman characters to the point that it may as well still be a Batman story. The Fixer is obviously Batman, Natalie Stack is Catwoman (to the point of cracking a "nine lives" joke) and Dan Donagel is Jim Gordon (the latter not even that different looking). Even Empire City itself shares much with Gotham, such as the Statue of Liberty-esque statue that some versions of Gotham have.
265* The mostly forgotten 1966 "Captain Marvel" from MF Enterprises had a rogues gallery composed almost entirely of Captain Ersatzes, including guys called Plastic Man (later changed to Elastic Man), Dr. Fate, The Bat (Later changed to The Ray), Tinyman (Captain Ersatz of Dollman), and Atom Jaw (Captain Ersatz of Iron Jaw, arch-foe of the then-popular hero Crimebuster).
266* The Kindle-based comic book series ''ComicBook/LimekillerAtLarge'' features a number of these. The Blue Pangolin (the Ted Kord version of ComicBook/BlueBeetle), The Alloy Angel (Iron Man), Commander Dynamic (Superman), The Knoir Knight and Chickadee the Boy Diversion (Batman and Robin), Quantum Phyllis ([[ComicBook/{{Watchmen}} Dr. Manhattan]]), and the American Ranger (a mash-up of Captain America and Franchise/TheLoneRanger).
267* Much of the cast of ''ComicBook/JackStaff'' is made up of Ersatz versions of either Creator/MarvelComics heroes, or British pulp comic heroes. This is because the series was originally pitched as a Marvel series. Jack Staff himself is based on Captain Britain and Union Jack; Becky Burdock is partially based on Captain Britain's sister Betsy Braddock/Psylocke. The Hurricane is Captain Hurricane, Tom Tom the Robot Boy is Archie the Robot, and General Tubbs is General Jumbo.
268* During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, when Creator/WillEisner was drafted and put his ''ComicBook/TheSpirit'' series in near limbo, Quality Comics had commissioned Creator/JackCole to create a near copy, Midnight, who was visually almost exactly like The Spirit, but the stories were broader in comic scope. When the character had his own stories in the 1990s as a backup story to ''ComicBook/MsTree'' at DC, he was changed to a darker tone and more enigmatic style to differentiate him from the still more famous Spirit.
269* Marvel's ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers'', in a blatant attempt to cash in on the latest ''Film/{{Dredd}}'' movie, featured the Dark Avengers travelling through time to Mondo-City 1, where a clone of Luke Cage's grandson dispenses justice as "Boss Cage" and shares many common traits with his inspiration (he never takes off his helmet, rides a souped-up bike with cannons mounted on the front, is unquestionably devoted to the law, has a gun coded to his DNA, and so on). Taking it further, the Outlands are the Cursed Earth, the blonde Boss Sanders is probably Judge Anderson, and a list of Boss Cage's former rogues includes "Boss Venom" (the Venom symbiote wearing a Boss helmet) clearly intended as a reference to the inhuman, pointy-toothed Judge Death.
270* ''AtomicMouse vs Power Jack and the Lost Menagerie'' features the titular FunnyAnimal AnimalSuperhero meeting a dimensionally-lost superhero team led by a bunny rabbit in a yellow costume and red cowl, and including a metal pig, a magic cat [[ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew etc.]]
271* In Franchise/TheDCU, the Scarlet Skier's skis allowed him to fly through space and act as the herald and cosmic locator for Mr. Nebula. They were clearly based on the Franchise/MarvelUniverse characters the Silver Surfer and Galactus, who had the same relationship.
272* During the "Dead End Kids" arc, the ComicBook/{{Runaways}} encountered a 1900s version of the Avengers, which included Difference Engine (Iron Man), Black Maria (Scarlet Witch), Nightstick (Captain America), and Daystick (Bucky). There was also a trigger-happy vigilante calling himself the Adjudicator, who was obviously a stand-in for the Punisher.
273* In the special anti-drug comics of ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'' in 1983, a licensing issue [[note]]Robin had been licensed by Nabisco for superhero themed cookies, while the comics were sponsored by Keebler[[/note]] led to the character of Robin having to quickly be redrawn as an auburn-haired, purple-clad character named "The Protector", who still acted as the leader of the Titans and did all the things that Robin normally would have. The Protector also appeared in an animated anti-drug ad by Hanna-Barbera, who was to also make a ''New Teen Titans'' animated series at the time (minus Protector and with Wonder Girl as the leader, though it never got off the ground). DC eventually tried to explain away the character's existence in the 1986 ''Who's Who'' by claiming that the Protector was an honorary Titan who became a member for busting a drug ring. While the Protector has made occasional background cameos over the years (most notably in a ''Titans Secret Files'' story and in the revised edition of ''Infinite Crisis''), he is mostly regarded as an in-joke sort of character. According to George Perez, the original artwork of the Keebler issues was basically dabbed with white-out and re-inked in order to change Robin's panels.
