10 Marvel and DC characters who debuted on screen before appearing in comics

While Wonder and CC have built entire movie franchises based on popular comic book characters, the movies and shows have also had an impact on the comic book side, with some original characters of their own. THE Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

made the most popular and profitable superhero genre films of all time, but it wasn't just fame and fortune that the MCU returned to Marvel. The extensive range of stories spanning over a decade has created popular new characters who now appear in comics.

Likewise, the UDC

DC's former TV and movie properties were responsible for introducing some of DC's most interesting and popular characters today, who now star in their own comics. These characters have the unique privilege of being among the few among thousands who came from the other side and, through their simple likeability, become a staple in comics. From super powerful to super funny, these are some of the incredible characters made for TV, film and radio, before being adapted into comics.

10

Kahori

First appearance: Marvel's What If?... Season 2

What if from Marvel?... was responsible for bringing some incredibly unique and interesting new concepts to the MCU, but it also debuted a new Marvel character. In And if...? In Season 2, Kahhori plays a central role in the series when the Mohawk woman falls into a magical lake and becomes imbued with superpowers. And although the MCU has introduced a number of other original characters to Marvel Comics, Kahhori has the distinct privilege of being the first new superhero to come from the MCU.

Her first appearance in Marvel Comics was in a new series starring the character, published in late 2024. However, now that the character has had their first official appearance, there are plenty of opportunities for them to crossover with the rest of Marvel Comics and potentially live-action films in the coming years. For now, she remains one of the newest additions to Marvel's lineup.

9

Wonder Twins

First Appearance: The New Superfriends Hour

The Wonder Twins fall into the category of weird superheroes whose powers exclude them from many other mainstream stories, but can be a fun addition to many stories. Twins Zan and Jayna are aliens who have the power to transform into anything. However, his powers come with a significant caveat. The pair need to be physically touching each other to activate their powers. Obviously, this can create challenges if they are members of a high-profile superhero team like the Justice League.

However, when they were first introduced in 1977 as part of the The new hour of superfriendsthey made enough of an impression to transition the show into comics. The Wonder Twins tend to be aimed at a younger audience, which means they haven't been a big hit for DC, but with some revamps and improvements over the years, the characters are now a frequent part of DC's story universe.

8

John Diggle

First Appearance: Arrow

The Arrowverse was one of the best and most exciting television adaptations of superhero stories, with interconnected shows that created an interesting multiverse on the small screen. But even before they started working on big crossovers and events like Crisis on Infinite Earths, the flagship show, Arrow, was making waves at DC. Most notably, this happened when the show introduced a character named John Diggle, who worked closely with Oliver Queen.

However, while it may seem like Diggle played a pivotal role in Oliver Queen's life, in a role that is somewhat similar to Jimmy Olsen for Superman, or Robin for Batman, Diggle didn't exist before the show began. The character was created to help elevate Queen from an isolated vigilante whose popularity in the comics was never astronomical, to a hero more akin to the mainstream supers. And that's exactly what Diggle did, elevating Green Arrow's status as a hero and growing to become a hero in his own right.

7

fire star

First appearance: Spider-Man and his amazing friends

In 1981, Marvel introduced a new hero through the animated program, Spider-Man and his incredible friends. Angelica Jones, also known as Firestar, has the ability to manipulate heat and microwave radiation. Applying the opposites-attract ideology to the character, Firestar initially appeared in the series as a former member of the X-Men, and someone who had been very close, and possibly even romantically involved, with Iceman.

The series wanted to use the character The Human Torch, but at the time they hoped to write a story with the character, the usage rights were tied up. So, the creatives behind the show decided to introduce a new hero with a similar power set, and as a result, Firestar was born. Now, the character has appeared in comics for decades with several other superteams and solos.

6

Jimmy Olsen

First appearance: The Adventures of Superman (1940 Radio Show)

Although many of these characters were created decades after comic books took hold in popular media, DC Comics and Marvel Comics began operating under different names in the 1930s. DC Comics was originally known as National Comics Publication, and it wasn't until around 1940 that it became better known as DC Comics, and better known for superhero stories, including the incredible Superman.

