When you think about it, having your typical superhero hail from the deep reaches of outer space is a pretty nifty way to explain extra-normal powers and whatnot. But I bet the potency of the Superman myths as well as the long reach of DC's legal department kept many an enterprising young creator from using that easy method to explain why their hero could leap into the sky and survive bullet barrages and such stuff as that. Nonetheless there have been a goodly number of heroes who do come to Earth from the depths of outer space (sometimes inner space in fact) and this gallery brings you some of them. Not just the Guardians of the Galaxy (the darlings of the moment) and the long-suffering Captain Marvel, but many many more. Even including a certain Son of Krypton himself. Enjoy!
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| (Not a real cover. But a great character nonetheless.) |
NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post.
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Some great covers and some of my all time favourite character like E-Man and the Silver Surfer . I wonder if creators were indeed wary of infringing on DC in this way as I heard like Marvel, DC weren't shy to take legal action.
ReplyDeleteI think DC's hegemony over other characters diminished over the decades as they slipped into the number two position behind Marvel. Obvious homages like Omega and Wundarr were to some degree satires on the original concept. I think too that the younger talents at all the companies saw themselves as part of a larger community.
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