274* In ''ComicBook/TheSmurfs'' comic book series, Jeanty of "A Child Among The Smurfs" might have become this for Scruple from [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981 the cartoon show]], in being a bratty child that becomes Gargamel's apprentice, but he ended up having a change of heart by the end of the story.
275* In ''ComicBook/CaptainAlcohol'', the DamselInDistress Lois Alley is obviously based on [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]].
276* The ''ComicBook/{{Empowered}}'' series features The Maid Man, who (cross-dressing aside) is pretty much an Ersatz Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}. He's a BadassNormal who fights supervillainy using a variety of Maid-themed gadgets and {{Batman Gambit}}s (relying on EMP to get captured while he's undercover with a team of Supervillains, so they can spring a surprise attack on them, for example). He also has a similar "code" and badass voice as the Dark Knight and is the one Hero that even the Supervillains seem to be genuinely intimidated by. In a nod to Creator/FrankMiller's [[ComicBook/AllStarBatmanAndRobinTheBoyWonder increasingly insane take on the Batman Mythos]], villains will usually refer to the character as [[MemeticMutation "The Goddamn Maid Man!"]] whenever he shows up.
277* In ''Supurbia'', a comic about the lives of the spouses and children of superheroes, the "Meta-Legion" is full of Ersatzes of the Justice League with a bit of Avengers thrown in:
278** Marine Omega = [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]], only with more of a LegacyCharacter aspect added in.
279** Sovereign = Superman if he was gigantic asshole. To further the Superman analogy, Sovereign's "supporting cast" (girlfriends, enemies) all seem to have the initials "HH", must like the "LL" of Superman's cast.
280** Batu = Wonder Woman, only Mongolian and militant.
281** Cosmic Champion = Green Lantern
282** Night Fox = Batman (with some Iron Man and Doc Savage elements)... only he's [[spoiler: in gay-love with his Robin/Nightwing analogue]].
283* Big Daddy from ''ComicBook/KickAss'', is one of ''[[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle the Punisher]]'', minus the skull. [[spoiler:And tragic backstory, it turns out.]]
284* ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity'':
285** Dino Cop and the Spore are the DC versions of the Creator/ImageComics heroes ComicBook/SavageDragon and ComicBook/{{Spawn}} respectively. In fact, Earth-41 is basically DC's version of Image Comics; there's also characters based on Superpatriot, Shadowhawk, and members of Youngblood. There's also some element of CompositeCharacter -- the one that looks like Badrock has a lot of the Martian Manhunter's physical traits as well.
286** The heroes of Earth-8 are all based off Creator/MarvelComics characters. The Retaliators (ComicBook/TheAvengers) consist of the American Crusader ([[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]]), Machinehead (ComicBook/IronMan), Behemoth ([[Characters/MarvelComicsBruceBanner the Hulk]]), Wundajin ([[Characters/MarvelComicsThorOdinson Thor]]), The Bug ([[Characters/MarvelComicsPeterParker Spider-Man]]), Deadeye ([[Characters/MarvelComicsClintBarton Hawkeye]]), Red Dragon (Characters/BlackWidow), Kite (Characters/TheWasp crossed with a {{Gender Flip}}ped [[Characters/CaptainAmericaHeroes Falcon]]), Mighty Max ([[Characters/MarvelComicsCarolDanvers Captain Marvel]]), Ladybug (Characters/SpiderWoman) and Hyperius (either [[ComicBook/SquadronSupreme Hyperion]] or Characters/TheSentry). There's also the Future Family (the ComicBook/FantasticFour), the G-Men (the ComicBook/XMen), Lord Havok ([[Characters/MarvelComicsDoctorDoom Doctor Doom]]), the Power Celestial ([[Characters/MarvelComicsGalactus the Power]] [[Characters/SilverSurfer Cosmic]] and Celestials), and Stuntmaster ([[Characters/MarvelComicsMattMurdock Daredevil]]).
