flag inspired superheroes

Isn't it neat that, Canada, U.S.A. and the United Kingdom are well represented with their respective superheroes? (from left to right: Guardian, Captain America, Captain Britain)

VINDICATOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA AND CAPTAIN BRITAIN

Always wondered how it would be if we have the other countries' superheroes... and here are some of what i made in the past.

BANGLADESH, AND TWO SINGAPORE HEROES

I also did a Filipino (from Philippines ofcourse) based superhero. I call him Battalion. He's partly inspired from Captain Marvel, Captain America  and Luke Skywalker. Yup, the jacket is very much inspired from Luke's ceremonial Bespin uniform.    

One hitch though, I once had a chat with a locally known illustraitor (no typo there), who was giving me tips on how to break in the comics business ( but it was more like dissuading me).

I showed this drawing without the colors first, and also showed the previous design. He rermarked that I should stick with the previous design, almost strongly.

Why I wonder, was he so taken with the old design when I was leaning on keeping this one?

So, recently, this famous artist started recruiting other creators to start a comic line of his own..
and started publishing a character who's insignia/chest emblem looks similar to mine.

With the exception of color scheme and rendering, you'r think his design is kind of taken from mine.

Alas, I've no proof (or do I?) as to who did what first. Only that I have made sketches and drawings back in the late 80s to the 90s of this particular character.

I had my design far earlier than his since my design was from the late eighties stretching on to the 90s, with the final design featured above.

For comparison, here is the character of this very famous, if somewhat dilluded illustraitor. 

How he can lay claim that his was the first is beyond me.
I only had a chat with this guy since I was a fan (before), and to get a tip from his distinguished persona albeit online was already a privilege...

But I guess this is how the biz goes, i fhe can publish/ record/distribute it first, he can declare that this character was his own making.

The guy is surrounded with other illustrious artists and creators, so, it would be impossible for me to even contest his claims knowing his peers will take his side.... bummer.