Batman Copycats: The Biggest Dark Knight Rip-offs

Have you ever noticed how Batman seems to have a fan club of vigilantes who took 'be like Batman' a bit too literally? Today, we're diving into the wild world of Batman copycats. Some are cool, some are, well... you’ll see.
Yes, we're talking about the Green Arrow and his ‘Arrowcave’ (yes, that's a thing), and even Darkwing Duck, because who doesn't love a duck in a cape? So, let's get into this bizarre bat-world of imitators, inspirations, and outright rip-offs.
And hey, don't forget to hit us up in the comments with your thoughts, or any bat-wannabes we might have missed!
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#Batman #dccomics

[@variant]

Who is your favorite Batman Copycat?

[@kingshadow8782]

Wow!

[@kingshadow8782]

Nice.

[@kingshadow8782]

Midnighter!

[@broken.weeaboo]

Moon Knight, Midnighter, Nemesis, Nighthawk

[@jessemillan1385]

Moon Knight 🌙

[@andlol2558]

I really like how in the Arrow CW series they call the Arrow Cave "Bunker" which sounds way better and original

[@asdasasdas3476]

The quiver would be more fun

[@astonprice-lockhart7261]

@@asdasasdas3476 Yeah Harley was incredibly correct on that one!

[@gamermixy.t3664]

Yeah

[@jls19831]

In all fairness, Darkwing Duck is more of a rip off of The Shadow.

[@paulstokowski1466]

Yep. Even his design was based on him.

[@marvinonstage]

I was going to say thay too.

[@wyofett1412]

Technically Batman is a ripoff of The Shadow

[@Jason-tz7ir]

Umm... No...

[@scottmiller3930]

I don't know if I agree. Originally Darkwing was supposed to be Double 0 Duck, but because of the success of the Batman movie he became what we know today.

[@zaxthedestroyer675]

Batman: Let's get nuts! Darkwing Duck: Let's get dangerous!

[@terrybradford3727]

I was about to say the same thing.

[@Morgil27]

The thing I love about the Green Arrow/Batman similarities is how a lot of of modern depictions will straight-up acknowledge the connections. For example, when the Arrowverse first mentioned Batman's existence in that universe, Ollie got super pissed off and defensive, being like "Hey, I did the whole dark vigilante thing first!"

[@KadeStringer2.0]

I mean in the arrowverse he kinda did

[@volkanyukselen2220]

​@@KadeStringer2.0Not really, CW Oliver Queen began his career in 2012 as the Hood while Bats was already a known vigilante a decade earlier.

[@InvokedAlbaz]

The show, “Gotham” shows Bruce being a crime fighter at 15 but doesnt yet have the Batsuit. Oliver was still in the city before being stranded.

[@volkanyukselen2220]

@@InvokedAlbaz That's a different continuity though

[@comiccid1]

you forgot darkwing from invincible.

[@dexstarr1255]

And somehow tek knight from the boys.

[@ahc1230]

Daredevil is more of a Batman than Batman. He has no vision and relies on echolocation (almost like a real bat)

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

Dorkly has a video about heroes with wrong names: Ghost Rider should be Daredevil, Daredevil should be Batman.

[@jeuryrabassa4724]

And he's one of my top personal favorite Marvel characters.

[@jonathanchila6414]

Bats can see as good as us... They just fly at night so it's dark

[@jeuryrabassa4724]

@jonathanchila6414 Until they can't. And DD, as bilnd as he is, he is capable of achieving even greater feats than the average human being with his own super human powers and senses. And like Batman, he was also trained as a ninja, and he's considered to be one of the best and greatest martial artists and hand-to-hand combatants in comic book history. And he's a really good lawyer.

[@stillbreezing5330]

So, the similaries end cause DD' actually a working stiff. Imagine, fighting crime all nite then having to do court cases😮

[@broken.weeaboo]

You should do a list of Superman copycats and ripoffs if you haven't already

[@Bdot773]

Omni man Homelander Shazam Black Adam Ikaris eternals Sentry Hyperion All might Goku Icon The Samaritan from Astro City Blue marvel Captain marvel Mr majestic Martian man hunter Saitama Superman is also my favorite superhero !!!

