Steel (comics)
Steel is a name used by several
fictional characters owned and published by
DC Comics in their
universe. There have been four characters, all
superheroes, to use the name.
:
The first Steel was
Henry "Hank" Heywood, better known as
Commander Steel, first appeared in
Steel #1, published in March 1978, though his active superhero career was set during
World War II. His series lasted for only five issues. The character returned to comics, becoming a longtime member of the
All-Star Squadron. Later in life, he sponsored the so-called "
Justice League Detroit" during his grandson's time on the team.
The original Commander Steel apparently died battling the
supervillain Eclipso in
Eclipso #13 (1993). [
1]
The second Steel was the late
Henry "Hank" Heywood, III, grandson to Commander Steel who, as a wealthy industrialist, incorporated the same mechanized components into his grandson. Heywood, III was a "
Justice League Detroit" team member, and was mortally wounded in battle against one of the team's classic foes,
Professor Ivo. His body remained preserved in the JLA Bunker until it was discovered and destroyed by
Despero. [
2]
Although it was originally stated that Heywood performed unnecessary surgeries on his grandson, this was later
retconned in
Justice League of America #260 to state that if he hadn't made his grandson into Steel,
"Hank would have been dead... years ago."
:
The third Steel, also known as the
Man of Steel, was created by
Louise Simonson and artist
Jon Bogdanove in
Adventures of Superman #500 (June,
1993). Aspects of the character are clearly inspired by the
African American folk hero
John Henry, as well as
Superman. [
3]
Steel is weapons engineer
John Henry Irons, whose life was saved by Superman after he fell off a building while working in construction. Irons later created and donned a suit of
powered armor in Superman's memory. During the
Reign of the Supermen, he was often called the
Man of Steel to identify him in contrast to the other Supermen, which was shortened to
Steel by Superman himself. He had a solo series (written by co-creator Louise Simonson and later by
Christopher Priest). This variant of Steel inspired the
1997 movie starring
Shaquille O'Neal.
:
The fourth Steel is Natasha Irons, John Henry's niece and apprentice. Following the events of the "Our Worlds At War" storyline, internal injuries meant John Henry was no longer able to utilize his armor. He designed a separate suit of armor for Natasha to wear. Natasha's suit can rapidly change size and grow to about thirty or forty feet in height. Her suit was recently deactivated by John Henry who said she needs to earn the right to have it again.
TelevisionSteel was shown several times in the animated series
Superman and
Justice League Unlimited. Initially he was voiced by actor
Michael Dorn, but later was substitute voiced by
Phil LaMarr.
Kingdom Come ComicsIn the events of the Elseworlds
Kingdom Come series, Steel is seen to have joined Batman's faction, due to Superman's self imposed exile. His suit now owes its stylings to Batman, rather than Superman, and he carries a Batshaped axe rather than his hammer.