At the same time, Superman was proving to be a popular hero in various forms of media, and almost as soon as he appeared in the comicsit has been adapted into special films serialized in theaters and radio programs. This was the same period that a radio show featured Clark Kent's best friend, Jimmy Olsen. Today it's difficult to imagine a version of Superman's story without Olsen, but it was only in the radio version that the character existed.

5

Agent Phil Coulson

First appearance: Iron Man

Back in the MCU, another iconic character who proved popular enough to build another TV series and introduce into the comics was Agent Phil Coulson. The MCU had plans for an interconnected set of films, but in 2008, there was no guarantee that something like that would pay off. However, as a way of laying the groundwork for the shared universe, Phil Coulson was introduced as an agent of the super-secret government agency SHIELD was hired to do recruitment work that was below Nick Fury's salary.

Phil Coulson was initially a fairly unassuming agent, but over the course of his time in the MCU, he became a dear friend to the Avengers before his untimely death at the hands of Loki in The Avengers. This incident can be seen as the moment when the heroes formed a team and chose to avenge the fallen. Outside of the MCU films Coulson was revived and led the show Agents of SHIELDwhere he became head of the agency. And on top of that, Coulson is now a major character in Marvel Comics.

4

X-23

First appearance: X-Men: Evolution

Although X-23's most famous appearance outside of the comics was in the 2017 film Loganand then again in Deadpool and Wolverinehis first appearance also happened outside of the comics. Laura Kinney was introduced in 2003 as part of X-Men: Evolutionswhere the character was seen to have powers remarkably similar to Wolverine's. Since then, the character has had her origins established, as a clone and adopted daughter of Wolverine.

Now, after Wolverine's death, X-23 has grown up to take his father's place and take on the role of Wolverine in the comics. This character is one of the most popular and highly regarded creations outside of comics. With his MCU debut in 2024, X-23 also has a bright future in the MCU as well as the comics.

3

Terry McGinnis

First appearance: Batman Beyond

The next hero was created specifically to pick up a legacy and carry the mantle forward within the DC Animated Universe. After the tremendous success of Batman: The Animated Seriesand the follow-up series, The new adventures of Batmanthe DCAU needed a revamp. Then, in 1999, Batman Beyond it was conceived as a way to give the hero a complete makeover. Now, a much younger man named Terry McGinnis would don a sleek, futuristic version of the batsuit.

Although he is commonly called Batman, this new incarnation of the hero is better known as Batman Beyond. His access to technology and his own engineering skills are considerably more advanced than Bruce Wayne's rudimentary knowledge, but his combat and martial arts skills are not as refined. However, even with these changes, McGinnis became Gotham's newest protector.

2

King Madisynn

First appearance: She-Hulk: Lawyer

Initially, the name Madisynn King may not sound like anything, but for those who watched She-Hulk: Lawyerthe quote "Madisynn is two N's, one Y, but it's not where you think!" will no doubt immediately bring the character to mind. Madisynn is not someone who possesses powers, and by many accounts her presence in the series is a coincidence, but as seen countless times before, when a character is charismatic and likable enough, it doesn't matter how they started out.

Madisynn played a small part, and was likely only included for comedic effect, but due to the actress' incredible performance and incredibly memorable moments with Wong, she solidified her place in the Marvel Universe. Since appearing on the show, Madisynn has been adapted into Marvel Comics in And if...? Poison #3. This is a testament to the character's popularity and almost guarantees her return in the future of the MCU and comics.

1

Harley Quinn

First appearance: Batman: The Animated Series

Finally, the most popular comic book character created outside of comics has to be Harley Quinn. Harley has a rich history and backstory that was fleshed out in the comics, but her journey from Joker's lovable sidekick to a badass antihero in her own right has been playing out on screen since her inception. Harley Quinn debuted in 1992 Batman: The Animated Serieswhere the character was dressed in her classic red and black jester costume.

However, in 1993, she officially joined DC Comics and her journey of self-actualization began. Since her debut, Harley has split from the Joker, found new love, joined other teams of villains and antiheroes, and even fought her old flame. Harley remains one of the most popular characters both in comics, with countless different series and stories featuring the character, and in live-action and other media. With so many great contributions to the Marvel and DC Comics lineup, it's exciting to see who might be introduced next.

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