[@FlexStyleZ]

Superman sucks

[@Bdot773]

@@FlexStyleZ everyone has their own opinion but I know he would beat your favorite hero or villain

[@FlexStyleZ]

@@Bdot773 idc. wouldn’t make that outdated old relic interesting

[@vasp99]

Superman was copied directly off of Doc Savage and a number of other pulp characters .

[@InvisibleAvenger]

It's pretty clear cut that the Shadow is the direct inspiration for Batman. In fact the very first Batman story is taken whole cloth from the Shadow story "Partners of Peril", artwork from that story was even used for the first Batman comic. Also notable is that the Shadow is described as appearing bat-like several times in the story. More fun facts, the Shadow was referred to as The Knight of Darkness long before Batman was the Dark Knight. Special mention for Doc Savage and his utility vest. More can be said about the Man if Bronze and his Fortress of Solitude later. Special mention for the Phantom, general costume inspiration as well as tragic backstory inspiration. Street & Smith, the publishers of the Shadow, did not mind creating their own copycats. One such character was the Whisperer aka Police Commisioner James "Wildcat" Gordon. The Whisperer's solo magazine did not last long but stories continued in the back up pages of THE SHADOW MAGAZINE. Even more fun facts -- the same month Batman debuted in comics a pulp magazine publisher debuted their own bat-themed copycat of the Shadow called the Black Bat. One more thing, the whole rich guy secretly being a hero thing is the creation of Baroness Orczy, I like to think of her as the godmother of super hero stories, Baroness Orczy created the Scarlet Pimpernel

[@richoffmaeling]

That’s really cool

[@Gooberguy8705]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the CW Green Arrow. Everything to do with the League of Shadows and Ra's Al Ghul, it was so painfully obvious they wanted to do Batman, but didn't have the rights. Also the tone of the show was very much Batman.

[@batatinhacomics]

They even create a whole Batfamily, I mean, Arrowfamily for Oliver. It is indeed painfully obvious.

[@akilbrazier1421]

Yea and Oliver was even dark and brooding behind closed doors but put on a playboy act for the public to divert people away from learning his identity….. just like Batman lol

[@zzirfamo24]

It’s like you guys don’t know anything abt green arrow lmfao

[@habidomusic]

@@zzirfamo24What makes you say that?

[@grahamcann1761]

I started reading comics in the 60s (so yeah, old,) and I remember when Green Arrow went from rich playboy to broke champion of the people, and I thought (think) it was brilliant. And I remember a later story where-in a rich guy had bought the Queen mansion, and discovered the cave. He threatened to tell Oliver Queen's, I'll tell people you're... BATMAN! (he saw the cave, and came to the wrong conclusion) It was a great story. As always thank you so very much for the videos.

[@mustang8206]

Personally I enjoy the rich Green Arrow. I like the fantasy escape of imagining what life would be like if you got to be super rich and a cool superhero

[@akilbrazier1421]

So was the Green Arrow stuff still in the cave when the guy bought the mansion or was it just a big blank cave that the guy discovered? Because if Oliver forgot to clean the place out first, what an idiot 😂

[@grahamcann1761]

@@akilbrazier1421No, the GA stuff was "cleaned-out", which was why the guy thought it was the Batcave, and Queen had been going from there to nearby city Gotham to be Batman. (As near as I recall from over fifty years ago (never trust memory).)

[@memoriesofthefuture4804]

I gotta respect how Black Noir swiftly dodged this list lol

[@JustComix-zw4bc]

AWA Comics has one. The Knight from a book called Knighted. They didn't even hide it, it was part of the fun of the book.

[@marvinonstage]

And dont forget BLUE FALCON & DINOMUTT! Who actually did a lot of detective work.

[@johnlawful2272]

He got updated in a Scooby-Doo animated film

[@marvinonstage]

Yeah. Pretty good too.

