12 Comic Book Characters Who Are Nothing Like Their First Appearance

Floyd Lawton, Deadshot, is the DC Universe's top marksman. His unique legacy costume and straight aim mean he always hits the target. However, his modern gear confuses people trying to spot him next to Deathstroke.

His original costume showed little appeal. The 1950s version did not impress.Batman#59. Lawton remains a marksman, but he avoids the costume people know and love. He appears like a magician wearing a top hat, a dovetail coat, and a domino mask. He calls himself a crimefighter initially, but people soon see he is a villain hiding in plain sight. He also shoots people's hats for some random reason.

Decades ago, people theorized Batman and Robin were lovers because they lived together. DC countered this idea by adding Kathy Kane, Batwoman, as a new love interest for the Dark Knight in 1956'sDetective Comics#233. The colorful, quirky Batwoman quickly becomes a key member of the Bat-Family. She also has a strong attraction to Batsy.

Over the years and the constant reboots, Kathy evolves into the more serious Kate Kane, Bruce Wayne's cousin. Now, this situation is awkward.

Patsy Walker belongs to a group of superheroes with sharp claws and catlike reflexes. As Hellcat, she joined teams like the Avengers and Defenders. Her Marvel debut made her more like Serena van der Woodsen than Selina Kyle.

Hellcat debuted in 1944'sMiss America Magazine#2. Patsy's early years featured fighting love triangles instead of alien threats. Her original adventures came straight from the pages ofArchiePatsy and friends face teenage problems and funny scenes—very different from her heroic Hellcat role now. DC's Jimmy Olsen had his own comic then, though., though.

Carol Danvers, AKA Captain Marvel, is now known as one of Marvel's strongest fighters. She acts like the MCU's Superman. However, this was not true for this original superhero. Carol's first Marvel Comics appearance was plain, and no one guessed her character path.

In 1967'sMarvel Super-Heroes#13. Mar-Vell keeps the Captain Marvel title. In the issue, he meets the missile base security chief and instantly develops a crush on Carol. She appears little in the rest of the story—only a few panels—and is not a hero then. Sadly, Carol waited nearly a decade before becoming Ms. Marvel.

Lexy lived the dream: owning global corporations and becoming the USA President. But before he looked like the best-looking bald man after "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, he had a different look and career.

He appeared in the pages of his debut in the 1940's.Action Comics#23 shows Luthor's main wrongs: plotting and orange hair clashing with his red outfit. He lives in a huge dirigible high above Earth, lounging like Marlon Brando inThe Island of Dr. MoreauHe orders goons. He uses a ray gun to zap Supes. Luthor uses only his name. People see the future, but he acts more like a worried villain than Superman's main enemy here.

Poison Ivy, the seductive, eco-friendly DC character, changed several times. Ivy was a villain initially. Now, she acts as a reluctant hero because saving plant life is not bad. Her methods might be shaky, but her goals are right.

Ivy debuted inBatman#181. This original Ivy differs from later versions. In this issue, Ivy wants to be the world's top female villain. She tricks Batman with her chloroform lipstick (which she resists) and shows a strange wall-climbing skill like Spider-Man. However, she lacks the power to control plants like later versions. Co-creator Carmine Infantino said in aninterviewThe sole reason for Ivy's creation was Catwoman in theBatmanshow. They wanted more female villains.

Today, people disagree on Batman's stance on gun control. He skips pistols; his fists serve as his weapons. Still, he gives wrongdoers a shot. He sends them to the hospital with bruises and internal bleeding, but he stops before the morgue.

The Dark Knight first appeared in 1939'sDetective Comics#27 differs greatly from the Caped Crusader today. Early Batman stories showed the hero, inspired by pulp action icon The Shadow, used a pistol and kept villains down permanently. The Dark Knight'sno-kill ruleThis rule only started in the 1940's.Batman#4.

Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth, is a unique comic book character. He makes jokes about anything—even other franchises. Readers recognize the crazy, talkative Deadpool today differs from his original look inThe New Mutants#98.

Deadpool hunts Cable. Deadpool talks trash, but not like he does now. He taunts his opponent, shows off deadly fighting skills, and shares a villain monologue similar to Deathstroke. Wade Wilson's real name honors Slade Wilson.

Forget the bad wig and CGI from the Inhumans.Medusa is a Marvel Universe MVP. As an Inhuman, she has better strength, speed, and stamina. Her hair whips, flips, and wraps things.

Marvel did not start Medusa as an Inhuman member. This happened in 1964'sFantastic Four.Issue #36 shows Medusa as Madame Medusa, a member of the Frightful Four, the Fantastic Four's villainous version. Amnesia explains why she is bad here.

Wanda Maximoff is a mutant no one should mess with. She casts spells and creates new realities to trap people. Read House of M. Wanda brought the whole Marvel Comics universe to its knees.

Scarlet Witch debuted in 1964'sX-Men.Issue #4 shows Scarlet Witch as a reluctant member of the Brotherhood of Mutants., along with Quicksilver. Scarlet Witch wears her red costume, but her powers are not as strong as in modern times. Pointing in a direction is dangerous because anything can happen. She lacks the all-powerful status she holds now.

Harley Quinn hanging out with The Joker affects people. Harley saw the light, said, "Smell ya later, clown," and moved to better things as a baseball bat hero in the DC Universe. She is free from the toxic relationship, spreading her wings and annoying heroes without Arkham Asylum.

In 1992'sBatman: The Animated Series.Episode “Joker's Favor” introduces Harley to fans as Mr. J's partner. Her outfit differs from the modern look, and she loves her 'puddin'. The Clown Prince sees his 'princess' only as a joke.

The comic world changed. People put effort into showing diversity correctly, avoiding bad stereotypes. Marvel Comics fixed The Mandarin's image, making him a strong foe for Iron Man and dropping old harmful tropes.

1963'sTales of Suspense.#50 marks The Mandarin's official debut in the Marvel Universe. Racist stereotypes plague the character's appearance and behavior. The character uses Asian culture as the only defining trait, not as part of who he is.