287*** ''Flash Forward'' renamed the G-Men as the Zen Men (the X-Men expies in the previous version of Earth-8) and names three of them as Uni-Orb (Cyclops), Windrider (Storm) and Night Troller (Nightcrawler), as well as unnamed expies of Colossus, Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Rogue with Gambit elements.
288*** ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueIncarnate'' adds Silver Eagle (Falcon) to the Retaliators, and ''ComicBook/SuicideSquad'' adds Machinehead II (War Machine) and Purple Rain (Characters/ScarletWitch). ''Suicide Squad'' also introduces the Lightning Strikes (''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'') who include Oedipus (genderflipped Characters/{{Elektra}}), Dead Red ([[Characters/IncredibleHulkCentralRoguesGallery Red Hulk]]), Thrill Kill (genderflipped [[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle Punisher]][=/=][[Characters/DaredevilCentralRoguesGallery Bullseye]]), Thing-Man (''ComicBook/ManThing'') and Blood Pouch ([[Characters/MarvelComicsDeadpool Deadpool]]).
289** The Thunderer of Earth-7 is based on Wundajin of Earth-8, making him one of [[Characters/MarvelComicsThorOdinson Thor]] as well. The differences in design between his world and that of Earth-8, and how the heroes of both worlds shared similar or identical codenames, suggested he was an [[UltimateUniverse "Ultimate"]] version, which was confirmed in ''The Just #1''. Similar characters from Earth-7 include Crusader (ComicBook/{{Ultimate|Marvel}} ComicBook/CaptainAmerica), Doc Future ([[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate Mr Fantastic]]) and Golem ([[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate The Thing]]). Strangely there also appears to be ersatz of non-ComicBook/UltimateMarvel characters including Walküre (ComicBook/{{Angela|AsgardsAssassin}} who is from the main Marvel Universe) and Devilfist (Creator/DarkHorse's ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}).
290** Earth-34, Earth-35, and Earth-36 deserve special mention, in that each of them is loosely based on an already-ersatz-heavy universe (ComicBook/AstroCity, Creator/RobLiefeld’s Awesome Comics imprint, and Big Bang Comics, respectively). This means that, yes, they are populated by ersatz versions of characters who are ersatz versions of DC characters.
291** Earth-4 takes that a step further, casting ''the original Charlton characters'' as ersatz Watchmen.
292** Earth-39 is home to the Agents of W.O.N.D.E.R., who are very direct ersatz versions of the ComicBook/{{THUNDER Agents}} -- instead of Noman there's Nemo, instead of Raven there's Corvus, etc. DC actually had the rights to the THUNDER Agents a little over a year before Multiversity; one imagines that if they still did, this example wouldn't be here.
293* [[Characters/GreenLantern1941 Solomon Grundy]] is often referred to as being DC's answer to ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk, though he predates Hulk by quite a while. He ended up gaining some of Hulk's characterization as time went on, including a variable personality and HulkSpeak. His appearances in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' played this up even further, with him being pursued by the military and gaining the CatchPhrase "GRUNDY CRUSH!"
294* ''ComicBook/TheUmbrellaAcademy'':
295** The Kraken is [[Characters/MarvelComicsLogan Wolverine]] without claws, although his power makes him a parody of ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} and his popular criticism of having a rather pointless power.
296** Officer Lupo is basically [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Commissioner Gordon]].
297* ''ComicBook/{{Noob}}''. At some point, the Noob guild has to break a pirate named [[Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean Jack Céparou]] out of a jail in which a dog-like creature is keeping the keys and help him find a treasure that turns out to be rhum. He shows up in a later comic looking for a lost compass.
298* ComicBook/{{The Invaders|MarvelComics}} once fought the Scarlet Scarab, an Egyptian Captain Ersatz of the Dan Garrett ComicBook/BlueBeetle who became a WellIntentionedExtremist when he allied with the Nazis against the British occupation. He gained his powers from a mystic scarab that was originally enchanted by an Egyption wizard called Garret to empower a warrior called Dann.
299* ''Everyone's'' [[FightingSpirit "Stands"]] in the 1997 one-shot comic ''Diesel''. Being a complete rip-off of the ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Stardust Crusaders]]'' arc of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', it's not too hard to "base" your characters' stands on other anime and even American comics. The protagonist's stand is based heavily on both [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]] and Pitt, a 90's anti-hero, with wild hair similar to [[Anime/DragonBallZ a Super-Saiyan]] or {{WesternAnimation/Freakazoid}}'s.