[@KadeStringer2.0]

@@johnlawful2272it’s not canon

[@johnlawful2272]

@@KadeStringer2.0 yeah I thought it was cool it was just a movie about the getting modernized

[@jaimemoreno9408]

The way you slowed down to put emphasis the first time you said DARK... WING... DUCK... perfect. Just perfect.

[@elijahzilla619]

No, he’s probably more inspiring than Batman like the dark wing duck is actually basically just a parody of Batman

[@animarium1249]

Dark wing is The Shadow parody.

[@pound14poundking]

All copy cats of the original which is ZORRO where Batman got his inspiration

[@marvinonstage]

THANK YOU!!!! EXACTLY! A ONE TO ONE RIP OFF!

[@lanrek.odunlami9470]

Nice point. But who came first, Zorro or the Shadow?

[@pound14poundking]

@@lanrek.odunlami9470 zorro he was created and I inspired by juaquim mureita a Mexican American who took revenge on the men that raped and killed his wife and family they called him a fox because he got away and rode black horse and black poncho history doesn’t tell you that

[@localhobo5362]

@@lanrek.odunlami9470 Zorro came first. Batman is essentially a combination of both of them

[@lanrek.odunlami9470]

@@localhobo5362 Yeah.

[@bluekirby64]

Well Knuckle duster is apparently the Batman of My Hero Academia According to the Vigilante Manga of course the only similarities that I saw between Batman and Knuckle Duster is there both Vigilantes without superpowers

[@johnlawful2272]

I think he's based off frank Miller batman

[@kidflasher]

Brother went from being The Flash to Batman, very cool

[@DemonzBarberTodd]

Don't forget Catman, He's an Old school rip off of Batman 😸😸😸

[@natty187]

​@Horopter catman is dc comic character

[@quentinfogger5755]

What about Marvel's Shroud?

[@alessandrobaggi6129]

​@@quentinfogger5755Shroud is basically "dark Moon Knight" minus the different personalities.

[@Battinson]

so ripoff batman @@alessandrobaggi6129

[@raidenstark315]

On the fairly oddparents he was played by adam west

[@stillbreezing5330]

Great summary. You nailed all points. I knw there still more out there. Id like to mention two. The obscure Fox, from Dark Horse comics, i think, and the Green Hornet. That was so obvious, they even squared off in the campy Batman tv show.

[@peterdavisau]

Great mention of Nemesis! Would love to hear you guys talk about Millarworld more often. Their recent Big Game crossover event was amazing!

[@cosmici2261]

Batman is arguably the greatest character in DC Comics.

[@FriendlyBatDoom]

Batman is the GOAT 🐐 of DC comics. With only Superman being a close second.

[@willjohnboy]

Correction all of comics

[@Tribrid-zv3nq]

Batman and Superman

[@mrfunatparties6763]

Very arguably. Has fake feelings, won't kill those who deserve it, somehow can beat one of the strongest people.

[@DelusionalThomas18]

In all of comics id say

[@totalcreativegaming6681]

Other honourable mentions would be Black Noir from The Boys & Darkwing from Invincible, and I guess you could also jokingly say Bartman & Fruit-Batman from the Simpsons

[@stevegallo8483]

Ted Kord's Blue Beetle not being on the list is a big miss. You mentioned him when talking about Night Owl, but Kord's Blue Beetle has a lot in common with Batman. There's also Hanna Barbera's Blue Falcon.

[@nathanlink169]

Waiting for the edit from Dar Knight to Dark Knight

[@carlhita1897]

How about the Confessor-Astro City?

[@geribaldi2]

Do love that Green Arrow has a sense of humor. And accepts Harleys name suggestion for the Arrow Cave. Yes, Injustice Universe but still..

[@jaymz010]

Green Arrow is more a modern day Robin Hood. Darkwing Duck more The Shadow And Batman is basically a rip-off of Zorro. Both rich dudes with no powers. Zorro even has a cave HQ under his hacienda

[@shmac96]

You failed to mention that DWD got a sort of a power from a genie in a back story episode where he wished for the power to appear anywhere at anytime in a dramatic fashion. Its why smoke/fog would appear first and then reveal him. Cant believe I remember that. So in this way a little more like The Shadow.

