The Comic Book Character That Inspired Elvis Presley's Iconic Look

From Slash’s signature top hat and dark, curly mop to Slipknot’s gloriously ghoulish masks, it’s not just musical ability that makes an industry legend. Just as important is a unique look, an instantly recognizable and unmistakable style. This was just one of Elvis Presley’s most valuable assets.

What defines the King? Is it his voice? His hair? His shades? His later-era jumpsuits? His oh-so-controversial hips? It’s not any one of these traits, but rather everything in tandem. He was an icon and a visionary, but he was also a big fan of comic books when he was younger, and there are a lot of similarities to be drawn between elements of Elvis’ style and those of DC Comics’ Captain Marvel Jr.

In 1941’s “Whiz Comics #25,” The Vintage News reports, the origin story of a new comic book hero, Captain Marvel Jr., continued. This teenage hero was born from the tremendous success of Captain Marvel Sr., whose comic books, per Elvis Australia, sometimes proved more popular than those of flagship character Superman. The Vintage News adds that the young Presley was a big comic fan, and some of his own comic books are still housed in his beloved Graceland.

Captain Marvel Jr.’s costume, distinctive lightning bolt emblem and hairstyle and color all bear incredible resemblances to those later adopted by Presley.

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