Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? So, it's not a surprise when there are two main titans in the comic book industry that there be some... similarities.
Be it a broad generalization (team of gifted misfits fighting for those that hate them... Doom Patrol/X-Men) or... really specific, like cat burglars who don black spandex suits and team-up and occasionally sleep with their sometimes rival while walking the line between right and wrong (Catwoman/Black Cat).
Marvel and DC have even acknowledged these... coincidences at times, like the Amalgam universe where they met their alternate universe counterpart. We've decided to highlight just how bad it can get at times, these are the most shameless Marvel and DC analogs.
The winner of each analog is the one who was created first.
http://www.ranker.com/list/shameless-marvel-dc-analogs/ranker-comics, comic book characters, comics,
Superman and The Sentry
Similarities: Nearly infinite god-like power. Both have the power of flight, super strength, and invincibility.
Superman first appearance: Action Comics #1 in April 1938
Sentry first appearance: The Sentry #1 in September 2000
Winner: Superman
Batman and Iron Man
Similarities: Egotistical billionaires (one who's always, one who dons it as a facade) who use their wealth to build a suit and many toys to fight crime.
Batman first appearance: Detective Comics #27 in May 1939
Iron Man first appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 in March 1963
Winner: Batman
Elongating Man and Mister Fantastic
Similarities: Stretchy, elastic-y super geniuses.
Elongating Man first appearance: The Flash #112 in May 1960
Mr. Fantastic first appearance: The Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961
Winner: Elongating Man
Guardian and Captain America
Similarities: Superheroes with no "superpowers" who fights for truth, justice, and the American way... using their shields. Both invented by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon.
Guardian first appearance: Star-Spangled Comics #7 in April 1942
Captain America first appearance: Captain America Comics #1 in March 1941
Winner: Captain America
The Atom and Hank Pym
Similarities: Genius physicist and inventor who can shrink down to a itty bitty size to fight crime.
The Atom first appearance: Suicide Squad #44 in August 1990
Hank Pym first appearance: Tales to Astonish #27 in January 1962
Winner: Hank Pym
Doom Patrol and the X-Men
Similarities: A team of superpowered misfits whose "gifts" caused them alienation and trauma, and they use these gifts to defend those who hate and fear them.
Doom Patrol first appearance: My Greatest Adventure #80 in June 1963
X-Men first appearance: The X-Men #1 in September 1963
Winner: Doom Patrol
Aquaman and Namor
Similarities: Arrogant, brash, not well liked, undersea titans who rule their own kingdom with smarm and charm.
Aquaman first appearance: More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941
Namor first appearance: Motion Picture Funnies Weekly in April 1939
Winner: Namor
The Flash and Quicksilver
Similarities: Funny, quick witted, and quick footed.
The Flash first appearance: Flash Comics #1 in January 1940
Quicksilver first appearance: The X-Men #4 in March 1964
Winner: The Flash
Catwoman and Black Cat
Similarities: Black latex clad cat-thieves who commonly gets romantically involved with their sometimes enemy/sometimes ally.
Catwoman first appearance: Batman #1 in Spring 1940
Black Cat first appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #194 in July 1979
Winner: Catwoman
Green Lantern Corps and Nova corps
Similarities: Superpowered space law enforcement corps, whose lead (to us) protagonist was gifted with his power by a dying alien (from our perspective).
Green Lantern first appearance: All-American Comics #16 in July 1940
Nova first appearance: Fantastic Four #204 and #205 in March 1979
Winner: Green Lantern Corps