Many of the best comics in the world have used public domain characters at some point in their run. Indeed, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe launching into its fifth phase in 2023 there will likely be further examples of those out-of-copyright figures making their way from the page to the big and small screen. The benefit of using one of these figures is that mainstream audiences will immediately recognize them from previous projects, building in a sense of connection. But Marvel Comics isn't the only publisher to feature these universally beloved characters as part of their printed narratives over the years.

Some of the most well-known comic book companies, Image to DC Comics to Dynamite Entertainment, have all turned to familiar faces for a little boost in star power. Often these figures are brought into pre-existing comic lore to help build out the mythology of those particular universes, but it's also...