Buzz
While superheroes often seem like extraordinary beings with abilities beyond human reach, many of these iconic characters were actually inspired by real individuals. Discover the stories behind eight such heroes.
1. JOHN CONSTANTINE
John Constantine first appeared in The Saga of the Swamp Thing in 1985, with his likeness inspired by the Grammy-winning musician Sting. Artists Stephen R. Bissette and John Totleben, both avid fans of The Police and Sting's film work, suggested the idea to writer Alan Moore, leading to the creation of this iconic character.
"We started sketching Sting in the background of Swamp Thing as a fun little game," Bissette explained to The A.V. Club. "We were huge fans of The Police, and John adored Andy Summers. I was particularly drawn to Sting because of his striking features and my love for the film Quadrophenia. We told Alan, 'We're putting Sting in the comic, and you better turn him into a character because he’s not disappearing. We’ll keep making him more prominent, whether you like it or not.' And that’s how John Constantine came to be."
2. BATMAN
Batman
Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the creators of Batman, named Bruce Wayne after Robert the Bruce, the Scottish king, and Revolutionary War hero “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Finger once said, "Bruce Wayne’s first name was inspired by Robert the Bruce, the Scottish leader. Since Wayne was a playboy from a wealthy family, I wanted a name that evoked a colonial feel. I considered names like Adams and Hancock before settling on Mad Anthony Wayne."
3. CATWOMAN
In 1940, Batman creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane introduced Catwoman, initially called The Cat, to bring a mix of allure and intrigue to their comics. She was designed as a charming adversary who balanced crime with romance, adding depth to Batman’s otherwise rigid world. Catwoman’s look was inspired by Jean Harlow, whom Kane described as the epitome of "sensuous feminine beauty."
4. THE FLASH
In 1956, writer Robert Kanigher crafted The Flash/Barry Allen (Silver Age) by blending the names of two famous talk show hosts. Barry Gray, a pioneer in radio hosting, and Steve Allen, the original host of The Tonight Show and later The Steve Allen Show, served as the inspiration for the character’s name.
5. SHAZAM!
DC Comics/eBay
Originally named Captain Thunder and later Captain Marvel when introduced in 1939, the superhero now known as Shazam! underwent a name change due to Marvel Comics claiming the Captain Marvel title. When DC Comics revived the character in 2011, they rebranded him as “Shazam!” to avoid confusion.
Artist C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker designed the superhero, drawing inspiration from the widely admired actor Fred MacMurray. As noted by comic artist Jim Steranko, "C.C. Beck transformed Bill Parker’s vision into visuals, using Fred MacMurray as the blueprint for Captain Thunder (later Captain Marvel), replicating his wavy black hair, facial structure, and distinctive cleft chin."
6. WOLVERINE
Wolverine, the standout character in the X-Men series, was initially conceived as a minor figure to challenge The Incredible Hulk during his Canadian escapades. His appearance was modeled after actor Paul D’Amato from Slap Shot, where D’Amato portrayed Dr. Hook, a character known for his wild hairstyle, thick sideburns, rugged features, and untamed demeanor.
7. PROFESSOR X
By Source, Fair use, Wikipedia
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby drew inspiration for Professor Charles Xavier’s appearance from Yul Brynner, the Academy Award–winning actor. Lee once shared in a 1993 interview with Wizard, "I envisioned Professor X as Yul Brynner. I wanted him to have physical limitations to contrast his immense mental power. Even confined to a wheelchair, he remained the most powerful figure."
8. THE JOKER
In 1940, Jerry Robinson, a 17-year-old comic book assistant, presented a rough sketch of a Joker playing card to writer Bill Finger while collaborating with artist Bob Kane on Batman #1. Seeking inspiration for Batman’s ultimate foe, Finger and Kane refined the design, drawing from Conrad Veidt’s portrayal of a man with a permanent, eerie smile in the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs.
"During our initial discussion, when I presented the Joker sketch, Bill mentioned it reminded him of Conrad Veidt’s role in The Man Who Laughs," Robinson recalled at San Diego Comic-Con in 2009. "Bill and Bob both contributed significantly. While the initial concept was mine, Bill developed the script from my outline, shaping the character’s persona and storyline. He truly was a co-creator, and Bob and I handled the visual aspects."
