Steel (comics)
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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.
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[edit] Commander Steel
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]
[edit] Hank Heywood, III
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 much to his granson's disapproval. 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." This compassion for his grandson was absent for most of Commander Steel's appearances, and gave the tragic life of Hank Heywood the Third a different perspective.
[edit] John Henry Irons
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 asked Superman how he could repay him, to which Superman replied "Live a life worth saving." Later in Superman's battle with Doomsday Irons seeing Superman being beaten by Doomsday in the streets of Metropolis picked up a sledgehammer and attempted to enter the fight himself. During the fight the building Irons was building collapsed under him and he was trapped before he could come to Superman's aid. 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.
[edit] Natasha Irons
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.
[edit] Other media
Both Hank Heywood, III and John Henry Irons were shown in the Justice League Unlimited animated series.