[@trvaron]

I know that you mentioned Darkwing Duck, but what about Darkwing from the Invincible universe?

[@manuelvelez7777]

Darkwing duck: let's get dangerous Batman: let's get nuts Prince: let's go crazy

[@user-vl2ig6bz6c]

Killcat from Erik Larsen's savage dragon deserves an honorable mention

[@notakirakarakaza2118]

"I am the jailer that throws aways the key" goes so god damn hard

[@johnrife7134]

Shadow hawk

[@jonathanstern99]

Wait i assumed lets get dangerous was a riff on lets get nuts from Batman 89

[@zaxthedestroyer675]

Dont forget the batman copycats within dc

[@esdraseze2066]

watch the vid goofball

[@sunniedunbar6889]

Batman appeared in one of the Spider’s pulp novels years earlier (as a villain) and shares many similarities to the Spider both in and out of costume (the Shadow comparisons always annoy me).

[@davehandelman2832]

WAAAAAAAAAY too short. Shadow Hawk, Prometheus.... The list goes ON!

[@santoslss]

I would mention Daredevil. He has a lot elements that came from Batman. His motivarion came from the death of his father; the uniform in order to input fear in the heart of the criminals; more a vigilant than a heroe...never laugh...

[@Anto_85571]

Maybe Green Arrow should change him main vehicle to something like an advance, hight tech plane. He could even call it the "Arrow-plane"

[@slake9727]

He already had that.

[@anerrantknight8077]

Moon Knight is actually more from The Shadow than Batman (at least until Dixon’s Marc Spector: Moon Knight series). Former merc, believed dead, only to return with new ‘powers,’ uses a cover ID as a wealthy socialite as his primary identity, uses a pilot (instead of a taxi driver), uses cover IDs to stay informed at different levels of society, etc.

[@mrzaphf]

Nice vids It would be nice if you have listed the traits on which you based your self at the beginning for a "plus value" and be more engaging with the comment's peoples. Keep on the good work guys!

[@UCONN_HUSKIES]

Dark wing duck! 🤩

[@diddymuck]

Mr. Scarlet, Firebrand, The Owl, Black Owl, Daredevil (WW2 version), The Clock, Knight Watchman, The Sandman, The Hangman, The Shroud, The Fox, The Black Hood, The Web, The Badger, The Angel (WW2)

[@NotHunter23]

Next Moon Knight is gonna end up having a moon cave

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

2:37 He also has an Arrowplane as well similar to the Batwing

[@Anto_85571]

How about Night Thrasher?

[@quentinfogger5755]

Oh yeah, forgot about him

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

Darkwing Duck

[@josephadelhardt5669]

Of all Batman-like characters, Spawn is the best one. They both wear dark suits. Glide in the air with their capes. Deal with cops that are against them from time to time. Even have clowns as enemies/villains.

[@martinbauzon7450]

Happy spring VC!

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

4:55 Another one I remember was I am the rat that runs up your trouser leg

[@ViIgax]

Iron Man (first appeared in 1963) is the biggest ripoff of Batman (1939). Batman and Ironman are both wealthy individuals who use their resources and intellect to fight crime. They both rely on technology and have alter egos as billionaires. Seriously, if Batman were to start using an armor like Iron Man's, there wouldn't be any difference between them. Marvel sure likes plagiarizing DC.

[@quentinfogger5755]

Can you do history of Cyclone, Rhino, Sandman, Chameleon, Scorpion and the Human Fly along with Kurt Connors the Lizard. Also can you do the history of the Flash Villains like Turtle, Magenta, Cobalt Blue, Mirror Master and Top?

