It is common for comic artists and writers to create a superhero using a celebrity (such as an actor or singer) as a reference. However, some creative teams at Marvel and DC Comics took it a step further by essentially casting their chosen star as the character they created. Sometimes this led to amazing results, while other times it was just plain weird.
The best types of superheroes based on a celebrity have borrowed more than just their physical appearance. These superheroes were also influenced by the works of their celebrities and real-life legacies. Conversely, the poorest celebrity heroes were nothing more than superficial fan castings that barely got beyond the recognition value of their novel.
10 Numinus (Whoopi Goldberg)
Created by Jon Bogdanove and Gray Morrow
Numinus is one of Marvel Comics’ most powerful yet obscure Celestials. Debuting during the adventures of the equally forgotten Power Pack, she was the living embodiment of numinosity (i.e. the spiritual connection between an individual and the cosmos). Numinus also happened to be based on Whoopi Goldberg.
Numinus debut in 1989, which was right in the middle of Goldberg’s acting peak. It made sense that artists Jon Bogdanove and Gray Morrow would base one of the biggest celebrities of the time on a godlike being. Numinus is still part of Marvel’s cosmic side, but she’s been redesigned to look younger and less distinct.
9 Jackson KirbyJack Kirby
Created by Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld admired Jack Kirby so much that he designed one of his characters after the legendary artist. The hero in question was Jackson Kirby: the Prophet’s deputy and the cigar-chomping leader of the Berzerkers. As well-intentioned as Liefeld was, his lack of subtlety in honoring the king was hardly to be taken seriously.
Jackson Kirby seemed more like a ridiculously badass and youthful caricature of Jack Kirby than a respectful tribute. The fact that Jackson Kirby was also an apparent clone of Cable in his looks, backstory, and purpose didn’t exactly add to his negative reception. Jackson Kirby was another example of Liefeld’s highly polarizing artistic legacy.
8th Wesley Gibson/The Killer II (Eminem)
Created by Mark Millar and JG Jones
In Wanted, spineless Wesley Gibson discovered he was the son of legendary assassin The Killer. Given Wesley’s suppressed anger and newfound ego, it made sense that he looked like Eminem. This was especially true as the iconic rapper was best known for reflecting his anger and insecurities in his lyrics.
However, basing Wesley on Eminem seemed more cynical than artistic. Author Mark Millar has often been accused of using his comics as backdoor movie pitches. “Wanted” was no exception, especially as far as the “casting” of Halle Berry as Fox is concerned. Now that there’s a Wanted movie, Wesley had no reason to resemble Eminem. He lost that resemblance in the Millarverse crossover Big Game.
7 Modern Peacemaker (John Cena)
Created by Joe Gil and Pat Boyette
It’s no exaggeration to say that John Cena’s appearance as the DC Extended Universe’s Peacemaker changed everything about the character. Originally, Peacemaker (who never had a solo appearance) was indistinguishable from the countless self-serious tough guys of comics. But after The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, Christopher Smith was redesigned to look and act like Cena.
Recently, Peacemaker has inherited the physique, bravery, and immaturity of his live-action counterpart. This came to a head in Peacemaker Tries Hard! (written by Kyle Starks and illustrated by Steve Pugh), where he found himself drawn to just being Cena. Given the popularity of the DCEU Peacemaker, Cena’s likeness will likely become a permanent feature of Peacemaker.
6 President Calvin Ellis/Earth-23 Superman (Barack Obama)
Created by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnk
When Barack Obama became President of the United States in 2008, there was a sense of hope and optimism around the world. Superhero comics were quick to capitalize on this, either giving Obama a cameo or literally turning him into a superhero. Obama’s most famous superhuman tribute was the Superman of Earth-23, Pres. CalvinEllis.
Originally, Pres. Ellis was just a one-time tribute to Obama. He wasn’t even named back then, so readers just accepted that Obama was Earth-23’s Superman. Pres. Ellis disappeared after helping stop the Final Crisis. But since the New 52, he’s been given a bigger role in the DC Universe and his character has been fleshed out.
5 “Wee Hughie” Campbell (Simon Pegg)
Created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson
When artist Darick Robertson created the concept for Wee Hughiue Campbell, the protagonist of The Boys, he deliberately cast Simon Pegg in the role. Robertson loved “Spaced” and felt that Pegg’s performance as Tim Bisley was exactly what author Garth Ennis wanted when writing Hughie as a youthfully naïve but morally unshakable hero.
Pegg loved to be inspired by Hughie but confessed he was too old to portray him in live action. Instead, he was cast as Hughie’s bumbling but well-meaning father on the Amazon Prime hit series The Boys. Pegg also voiced Hughie in the episode of The Boys Presents: Diabolical, which recreated Robertson’s original art, including Pegg as Hughie.
4 John ConstantineSting
Created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben
John Constantine was a rebellious, anti-establishment magician, so it only made sense that his performance would be based on someone as iconoclastic as Sting. The music legend became Constantine’s reference because creators Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben were fans of The Police. Sting even gave them his blessing.
Moore based Constantine on Sting because he wanted to counter the stereotypical wise old magician. His solution was to “cast” someone as young and working class as Sting for the role. Moore’s idea worked perfectly. Even when Constantine was changed to resemble actor Matt Ryan, he still resembled Sting enough that nothing significant changed.
3 The Ultimate Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)
Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Allred based on the original character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The Ultimate Nick Fury is the most recognizable superhero based on a celebrity. Previously, Ultimate Nick Fury had an original design. But when artist Bryan Hitch drew him in the poorly aged The Ultimates, he redesigned Fury to look like Samuel L. Jackson. Alongside Jackson’s performance, Ultimate Fury took over his badass aura on screen.
Jackson reportedly allowed this in exchange for being guaranteed Fury’s role in the live action. Jackson debuted as Fury in the now-iconic post-credits scene of Iron Man. Since then, Jackson and Fury have become inseparable. It got to the point where the main Marvel continuity effectively replaced the original White Fury with its Ultimate counterpart.
2 Misty Knight & Monica Rambeau (Pam Grier)
Misty Knight created by Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones, Monica Rambeau created by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr.
Pam Grier was so iconic she inspired two Marvel superheroes. The first was the iconic Misty Knight. Her performance was based on Grier, while her personality was a mix of Grier’s characters and Blackbelt Jones. Monica Rambeau (aka Photon) followed suit, although her closest similarities to Grier were toned down before her debut.
What made this so important was that Grier was one of the most influential black actors in history. Grier made a name for herself portraying some of the strongest black women of all novels. Such was Grier’s influence and impact that not only did she inspire two Marvel heroes, but they became as culturally significant and groundbreaking as she was.
1 John StewartSidney Poitier
Created by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams
John Stewart wasn’t just the most iconic Green Lantern; He was also one of the most historically significant superheroes ever created. Stewart was DC Comics’ first black superhero and one of its most influential black superheroes. Given his legacy, it’s not too surprising to know that Stewart is based on legendary actor Sidney Poitier.
Poitier was a master actor and an admirable political figure. He paved the way for black actors to become movie stars and fought for equality. Stewart has a similarly groundbreaking legacy and influence in comics. He defied the racial stereotypes of his time, fought for social justice in his stories, and inspired subsequent black superheroes.
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