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Some of the outstanding comic book theatrical role of all meter have come to life-time within the pages ofMarvel Comics . Marvel has a knack for unpaired creativity , consistently setting the bar for original characters . Icons like Spider - Man , the Avengers , and the X - human beings helped define the superhero genre , shaping its news report and conventions . Their wallop cemented Stan Lee as a plant father of comics — even beyond his more widely recognized contribution .
That being said , while characters from Marvel legends like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were doubtless original , even the most unequalled founding are inspired by something or someone . Every creator suck from some form of inspiration — without it , thought can not take flesh . In many typesetter’s case , creators found their case on literal - life people . This can mean that a character embodies the qualities and ideal of their breathing in ( such as great power or resilience ) or , more directly , that an creative person models a role ’s physical visual aspect after a real individual . Marvel has used this approach on multiple occasions .
10Donald Glover Inspired Miles Morales
Miles Morales: Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli
The journey to bringing theMarvel Universe ’s preferent Spider - Manto the page was anything but conventional . In a since - deleted 2010 tweet , Donald Glover jokingly threw his name into the slipstream to be Sony ’s next Spider - Man before the role ultimately went to Andrew Garfield . In his 2012Weirdocomedy special , Glover admit he never expect it to pass , but the mere mind of a Black man playing Spider - Man spark off controversy . This , in turn , inspired an online bowel movement campaigning for Glover ’s casting — a second by and by reference when he wore Spider - Man pyjama onCommunity .
By conjunction , as Brian Michael Bendis was developing an African - American Spider - Man — an idea he had been planning since just before Barack Obama ’s 2008 election — he occur to see thatCommunityepisode . As he told USA Today in a since - blue-pencil audience , he thought Glover“looked fantastic,”providing his creative squad with the strong-arm inspiration for Miles Morales ’ appearance .
As Troy Barnes , Donald Glover don his Spider - Man pajamas inCommunity’ssecond time of year during the season premiere episode,“Anthropology 101 . "
9Ann-Margret Inspired Mary-Jane Watson
Mary-Jane Watson: Created by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and John Romita Sr.
Ann - Margret , a two - time Oscar nominee , was at the meridian of her fame as a 1960s and 70s - era starlet . A Golden Globe and Emmy winner , she was once considered a Hollywood thunderbolt — so it ’s no surprise that Stan Lee and his teamdrew divine guidance from Ann - Margretwhen envisioning Peter Parker ’s own neighborhood bombshell .
More specifically , MJ ’s strong-arm appearance was direct inspired by Ann - Margret ’s role inBye Bye Birdie . The 1963 musical theater follows a sway star drafted into the military , and in her breakout office , Ann - Margret plays Kim McAfee , a superfan who gain a competition to have the ace serenade her on leg before his exit . Much like MJ , Kim has a girl - next - door charm while gambol strikingly red hair .
8Samuel L. Jackson Inspired Modern-Day Nick Fury
The Modern, Ultimate Nick Fury: Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Allred
Not to be confused with the original Nick Fury created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963 , this refers to the rendering introduced inThe Ultimatesin 2001 . With the launch of a new universe , Ultimate Marvel had limitless voltage to reinvent classic characters . One of the biggest change was reimagining Nick Fury as a Black man who endure such a striking resemblance to Samuel L. Jacksonthat even Fury himself acknowledges it in the comics .
The character ’s popularity finally get Jackson ’s tending , lead to him formally depict Furyin the MCU . Meanwhile , Marvel later introduced a character with Jackson ’s visual alikeness into Earth-616 — Nick Fury Jr. , the Word of the original . With the elder Fury now retire , the Sam Jackson - inspired Fury Jr. has taken over his father ’s office .
Nick Fury Jr. was created by Matt Fraction , Chris Yost , Scot Eaton , Cullen Bunn , and Paul Neary , and debuts in 2012’sBattle Scars#1 .
7Pam Grier Inspired Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau: Created by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr.
Whether readersknow her best as Captain Marvel or Photon , Monica Rambeau has always been unapologetically herself . Her unmatched grit and decision echo the attitude of Pam Grier ’s most iconic Blaxploitation - era character , such as Coffy and Foxy Brown , as well as Jackie Brown from Quentin Tarantino ’s flick . Unsurprisingly , it was that same toughness and attitude that helped impart Monica to the page .
In the 2008 bookModern Masters Volume 18 : John Romita Jr. ,Romita admits he originally used“some reference on Pam Grier , because I always love her . ”Unfortunately , those above him felt Grier “ was n’t as good - looking,”leading them to advance Romita to ground Monica ’s appearance on another , unnamed simulation rather . As a result , Monica ’s last design end up resembling , in Romita ’s words , a“generic disastrous character . ”
While this hero - in - question ’s still new to the MCU , and comparatively underrated , they ’ve already proven to be more than capable of submit down the Hulk !
6Paul D’Amato Inspired Wolverine
Wolverine: Created by Chris Claremont, Len Wein, Roy Thomas, John Romita Sr.
Paul D’Amato is best known for play Tim"Dr . Hook"McCracken in the Paul Newman hockey game filmSlap Shot . Like any other player see on the ice , McCracken was explosive , but what made him straightaway recognizable were his signature mouton chopper — thick sideburns that aid D’Amato stand out among a sea of cast member . His typical look left a live opinion on John Byrne , who used it as inspiration when designing Wolverine .