[@richardschatz9992]

Lee Falk's 1936 Phantom predates Batman by three years. The original Phantom s parents are killed by pirates, and he swears an oath to combat piracy and evildoers in general. His costume is similar, and he has his Skull cave. More than a few people think that Batman is a Phantom knockoff. Also, the Watchmen are based on the Charleton comic book characters which DC acquired when they went out of business. In that universe Blue Beetle was the Batman knockoff and Captain Atom was the Superman knockoff.

[@W1ckedRcL]

I would've added Rorschach from Watchmen too. Also, aren't the Watchmen now known to be the heroes a universe builds for itself when it doesn't have a Superman? Isn't that why Dr Manhattan created the New 52? Something about how the universe requires Superman to exist in order to exist?

[@johngilbert8199]

Thank you, I'm so tired of the "Moon Knight is a batman copy" narrative. This was awesome, esp the honorable mentions at the end.

[@Cornyboa]

as much as i adored arrow , i couldn’t stand how they made him act just like batman instead of the smart ass lighthearted oliver queen from the comics /DCAU . You also forgot Darkwing from invincible

[@FriendlyBatDoom]

One is UBER popular and the other isn't that's why.😊

[@user-pf7du9gi7c]

Ain't no way Harley just drops a banger name for Ollie's lair. The Quiver

[@acheman8836]

There are so many others. Wrath and Killer Moth for example. Speaking of Killer Moth, I could really see him getting the Peacemaker treatment in the DCU

[@phantomspectre2984]

forgot owlman, ironman, even blue beetle and he was mentioned in the video!

[@Tamelo_Itadori]

People be like Iron man ain't a Batman copy!💀🚮

[@RiderXtreme1]

Ah yes, Iron man is my favourite copy cat

[@9liveslie-cat-lie129]

Night Hawk isn't just an honorable mansion. He's a litteral copy.

[@DungeonBricks]

I would say Rorschach and Green Hornet also fit the list (although I'm not sure if the hornet is older than the bat). Favorite copycat though? I'll definitely have to go backwards, as El Zorro, El Fantasma (the Ghost), and The Scarlet Pimpernel were my first introduction to "superheroes"

[@awsomerebel55]

I would like to add No/One from Image comics and part of the Massive-verse. He is the most mysterious character in the series, using high tech and equipment to solve and stop crime while sticking to the shadows just like Batman. He isn't as prominent as the other copycats but I personally love him and how he is just a badass and probably the Batman of the new comic book universe from Image Comics.

[@CliffyDoesDallas]

Dc has always owned the midnighter. The OG midnighter was a lot better than the current version for me

[@wilmaspuppets]

Hanna Barbera made several copycats of Batman. The most famous was Space Ghost and one of the Herculoids.

[@Obi-ThreeKenobi]

Damn, Arris... you DO NOT age... your beard just gets better!

[@AnotherSWnerd]

Darkwing duck :Let's get dangerous Batman: you wanna get crazy?let's get crazy! Same energy imo😂

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

I was actually expecting you to list Blue Falcon from Hanna Barbera

[@Cervando]

The original Blue Beetle is a Batman ripoff, and in turn Moon Knight was influenced by both. The original Black Panther also was influenced by Bat Man.

[@monkeeeeey]

Moonknight isn't just a copycat, his powers, multiple personality disoder is very different

[@zzirfamo24]

Yup very different. Not to mention fighting styles, and morality aren’t the same either

[@blazingskull65]

Dude the entire Batman mythos originated and blatantly stolen from 2 movies the BAT 1926 and the MAN WHO LAUGHS 1928.

[@akilbrazier1421]

Another Batman copycat that wasn’t mentioned is Darkwing from Invincible

[@gamermixy.t3664]

There is also a dc character called " catman , he is 80% copy of batman , altho he lack some skills like detective and martial arts, he appeared in " batman: the Brave and bold

[@jonathanspivey437]

Interesting list. You do realise however that you left Moon Knight off, at least in part, for having powers. Next on your list after explaining that was Midnighter who has superstrength, a tactical computer thing in his head, and other enhancements that make him superhuman.

