You are likely seeing the influence of concept artist Emmanuel Shiu, who did a considerable amount of work on both ships. The overhead silhouette is most similar, with the large swooping wings... but the details of the fuselage are significantly different (and in fact the internal structures couldn't be farther apart.) The Starliner lacks the verticality of the Merchantman, and the external styling of the two ships is very different (with the Starliner having a standard armored hull compared with the Merchantman's age-of-sail-inspired styling. Our thinking is that there should be some common shape language for transport ships, with additional starliners in the future having a similar style. Think of modern passenger jets: a Boeing fuselage is significantly similar to an Airbus, despite their being competitors. (The other comparison we've seen is to the S/A-43 Hammerhead of Space: Above and Beyond fame; there again, the overhead silhouette is similar but the scale and role are totally different!)