5 Iconic Superheroes Who Are Aren't Actually Original

From the golden age of comic books to the modern marvels of today's superhero universe, many beloved characters have their roots in existing concepts and stories. In this article, we will explore five iconic superheroes who claim their own name and origin, but are actually based on the work of earlier creators. This list includes the lesser-known Colonel Britannia, as well as the more well-known Commander Steel and Captain Canuck.

Colonel Britannia: A Mash-Up Character Through Time

Perhaps my favorite is my own Colonel Britannia, a mash-up character that takes inspiration from Jane Austen’s Persuasion. In this adaptation, Frederick Wentworth, a Royal Navy officer, is updated from the Napoleonic Wars to World War II and transformed into Britain's 'super-soldier.' In 2023, Pro Se Press released a collection of short stories featuring Colonel Britannia, with cover art by Joe Staton, a longtime collaborator from the Dick Tracy series. You can purchase a copy here.

Commander Steel: A Modern Silver Age Hero

Two of my favorite knock-offs of Captain America include Commander Steel and Captain Canuck. Commander Steel was originally created by Gary Conway in the 1970s, a time when nostalgia for the golden age of World War II comic superheroes was in vogue. This cyborg superhero's body serves as his shield, and in 2021, he even appeared in two versions in the Arrowverse's Legends of Tomorrow.

Legends of Tomorrow's Citizen Steel:

Commander Steel has also made appearances in the crossover shows, making him a figure of interest in modern comic book history.

Captain Canuck: A Comic Book Classic Resurrected

Captain Canuck was also brought to life in the 1970s and similarly draws from the nostalgia for the golden age of comics. In 2020, he was re-booted for a modern web series, showing that his legacy endures.

Captain America: The Greatest Rip-Off of Them All?

But let's not forget that Captain America himself is something of a rip-off. The original character, The Shield, debuted in 1940, predating Captain America. The Shield's shield was used as a sort of chest-plate armor, similar to Captain America's early designs. Captain America quickly dropped the round shield in favor of the familiar diamond shape.

The similarities didn't just end with the characters' fashion sense. Both Captain America and the Shield took a super-serum that gave them their abilities. Moreover, in both cases, the Nazis killed the doctors who created the super-serum. The name of the Shield's formula was the clever acronym S.H.I.E.L.D., which is recognized as the name of the organization Captain America would later join.

Other Iconic Characters Based on Earlier Work

For those interested in delving deeper into this subject, there are five iconic characters that were also rip-offs. These characters include:

The Green Lantern: A character based on the Lantern of Fate from Pixote the Sorcerer. The Powerpuff Girls: Inspired by the Little Golem from Johnny Quest. Iron Man: Shares similarities with the power armors of Kasim Nandu from the book Face of War. The Flash: Traces its roots back to the earlier character of Zoom, who was a super-speedster. Spider-Man: Directly inspired by the tale of Peter Parker, a scientist bitten by a radioactive spider.

While many superheroes may claim a unique origin and identity, sometimes their roots are far older and more complex than we realize. Whether it's Colonel Britannia, Commander Steel, Captain Canuck, or even Captain America, many of the beloved characters in the comic book universe have origins in earlier works and characters.

Conclusion

From the fantastical idea of a Royal Navy officer from the Napoleonic Wars transforming into a World War II super-soldier to the ingenious reboots of characters like Commander Steel and Captain Canuck, it's clear that inspiration is often drawn from previous works. This exploration into these iconic characters reveals the endless possibilities and creativity in storytelling.

Do you have a favorite knock-off character? Let us know in the comments below!

Keywords: Superhero Rip-offs, Captain America, Colonel Britannia, Commander Steel, Captain Canuck