DC Comics and Marvel Comics have been creating characters for decades. While some comic characters share similar attributes, others share the same name. These humorous pairs can be found throughout Marvel and DC Comics, but both characters never boast the same amount of fame.
No one thinks of a DC villain when they hear the name “Magneto,” or a Marvel villain when they hear about “Scarecrow.” Whether the characters exist in the same franchise, or Marvel and DC each have their own version, most readers only remember the more famous character to use the name.
10/10 DC’s Spider Girl Is Anything But Spectacular
Longtime fans of Spider-Man know there have been various characters who have taken up the mantle of Spider-Girl. The two most famous incarnations include the future daughter of Peter and MJ, May Parker, and the spider powered Anya Corazon, formerly known as Arana. While both have their fans, there is another Spider Girl, whose ties lie with DC’s heroes of the future.
Unlike her Marvel namesakes, Spider Girl doesn’t have spider based powers. Instead, she sports extremely long hair that can be used for multiple functions, like Marvel’s Medusa. Unfortunately, she isn’t one of the Legions’ well remembered members. Spider Girl would return, but under the pseudonym Wave, becoming a villain readers soon forgot.
9/10 Superman’s Mr. Sinister Isn’t As Malevolent
One of the most dangerous adversaries the X-Men face is Mister Sinister, a geneticist granted various powers at his disposal. His quest to unlock the secrets of evolution has kept him at odds with Marvel’s team of mutant superheroes, remaining a threat to them and the Marvel Universe. However, the same can’t be said about the DC version.
Appearing in Superman #16 by Jerry Siegel and Leo Nowak, Mister Sinister is also a superhuman scientist. However, he uses his weapons to shrink buildings and sell them for profit across multiple dimensions. It’s no surprise that this obscure Superman foe would be left back in his dimension, never to return and face the Man of Steel.
8/10 Marvel’s Scarecrow Can’t Manage A Fright
The Scarecrow moniker is tied to Jonathan Crane, a psychologist who turned his obsession of people’s fear into a weapon. While the famous adversary has remained popular from multiple appearance in shows and movies, Marvel too has their own version of the man of nightmare.
Like Crane, Ebeneezer Laughton enjoys putting the fear in innocent civilians to rob banks, with the notable exception being his constant use of trained crows. Unlike his DC counterpart, Scarecrow has been cast aside, only brought out when other villains decide to team up. Interestingly, the two Scarecrows joined forces when both comic book universes collided.
7/10 Aquaman’s Magneto Is Villainous, But No Master
Both DC and Marvel are known for their cruel villains. For Aquaman, the robotic menace Magneto was part of a group of robots who freed an alien convict on Earth. While the androids never appeared after this adventure, the Marvel’s X-Men would meet someone with the same name.
However, the name belonged to a tortured Holocaust survivor with magnetic powers who sought to control the world. Since his first appearance, Marvel’s Magneto served as a powerful antagonist to the X-Men, but wasn’t above teaming up with them when it suited his needs. When it came to recognition among comic fans, Marvel’s Master of Magnetism had his robot namesake beat.
6/10 DC’s The Mask Is No Laughing Matter
One of the bigger comic characters outside the Big Two, the Mask has become a much bigger deal thanks to the comics and the iconic 90s comedy. The shape-shifting trickster still has a loyal following to this day, but before his debut, Wonder Woman fought a character with the same alias.
After experiencing repeated abuse, Nina Close used strategy and her proficiency with firearms to frame her husband and his partner. Although a tragic figure, the villainess never made a name for herself among Diana’s roster of rogues.
5/10 Doctor Doome Was Around Before Latveria’s Ruler
Before the creation of The Fantastic Four, DC had their own villainous doctor with the last name Doom (spelled Doome). The evil professor worked for the Time Trust, scientists studying time travel. Doome used their breakthrough to transport various villains from time to commit crimes, but the Seven Soldiers of Victory stopped him.
Although DC’s Doome appeared years prior, Marvel’s Victor Von Doom stood the test of time. The combined dictator, evil scientist, and warlock strategist became a vicious adversary against The Fantastic Four and all the Marvel Universe. While Victor remained a powerful menace, Doome was literally lost to time.
4/10 The Title Professor X Belongs To More Than One Character
Charles Xavier is one of the world’s leading advocates for mutant rights. He is also Professor X, the telepathic founder of the X-Men, serving as their overseer and trusted confidant. Though not perfect, he serves as one of Marvel’s brightest minds, figuratively and literally. For Superboy, DC’s Professor is nothing but trouble.
Appearing in Superboy #69 by Otto Binder and George Papp, the Professor challenged the Boy of Steel to multiple races, winning all of them. However, Professor X turned out to be two men using the same name to discredit Superboy. The frauds went to jail, never to make another appearance.
3/10 DC Has Two Ravens, But Only One Remains
During the early years of Batman and Robin, the two would encounter a duo of strange villains. One of these foes was “Raven,” a bird themed criminal. Luckily, the Dynamic Duo discovered Raven and his partner were mind controlled by alien invaders, and freed them from their control.
While that particular Raven never returned, his name would be used by a young sorceress. Raven, during her time on the Teen Titans, became one of the best additions to the Titans mythos and one of DC’s most powerful magic users.
2/10 Whiz Comics Had Their Own “Spider-Man”
Spider-Man has become the face of Marvel and boasts one of the top superhero franchises in history. The wisecracking superhero also profits from having multiple incarnations in popular culture, from cartoons to film series. Before his debut, another costumed character would use the moniker, but for the wrong reasons.
Whiz Comics, the creators of Shazam, featured a costumed cat burglar with a spider motif. While not bearing any superpowers, this Spider-Man was an inventor who used super adhesive guns to commit crimes. When Shazam transferred to DC, Spider-Man remained mostly forgotten, the name becoming synonymous with the company’s biggest rival.
1/10 Marvel’s Original Vision Isn’t That Beloved
The Vision is a true cybernetic powerhouse not to be messed with. From his advanced knowledge to his control over his molecular density, the android Avenger has become one of the team’s most loyal members. Years prior to his creation, another Marvel superhero would use the name Vision to fight for justice as well.
The former villain turned hero Aarkus was an alien called to Earth on accident, using his now superhuman abilities to fight during World War II. After the war, Vision retired his codename and went back to his home world inside the Cosmic Cube, where he resides. The former Vision would fade in obscurity, but his appearance and powers would become associated with the robotic hero fans came to love.