Wolverine ’s mutton chops have since become one of his most defining characteristics . Another touch trait ofLogan in the comics is his short stature , traditionally standing at 5'3 " . Whether intentional or not , this also aligns with the recent D’Amato , who was documented as being 5'7”—still short than the medium grownup male person .
5Jack Palance Inspired Morbius
Morbius: Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane
Jack Palance is a name deeply embedded in superhero culture , having play a bear role in Tim Burton ’s 1989Batman . Beyond his on - screen mien , the Oscar - advance actor also served as the physical inspiration forDarkseid in DC Comics . For Marvel , however , his alikeness help shape the appearance of Morbius , as reveal in a Comic - Art consultation with Gil Kane .
Ironically , three years after Kane quarter from Palance ’s features to plan the lamia antihero , Palance would take on one of his most revered roles — playing the titular character in a 1974 televise adjustment ofDracula , directed byDark Shadowscreator Dan Curtis . Since Morbius debuted in 1971 , this became a rare case of life-time simulate artistry rather than the other way around , with Palance portraying a vampire after his semblance had already inspired one in comics .
The forthcoming Blood Hunt consequence will give Morbius the prospect to save Earth , in the process at long last making him a Marvel outstanding .
4Menachem Begin Inspired Magneto & Yul Brynner Inspired Xavier
Magneto and Xavier: Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
It has long been conjecture that Charles"Professor X"Xavier and Magneto were model after Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X , respectively , using mutantkind as an apologue for the Civil Rights Movement . While this interpretation has resonated with readers , it is ultimately false . Though sport have always constitute the struggles of oppressed minority across various social backgrounds — whether backwash , sexuality , or otherwise — these two Civil Rights leader were not the foundation for Professor X or Magneto .
Professor X and Magneto may excellently be compare to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X , but the lawful inspiration comes from Israel , not America .
or else , during Chris Claremont ’s run , Magneto was inspired by former Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Menachem Begin , give way him a control yet morally complex mien . Meanwhile , Stan Lee took visual divine guidance for Professor X from actor Yul Brynner , lending Xavier his signature composed and intellectual demeanor .
It ’s worth observe that while Magneto ’s politics took intake from Begin , Xavier ’s took breathing in from David Ben - Gurion .
3Sydney Greenstreet Inspired Kingpin
Kingpin: Created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.
The name Sydney Greenstreet may not be forthwith familiar to most reader unless they are avid fans of definitive cinema , but the name Wilson Fisk is unmistakable in the Marvel Universe . Greenstreet is best remember for his part alongside Humphrey Bogart in the black - and - white classicsCasablancaandThe Maltese Falcon . The latter , in particular , saw him present a menacing , balding , and impose baddie — traits that dead describe the Kingpin .
John Romita Sr . was capable about Greenstreet ’s influence on Kingpin ’s design , a fact confirmed bySteve Chung on X. Additionally , American Comic Book Chronicles : 1965 - 1969by John Wells notes thatRomita also pull back inspiration from actor Robert Middleton , who was frequently sick as powerful , authorised figures — much like Fisk himself .
2Howard Hughes Inspired Iron Man
Tony Stark: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber, and Don Heck
call up for a moment about the defining qualities of the original Iron Man , Tony Stark : he ’s a billionaire , eccentric , a lord artificer , and has a tendency to corkscrew due to his alcohol addiction . Some may show this description and immediately think of Howard Hughes , the real number - life"Tony Stark"of his time , rather than the fictional Stark . InThe Ages of Iron Man : Essays on the Armored Avenger in Changing Times , it ’s note that Stan Lee himself admitted to draw inspiration from Hughes for Stark .
Iron Man infamously has a history with alcohol dependency , but as it turns out , imbibition is still not the addiction that truly haunts him to this Clarence Day .
Moreover , while Lee acknowledged Hughes ' influence , artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby are also said to have looked to the swaggering moving picture star Errol Flynn for inspiration . combine all of these constituent give rise to the iconic and uncomparable character of Iron Man .
1Stan Lee Inspired J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson: Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Even the godfather of Marvel , Stan Lee , served as brainchild for one of his own character . While Lee and Jack Kirby often made cameo appearance in Marvel comic strip , they usually played themselves . However , in this lawsuit , a lineament took direct breathing in from Stan"the Man"himself : J. Jonah Jameson , the tyrannical boss of The Daily Bugle .
residuum assured , true believers , this does n’t think of Stan was oppressive himself . But if he had a hand in creating the eccentric , he for certain knew how to poke fun at his own personality . In an interview with NPR , Lee explained that he come up with Jameson by asking,“If I were a grumpy , irritable man , which I am sometimes , how would I act?“This self - referential humour led to the initiation of one ofMarvel’smost hilariously over - the - top case , a long - live on contribution from Lee to his publication company .
reference : Modern Masters Volume 18 : John Romita Jr. by George Khoury and Eric Nolen - Weathington , Comic - Art , Steve Chung on X , American Comic Book Chronicles : 1965 - 1969by John Wells , The Ages of Iron Man : essay on the Armored Avenger in change Timesby Joseph J. Darowski , NPR
