6 Famous Characters You Didn't Know were Shameless Rip offs

[katie_girl09]

Saying Batman is ripping off Zorro, because there would be no Bats without him, is like saying that a kid is ripping off his father when he ends up being better than him.

That, sir, is an opinion. And what does it matter even if Batman is better? It still doesn't change the fact that Zorro was a HUGE influence on his character.

 

[The Guard]

Yes, scenes and characters were stolen/used - but the story of a Prince banished after his father's death, to see is uncle take over the kingdom. . . sounds a lot like Hamlet.

It's widely known that THE LION KING is based on Hamlet as well.

All I care about is that they didn't rip off the songs.

 

[JStorm]

It's widely known that THE LION KING is based on Hamlet as well.

All I care about is that they didn't rip off the songs.

Making jest, for someone - like you - to come in and correct.

I learned of said "rip-off," back in college during World Lit.

My Professor went on, and on about the injustice.

Good times.

 

[Sawyer]

That, sir, is an opinion. And what does it matter even if Batman is better? It still doesn't change the fact that Zorro was a HUGE influence on his character.

Yes, but theres a difference between being inspired by it and ripping it off.

 

[Silicon Surfer]

Batman was also a rip-off of Doc Savage.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Batman is very much a ripoff of several characters, Superman among them.

I don't think you're using the word "ripoff" like I would use it. Even if Batman is similar to other characters that doesn't make it a rip off. That would be like saying that every superhero or pulp hero ever is a rip off of the first. Just because similar characters have preceded doesn't mean that the new creation isn't original.

I think the only real rip off on this list is The Lion King. Fact is Disney offered to produce a movie that had already been made in Japan and bring it over to America and then they changed a few little parts and made basically the same, yet somehow ****tier, movie. If any of you get a chance to check out the Japanese movie, I highly recommend it.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Meh, everything is a "ripoff" of something.


Oh, and Batman is better than Zorro.

 

[roach]

whats the difference between inspired by and rip off???
Sure every superhero shares common elements with everyone else...but i believe Batman is more of a ripoff than inspired by them...in the same way that Captain Marvel is a ripoff of Superman

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

Batman is a rip off of me.

That's right, Batman is a biography of my life.

 

[Darthphere]

Batman never worked in a Hot Topic.

 

[The Lizard]

Batman never worked in a Hot Topic.

The Batcave is obviously a metaphor for the Hot Topic. Dur.

 

[The Guard]

I don't think you're using the word "ripoff" like I would use it.

How would you use it?

The whole "masked playboy fighting crime while pretending to be ineffectual" is clearly Zorro-inspired.

His detective shtick is absolutely ripped from Sherlock Holmes.

The decision to attire himself as a bat is clearly derived from "The Bat".

The rest of his costume is an obvious rip off of Superman's color scheme and design. Bob Kane flat out said he started tracing over a picture of Superman to create Batman, as he was asked to create "another Superman".

I think we're on the same page as to what "ripoff" is.

I suppose he's not called "Zorro Man", but it's six of one, half dozen of the other.

Even if Batman is similar to other characters that doesn't make it a rip off. That would be like saying that every superhero or pulp hero ever is a rip off of the first. Just because similar characters have preceded doesn't mean that the new creation isn't original.

I suppose that depends on what you mean by "original". Batman is certainly an interesting concept, but very few elements of his earliest incarnations can be considered truly "original".

 

[redmarvel]

Batman was also a rip-off of Doc Savage.

Not really. The Fantastic Four is closer to being a rip off of Doc Savage.

Doc Savage wasn't a millionaire playboy - he got his money from the secret mine he and his friends discovered and his inventions.

Doc Savage didn't have or need a secret cave hideaway. Instead he had a sky scraper building where people with problems could find him.

Doc Savage had his team to back him up, two members of which were constantly arguing, one of which was strong and ugly, called Monk.

 

[Majic Walrus]

How would you use it?

The whole "masked playboy fighting crime while pretending to be ineffectual" is clearly Zorro-inspired.

His detective shtick is absolutely ripped from Sherlock Holmes.

The decision to attire himself as a bat is clearly derived from "The Bat".

The rest of his costume is an obvious rip off of Superman's color scheme and design. Bob Kane flat out said he started tracing over a picture of Superman to create Batman, as he was asked to create "another Superman".

I think we're on the same page as to what "ripoff" is.

I suppose he's not called "Zorro Man", but it's six of one, half dozen of the other.



I suppose that depends on what you mean by "original". Batman is certainly an interesting concept, but very few elements of his earliest incarnations can be considered truly "original".

You've got several elements of Batman that were taken from somewhere else... So is Green Arrow a rip off of Zorro because he's a rich playboy fighting crime?

Is Phillip Marlowe a rip off of Sherlock Holmes because he's a detective?

My point is that an amalgamation of several different inspirations makes Batman something that none of the other incarnations were. Sherlock Holmes didn't use fighting skills to take out the bad guys. Zorro didn't use a miniaturized detective kit stored in his belt to help him solve mysteries.

There are definitely noticeable inspirations but nothing that would constitute a rip off. Rip off implies theft or deceit and I don't think is what we have here.

 

[Carcharodon]

You've got several elements of Batman that were taken from somewhere else... So is Green Arrow a rip off of Zorro because he's a rich playboy fighting crime?

Is Phillip Marlowe a rip off of Sherlock Holmes because he's a detective?

My point is that an amalgamation of several different inspirations makes Batman something that none of the other incarnations were. Sherlock Holmes didn't use fighting skills to take out the bad guys. Zorro didn't use a miniaturized detective kit stored in his belt to help him solve mysteries.