[@zzirfamo24]

Moonknight is not a copycat lmfao. Moonknight has actually powers, they don’t fight the same & there morally is not the same at all

[@zootopiawilson]

Moon Knight didn't always have superpowers. In his first solo series he more Batman like. A non-powered, cape wearing vigilante. His origin isn't like Batman's in that series, but any mystic connection to the moon god is very ambiguous and not played up.

[@batnick4433]

5:26 wasn’t Niteowl a replacement for Ted Lord’s Blue Beetle when DC wouldn’t allow Alan Moore to use the recently acquired Charlton Comics characters for Watchmen? Edit: nvm… you just covered that😅

[@vladimiralvarenga9144]

Moonknight also has alter egos like Bruce. And one of them is being a taxi driver civilian so Moonknight can work undercover as regular person n scout for criminals. And matches Malone is batmans disguise as a regular person in the criminal world to find info

[@elimunguia347]

Please do a video of the characters inspired by the Batman: Characters from classic literature to pulp magazines.

[@jackwimmer2249]

To me Darkwing Duck doesn’t count as a rip-off. His character is meant to parody Batman. This is shown in many different ways, including the comic book “The Duck Knight Returns” (reference to “The Dark Knight Returns”). It’s kind of like how Space Balls is a parody of Star Wars.

[@patriksnellman1550]

So every knock-off Batman design: Without ears and without a chest symbol. Sometimes a different color than black, grey or blue? Take off "No killing" rule and give him a gun. Tadaa! Brand new vigilante hero who definitely is not Batman! 🌚

[@nesvar922]

The closest thing for me to a 'Batman-vibe' comic in the Marvel Universe is Daredevil.

[@aohige]

Sad no mention of Knuckleduster and Captain Celebrity from MHA Vigilantes, two heroes who mentor the protagonist and are representation of Batman and Superman.

[@shanemcguire5347]

You're right about Green arrow he's also one of my favorite characters to but especially the Golden age era of Green arrow he was basically Batman with a bow and arrow I've often said about Green arrow is basically what if Batman and Robin Hood had a love child you would have green arrow

[@chaos3070]

Y'all forget Good Knight

[@codybanks8011]

I'm pretty sure it was revealed nemesis was just a rich guy that payed to be a super villain because he was bored? The whole backstory about the family was made up?

[@johngrehan8346]

My favourite Batman copycat is for me daredevil here So skilled on hearing from Great distance and martial arts with Amazing Reflexes

[@quentinfogger5755]

Can you do history of DC Despero since he is one of the biggest Justice League Villians from the Comics?

[@Slayerthecrow]

Despite being more of a Dark Version, I have to mention Owlman but I guess that *It doesn't matter*

[@theluckyshots2470]

What about Darkwing from Invincible? Does he count as a Batman copycat?

[@Dmassimini7]

What about the new cyborg guy from your variant comic?!

[@aaronmckenziepowell07]

Spring-heeled Jack is the first OG Batman

[@asilcastle]

I agree accept Darkwing isn't rich at all. He's a middle income single dad & his hideout is very bare. He doesn't have high tech stuff in there.

[@prestondavis544]

Yeah, but Bruce is about 10 or 12 years older than Oliver.😂

[@crimemastergogo7878]

There is a comic superhero from India call BAAZ ( literally means Falcon in Hindi language). He look exactly like Batman but without pointy horn or bat insignia. BAAZ is from 1990s era and at present he is no more in the comic Scene of India. He is MIA. Also back in the days when I was kid, I used to think that he was Batman of India. Good old innocent days before the internet. 😁

[@prestonanchang8220]

personally I always thought roarshach was the Batman spin-off in watchmen

[@leadingauctions8440]

Zorro: Batman even stole the Bat Cave from him.

[@niharg2011]

I agree with Harley tbh, Ollie should change his hideout's name to The Quiver

[@MbisonBalrog]

Never explained how Darkwing Duck got his wealth. Plus he lived in a house, not a mansion. Was he related to Scrooge McDuck?

[@kalphil4385]

Space Ghost comes to mind.

[@blackrex828]

Ooo I'll like to do a flip/rip-off of Nemesis for a character.