300* The indy book ''COPRA'' by Michael Fiffe riffs on ''ComicBook/SuicideSquad'' in the same way as ''Watchmen'' does the Charlton characters. The characters include Sonia Stone ([[Characters/SuicideSquadSupportStaff Amanda Waller]]), Lloyd ([[Characters/SuicideSquadOperatives Deadshot]]), Rax (ComicBook/ShadeTheChangingMan), Lite (Dr Light), Gracie (a depowered ComicBook/{{Vixen}}) Guthie (Duchess) and so on.
301* The character of Zodiac that appeared in ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' is a fusion of ''Film/TheDarkKnight''[='=]s version of [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker The Joker]] and [[Anime/DeathNote Light Yagmai]] as he's a CardCarryingVillain and anarchist like the former and resembles the latter.
302* In the ''ComicBook/NikolaiDante'' story "The Romanov Job", Nikolai is pursued by Luther Emmannuel, a man who looks and acts exactly like ComicBook/{{Luther Arkwright}}; it's even mentioned that Arkwright is an alias of his. Nikolai also teams up with a group of master criminals, all of whom are based on other comic villains.
303** The Tarantula is [[http://web.archive.org/web/20160307025354/http://internationalhero.co.uk/s/spider.htm the Spider]]
304** Janos Starak is [[http://web.archive.org/web/20160304185932/http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/j/janus.htm Janus Stark]]
305** Selina Solaris, the Panther, is Characters/{{Catwoman|SelinaKyle}}
306** Grushko Creel is Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, enemy of [[Characters/MarvelComicsThorOdinson Thor]].
307** In the "Amerika" storyline, the rebel leader is Major Victory, who is a recoloured Captain America.
308* Captain Action was an action figure in the sixties, whose gimmick was that he came with costumes of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Green Hornet, Phantom etc. He was relaunched with a comic from Moonstone in the 2000s, with a backstory where his suit enabled him to temporarily duplicate other heroes' powers and abilities. Unfortunately, Moonstone obviously didn't have the rights to the heroes whose costumes were used by the action figure (except Phantom), so he duplicates characters called Savior, Green Circle and so on.
309* The hero C.O.M.Bat of ''ComicBook/{{Plutona}}'' is described as "some rich guy in combat armor" and is an obvious invocation of Characters/{{Batman|TheCharacter}}.
310* Characters/{{Superman|TheCharacter}} once faced off against a hero from another universe named Captain Thunder whose only distinction from [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] was in having a sun on his chest instead of a lightning bolt. His civilian identity was Willie Fawcett, so DC wasn't even trying to hide anything. Weirdly, this was published the year ''after'' DC started publishing a licenced ''Shazam!'' book, but until they owned the character outright they kept him separate from the DC Multiverse.
311* In the second wave of DC Universe ComicBook/HannaBarberaBeyond crossovers, seventies ComicBook/BlackLightning teams up with WesternAnimation/HongKongPhooey for a very weird take on ''ComicBook/HeroesForHire''.
312* According to Creator/GrantMorrison, ''ComicBook/SevenSoldiers'' started out as ''[=JL8=]'', which would have been a team of C-List Justice Leaguers who just happened to be counterparts to ''ComicBook/TheAvengers''. While it moved away from that concept, you can still see elements of it:
313** Manhattan Guardian, the shield-bearing hero, is [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]].
314** Frankenstein, the big green guy, is ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk. (The original idea was apparently for Etrigan to be the Hulk counterpart, presumably focusing more on the "ordinary guy with a monster trapped inside him" aspect).
315** Characters/{{Zatanna}}, the female magic user, is Characters/ScarletWitch.
316** Mr. Miracle, the guy from [[ComicBook/NewGods a world]] of Creator/JackKirby gods, is ... ''kind of'' [[Characters/MarvelComicsThorOdinson Thor]].
317** Bulleteer, ComicBook/{{Klarion|TheWitchBoy}} and Shining Knight lack obvious counterparts (unless Shining Knight is Black Knight), and were probably added after the book started moving in a different direction.
318* The [[Creator/DarkHorseComics Dark Horse]] ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' comics had to create their own opponents for the title character as they didn't have to rights to any other Creator/{{Toho}} monsters. Inevitably, some ended up being [[{{Expy}} expies]], but the most blatant copy was probably Cybersaur, a giant mech resembling Godzilla constructed by the United Nations and used by G-Force to fight Godzilla, temporarily defeating him, and its strongest weapon is a chest cannon. In other words, Cybersaur is the [[Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzillaII Heisei Mechagodzilla]] (the film of which only came out only eighteen months prior to the first appearance of Cybersaur) in everything but name. For bonus points, both mechs ended up facing off against Godzilla and a red flying kaiju at the same time and are destroyed in fiery explosions.