There are definitely noticeable inspirations but nothing that would constitute a rip off. Rip off implies theft or deceit and I don't think is what we have here.

No, it's not a ripoff. Zorro is just WAY cooler. I think that's where a lot of this is coming from...a refusal to accept that fact. I'm looking at you, Bat-Nerds. Stop being so divisive!

 

[Majic Walrus]

No, it's not a ripoff. Zorro is just WAY cooler. I think that's where a lot of this is coming from...a refusal to accept that fact. I'm looking at you, Bat-Nerds. Stop being so divisive!

I tell you what. You be Zorro and I'll be Batman. Let's see who wins.

 

[The Guard]

You've got several elements of Batman that were taken from somewhere else... So is Green Arrow a rip off of Zorro because he's a rich playboy fighting crime?

His rich playboy fighting crime side sure as hell is. Green Arrow's image is also an obvious homage/"rip off" of Robin Hood, and the character himself makes that pretty well known.

Is Phillip Marlowe a rip off of Sherlock Holmes because he's a detective?

No. Of course not. However, if he adopted Sherlock Holmes "style" of detective work, that would be something of a ripoff, yes.

My point is that an amalgamation of several different inspirations makes Batman something that none of the other incarnations were.

This is true. Batman is a combination of ripped off ideas that culminated into something far more interesting and lasting.

Sherlock Holmes didn't use fighting skills to take out the bad guys.

Sure he did. Swords, martial arts, puglism, you name it. So did Zorro. So did The Phantom. And The Shadow, when he wasn't using his guns.

There are definitely noticeable inspirations but nothing that would constitute a rip off. Rip off implies theft or deceit and I don't think is what we have here.

Rip off implies whatever you want it to imply. But the general definition is along the lines of:

"Something, such as a film or story, that is clearly imitative of or based on something else".

Batman definitely fits that definition.

 

[Carcharodon]

I tell you what. You be Zorro and I'll be Batman. Let's see who wins.

I would charm you out of your armor and then stab you in the face. No contest. Latin charm > Batman.

Besides, it's not about who would win *COUGH*Zorro*COUGH*. It's about who's cooler. I mean, Mike Tyson would beat the holy hell out of Samuel L. Jackson, but S.L.J. is infinitely cooler. See?

 

[Ion Kenshin]

rip⋅off

  /ˈrɪpˌɔf, -ˌɒf/ [rip-awf, -of] –noun Slang. 1.an act or instance of ripping off another or others; a theft, cheat, or swindle.2.exploitation, esp. of those who cannot prevent or counter it.3.a copy or imitation.4.a person who rips off another or others; thief or swindler.Also, rip-off.

Origin:
1965–70; n. use of v. phrase rip off

Since people seem to be confused

 

[Majic Walrus]

His rich playboy fighting crime side sure as hell is. Green Arrow's image is also an obvious homage/"rip off" of Robin Hood, and the character himself makes that pretty well known.

No. Of course not. However, if he adopted Sherlock Holmes "style" of detective work, that would be something of a ripoff, yes.

This is true. Batman is a combination of ripped off ideas that culminated into something far more interesting and lasting.

Sure he did. Swords, martial arts, puglism, you name it. So did Zorro. So did The Phantom. And The Shadow, when he wasn't using his guns.

Rip off implies whatever you want it to imply. But the general definition is along the lines of:

"Something, such as a film or story, that is clearly imitative of or based on something else".

Batman definitely fits that definition.

There's your problem.

I would charm you out of your armor and then stab you in the face. No contest. Latin charm > Batman.

Besides, it's not about who would win *COUGH*Zorro*COUGH*. It's about who's cooler. I mean, Mike Tyson would beat the holy hell out of Samuel L. Jackson, but S.L.J. is infinitely cooler. See?

True... In that case Antonio Banderas < Christian Bale. t:

Since people seem to be confused

I agree.

 

[terry78]

Everything is a ripoff of something. And every story ever created is a ripoff of something from the bible.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Everything is a ripoff of something. And every story ever created is a ripoff of something from the bible.

Actually I'm pretty sure that Jesus is a rip off of some other story.

Interesting article here: http://listverse.com/religion/10-christ-like-figures-who-pre-date-jesus

 

[Jack O Lantern]

How is Batman "more... lasting" that Zorro or Sherlock Homles? Those characters were created first and are still going strong to this day. Which means Batman has lasted for a lesser amount of time.

And... geez. Batfans are really quick to get upset over even the smallest slight against the character.

 

[Silicon Surfer]

Not really. The Fantastic Four is closer to being a rip off of Doc Savage.

Doc Savage wasn't a millionaire playboy - he got his money from the secret mine he and his friends discovered and his inventions.

Doc Savage didn't have or need a secret cave hideaway. Instead he had a sky scraper building where people with problems could find him.

Doc Savage had his team to back him up, two members of which were constantly arguing, one of which was strong and ugly, called Monk.

Doc Savage originated the concept of training since childhood in all areas of human knowledge with the intent of crimefighting.

 

[The Guard]

The definition of "rip off" can either mean "stolen" or "borrowed idea" depending on how forgiving one is. I think most creative people are honest enough to point out that while there's a definite gray area, and many good concepts have resulted from borrowing another creator's idea, one essentially becomes the other if you don't make it obvious you're paying homage on some level.

How is Batman "more... lasting" that Zorro or Sherlock Homles? Those characters were created first and are still going strong to this day. Which means Batman has lasted for a lesser amount of time.

Define "going strong". .

I suppose I should have said culturally lasting or something, but even that doesn't cover it. In the public consciousness, etc, maybe.

And... geez. Batfans are really quick to get upset over even the smallest slight against the character.

More or less.