FIVE CHARACTERS FROM MARVEL COMICS WHO WERE BASED ON REAL-LIFE PEOPLE (VIBRANT EDITION)

Approximately two months ago, I posted an article featuring a selection of bad-ass comic book characters published by Marvel Comics who were based on real-life actors (click here to check that out). So, to continue the motion, I thought that it would be a jolly good idea to do the same thing once again, but this time focus on a selection of vibrant comic book characters published by Marvel Comics who were based on real-life people. Here 👇, have a look at this.

Name: Bucky Barnes / Alias: Winter Soldier / Created by: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby / First appearance: Captain America Comics #1 / Cover date: March 1941

Who's this character based on? The American basketball player, William 'Bucky' Pierson, who in real-life went to high school with one of Bucky Barnes' co-creators, Joe Simon. According to Joe, his pal Bucky was a star player on their high school basketball team and he had a great physique, which is why he partly used him as a model for Captain America's wartime sidekick. Mr. Pierson was born in Rochester, New York, on the 7th of November, 1913, and he died in Clyde, New York, on the 9th of February, 1994. He was 80 years old.

Name: Tony Stark / Alias: Iron Man / Created by: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko / First appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 (Volume 1) / Cover date: March 1963

Who's this character based on? The American aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, philanthropist, and pilot, Howard Hughes, whose life story was made into the 2004 film, 'The Aviator', which was directed by Martin Scorsese and starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the aforementioned philanthropist. Mr. Hughes was born in Houston, Texas, on the 24th of December, 1905, and he died in the same city on the 5th of April, 1976. He was 70 years old.

Name: J. Jonah Jameson / Alias: Not applicable / Created by: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko / First appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Volume 1) / Cover date: March 1963

Who's this character based on? The American comic book writer, editor, and publisher, Stan Lee, who openly admitted that he modeled Mr. Jameson on a much grumpier version of himself. The comic book writer, Gerry Conway, mirrored Stan's statement many years later when he told a reporter, 'Just like Stan is a very complex and interesting guy who both has a tremendously charismatic part of himself and is an honestly decent guy who cares about people, he also has this incredible ability to go immediately to shallow. Just, BOOM, right to shallow. And that's Jameson'. Mr. Lee was born in Manhattan, New York, on the 28th of December, 1922, and he died in Los Angeles, California, on the 12th of November, 2018. He was 95 years old.

Name: Stephen Strange / Alias: Doctor Strange / Created by: Steve Ditko / First appearance: Strange Tales #110 (Volume 1) / Cover date: July 1963

Who's this character based on? Allegedly, the American actor, art historian, and gourmet cook, Vincent Price, who's best known for starring in a number of notable horror films, such as 'The Pit and the Pendulum' (1961), 'The Last Man on Earth' (1964), and 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971). Even though there's no direct evidence proving that the good doctor was based on the venerable horror actor, the two of them share a similar style, appearance, and name. Specifically, Vincent, which in Doctor Strange's case, is his middle name. Mr. Price was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 27th of May, 1911, and he died in Los Angeles, California, on the 25th of October, 1993. He was 82 years old.

Name: Mary Jane Watson / Alias: Jackpot / Created by: Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. / First appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #42 (Volume 1) / Cover date: November 1966

Who's this character based on? The Swedish-American actress and singer, Ann-Margret, who's probably best remembered for starring in such films as 'Bye Bye Birdie' (1963) and 'Viva Las Vegas' (1964). Coincidentally, her role as Kim in 'Bye Bye Birdie' inspired John Romita Sr. to model MJ on her appearance in this film. Ms. Margret was born in Jämtland County, Sweden, on the 28th of April, 1941, and she released her first rock album, 'Born to be Wild', in April, 2023.

So, there you have it, folks, a selection of vibrant comic book characters published by Marvel Comics who were based on real-life people. Out of curiosity, have you come across any of these facts before? Or is all of this new to you? Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.