How is it that in the wide world of superheroes and super-powers, the two most popular characters are based on a spider and a bat? Of all the animals in the world, of all the possible themes and names for great superheroes, everybody loves ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Batman’ the most? Where’s Lionman? Or Eagle-Man? Why not a Cheetahwoman? But I’m not here to debate the awesomeness of Batman or Spider-Man, I’m here to wonder whether or not there are any rabbit-themed supeheroes!

Want to learn more about this spectacular fellow? Read on!

Today is Easter, but rather than do something weird involving religious stuff, I wrote up a list focused on bunnies! Bunny superheroes (and villains) to be precise! It really is quite the eclectic group, though I couldn’t specifically find any Easter Bunny superheroes – unless you count Rise of the Guardians.

Which I don’t. Check out the list after the jump!

Honorable Mention: Bucky O’Hare

Only a green, anthropomorphic rabbit could pull off a uniform like that

I wanted this list to be only about rabbit superheroes, but as a friend pointed out, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention badass space cowboy Bucky O’Hare! I only knew this green-furred, gun-wielding langomorph in his early 90s cartoon series, Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars. But it turns out he debuted as a comic book character in the mid-80s. Who knew? Bucky is basically a precursor to Mal Reynolds, being the leader of a wicked awesome space crew as they fight an evil empire. Though my favorite character (and action figure) was Deadeye Duck. Still, Bucky has his fans, and deserves an Honorable Mention!

6. Hoppy the Marvel Bunny

They can’t all be named ‘Bugs’

Is that an animal parody of Captain Marvel, you ask? Not quite! Hoppy the Marvel Bunny is a legitimate member of the Shazam family. Because the old wizard pretty much just lets anybody join the crew. Hoppy may have started out as just an animal version back in 1945, but he soon crossed over with the real Captain Marvel in DC Comics later in the 20th century. But aside from the bunny, the Marvel family (all with the same super-powers and costume, mind you) also had a young girl, a fat old uncle, a squad of fat hillbillies and a talking tiger named Tawney. Not to mention the original Captain Marvel was secretly a 10-year-old boy named Billy. The wizard just didn’t care who he put into harm’s way.

5. White Rabbit

Playboy magazine should get on the phone with their lawyers

When DC Comics had a big reboot last September, someone somewhere decided that the one thing Batman needed was a new sexy super-villainess. Forget Catwoman, forget Poison Ivy, let’s give the fans some scantily clad babe with rabbit ears! That sells comics, right? But who could this mysterious cheesecake be? Perhaps Bruce Wayne’s mysterious new girlfriend Jaina Hudson, who appeared roughly around the same time and in the same comics as White Rabbit! Perhaps Batman should call on his old friend Scooby Doo for help solving this case.

4. Thunderbunny

This series ran for 12 issues, because people are insane

What little boy doesn’t want to suddenly get the power to turn into a superhero? Well for little Bobby Caswell, there was one big catch: his superhero was a giant, muscular pink rabbit! But it gets crazier. Thunderbunny was the last survivor of an alien race of rabbit-looking weirdos, and he transferred his essence into a device that then transferred the power to Caswell. Because comics. Thunderbunny then had an odd publishing history, hopping from Charleston Comics to Archie Comics to Apple Comics through the 80s. I guess he was just that damn popular. I think he’s overdue for a grim and gritty reboot.

3. Dumb Bunny

I’m rather shocked that DC Comics created a superheroine without cleavage

I guess that when creating White Rabbit, DC Comics forgot that they already had a character who was basically just a beautiful woman wearing rabbit ears. Dumb Bunny was a member of the Inferior Five, a parody team of worthless superheroes that debuted in 1966. They included the likes of Awkwardman, the Blimp and Dumb Bunny, who was described as “strong as an ox, and just as smart.” Pretty as a super model though. That should get her far in life. DC Comics later made the Inferior Five part of normal continuity, but who knows where they are since the New 52 reboot. Hopefully they show up soon, because a good parody is a good parody.

2. Captain Carrot

Yes, those are carrots in his utility belt!

This glorious little guy is Captain Carrot, leader of the Zoo Crew! They’re a badass team of anthropomorphic animals published by DC Comics. He debuted back in 1982 and has made all manner of minor appearances here and there, buoyed mostly by nostalgia and hilarity. Rodney Rabbit lives in an alternate universe in the DC Comics multiverse, and he eats a Cosmic Carrot to get a host of super powers, like flight and super strength. Most recently, the Captain joined the fight to save the multiverse at the end of Final Crisis. Suffice to say, the multiverse was saved.

Why this guy has never had a crossover with Peter Porker, the Amazing Spider-Ham, I’ll never know.

1. White Rabbit

I just love a super-villain who can stick to a theme

Nope, you’re not reading that wrong. Both DC Comics and Marvel Comics have a super-villain named White Rabbit, who is basically just a beautiful woman with bunny ears. And while the other one fights Batman, this White Rabbit is an enemy of Spider-Man. And at least this one is going with more of an Alice in Wonderland theme. So that gives her, what, a modicum of more respect? She doesn’t put it to good use, however. Spoiled rich girl Lorina Dodson basically became White Rabbit out of boredom, and he’s basically one of those joke villains that is trotted out now and again for a few chuckles and an easy beatdown. And I’ll always have a place in my heart for the likes of these lovable losers.

—————–