319* Richard Sala's comics ''Mad Night'' and ''The Grave Robber's Daughter'' feature Judy Drood, "girl detective" -- just imagine Literature/NancyDrew if written by Creator/MickeySpillane.
320* In the Golden Age ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'' story "Case of the Funny Paper Crimes" (and its ''ComicBook/AllStarSquadron'' remake "See You in the Funny Papers!") the villain Funnyface brings villains from comic strips to life, and Superman teams up with the heroes from the same comics. They are Detective Craig (ComicStrip/DickTracy), Prince Peril (ComicStrip/PrinceValiant), the Solitary Rider (Franchise/TheLoneRanger) and Streak Dugan (ComicStrip/FlashGordon).
321* When Creator/GrantMorrison and Creator/MarkMillar were told that they couldn't use DC Universe characters in ''ComicBook/SwampThing'' due to it being a Creator/{{Vertigo|Comics}} book, they just changed the names: the Traveller resembles Odin, but basically fills the role of ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger (until Millar gets to actually use the Stranger, and the Traveller is established as his enemy), the Word is blatantly ComicBook/TheSpectre except his cloak is red, and so on.
322* The ComicBook/MortadeloYFilemon story ''ComicBook/ValorYAlToro'' was originally supposed to be this, with author Francisco Ibáñez drawing it as the first issue in a 'new' series after a falling out with his publishers, Editorial Bruguera. When they resumed their business relationship, Ibáñez only had to reinsert Mortadelo and Filemón in place of the two clonical characters he had drawn in the first seven pages he had already finished. In Filemón's case, his doppleganger Ocarino (whose name still can be faintly seen in one of the reworked panels) was essentially himself but with hair, so the job was pretty smooth. The main issue was that the character that would take on the role of Mortadelo (Lentejo, 'lentil', according to Ibáñez's own recollection) was supposed to be very short instead of very tall, so Mortadelo was forced to appear either kneeling down or in very strange angles to fit in the pre-drawn panels.
323* Victor Dragon of ''Tornado'' was actually Literature/SextonBlake, but four days before issue 1 was sent to the printers, it turned out IPC didn't have the license, and so all the names had to be hastily changed. Any differences are so irrelevant that the first story, "The Terror of Troll Island", was reprinted in 2020 as part of ''The Return of Sexton Blake''; since Rebellion did have the rights, the names were all reverted back to the originals (though Tinker is occasionally still called Spencer).
324* Marvel's Time Variance Authority agent Justice Peace, who first appeared in ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor'', is another ersatz ComicBook/JudgeDredd, originally from the near-future MegaCity of Brooklynopolis. As an InspirationNod, one of his fellow Justices is named after Pat Mills.
325* ComicBook/CaptainElectron from the comic of the same name is virtually identical to Superman, right down to having a near-identical outfit and the same spit curl in his hair. Ironically, the comic's introductory text indicates that he has a quite different origin to Superman -- describing him as "an ordinary man who has been energized by the miracles of science" -- but the second issue, which would have featured his origin story, was never published.
326* The Creator/JoeCasey and Creator/NickDragotta book ''All-America Comix'' stars America Vasquez, who is ''very blatantly'' America Chavez, and who encounters thinly disguised Avengers and has a friend called Maximum Anihilator, who is just as clearly Chavez's ''Vengeance'' teammate Ultimate Nulifier.
327* In Creator/KieronGillen's ''[[ComicBook/PeterCannonThunderbolt2019 Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt]]'' miniseries, the villain is an evil alternate-universe version of Cannon, who is a CaptainErsatz for Adrian Veidt from ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}''... who of course was originally an Ersatz for Cannon himself.
328* ''ComicBook/StarTrekIDW'': Captain Steven Corey from "Lost Apollo" is essentially [[Series/IDreamOfJeannie Major Tony Nelson]] if he lived in the Trekverse and married an ordinary woman rather than a genie. He lives in Cocoa Beach, is an astronaut in the late sixties/early seventies and is drawn to look exactly like a young Larry Hagman.
329* ''ComicBook/KaZar'': The Ka-Zar of the early comics is a shameless ripoff of Franchise/{{Tarzan}}. His own name is just two letters shy of Tarzan's own name.

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