REPLICATION OF DC AND MARVEL TROPES BY SOME NIGERIAN COMIC ARTISTS: A COMPARATIVE VISUAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

Marvel and DC Comics are longstanding companies based in the United States of America. They birthed most of the superheroes known to both the young and old today. Among Marvel's heroes are Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and the Avengers, while popular DC heroes include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Robin. These characters not only influence Nigerian children but also create nostalgic memories for them as adults. In the second decade of the twenty-first century, many comic companies have emerged in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the works of some of these artists show strong similarities to DC and Marvel heroes, with some copying them outright, especially the superheroes and villains. This research, therefore, assessed the level of influence Marvel and DC Comics have had on the artistic styles of some Nigerian comic artists, the challenges they face in maintaining originality, and possible ways forward. The data for this research were primarily sourced from the Internet. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. In addition, a comparative method was used to analyse the visual data (photos) collected for the study. The findings of this research aim to reposition the thinking of many emerging comic artists in Nigeria and encourage them to strive for originality in their work.