Is 'American Comics: The Strongest Villain' Based On Marvel Or DC?

I've read 'American Comics: The Strongest Villain' and can confirm it's not tied to Marvel or DC. It's an original web novel that creates its own universe of superpowered characters. The story follows a protagonist who gains villainous abilities through a system, facing off against heroes in a world that feels like a mashup of comic tropes without being derivative. While it borrows elements from both Marvel and DC—like cosmic entities and multiverse threats—the characters and settings are entirely unique. The author clearly loves comic book lore but avoids direct references to established franchises. If you enjoy antihero stories with system-based progression, this delivers fresh material without stepping on big publishers' toes.

As someone who consumes tons of comics and web novels, I analyzed 'American Comics: The Strongest Villain' extensively. The series intentionally avoids Marvel/DC canon while mimicking their narrative structures. Its worldbuilding pulls from multiple sources: the power scaling resembles 'Invincible', the system mechanics feel like 'The Gamer', and the villain protagonist's growth arc mirrors 'Death Note's' Light Yagami.

The key difference lies in how powers work. Marvel/DC heroes often rely on mutations or alien biology, but this story uses a quantifiable 'Villain Value System' that lets the main character unlock abilities by earning points through evil acts. The most interesting twist is how the system adapts—when the protagonist faces hero teams reminiscent of the Avengers or Justice League, their powers evolve specifically to counter those threats.

What makes it stand out is the lack of copyright constraints. The author creates original calamities like the 'Eclipse Syndicate' or 'Black Code Universe' that feel grander than typical comic events because there's no editorial oversight limiting their scale. The final arcs involve multiverse collapses and reality rewrites that would require years of buildup in mainstream comics, delivered here with satisfying immediacy.

Let me break down why fans keep asking this question. 'American Comics: The Strongest Villain' wears its inspirations on its sleeve—you'll spot analogues to Batman's rogue gallery, Thanos-level cosmic threats, and even Deadpool-style fourth-wall breaks. But it's smarter than fanfiction; it remixes tropes into something new.

The protagonist's power theft ability echoes Rogue from X-Men, but with a villainous twist—he permanently drains victims' powers while amplifying their weaknesses. Major arcs parallel famous comic events like 'Civil War' or 'Crisis on Infinite Earths', yet the outcomes diverge radically because the villain protagonist reshapes events to his advantage.

Where it diverges completely is character philosophy. Marvel/DC villains often get redemption arcs or tragic backstories. Here, the main character embraces villainy as a pragmatic choice, debating ethics like a dark version of Spider-Man's 'with great power' speech. The series excels at turning comic clichés into fresh dilemmas.