Ironclad (comics)

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Ironclad

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Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #254 (December 1980)
Created by Bill Mantlo
Sal Buscema
In story information
Alter ego Michael Steel
Team affiliations U-Foes
Thunderbolts
The Hood's criminal empire
Abilities Ability to transform into metal form
Density control
Superhuman strength as well as experienced in hand-to-hand combat

Ironclad (Michael Steel) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe whose first appearance was in Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #254. He is a member of the super-villain group, the U-Foes and he was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.

Contents

[edit] Fictional character biography

Mike Steel was an engineer, scientist, and pilot before gaining his superhuman powers. With his teammates, he attempted to duplicate the original rocket flight of the Fantastic Four through a cosmic ray belt, and gained superhuman powers just as the Fantastic Four did. His team then first battled the Hulk, although during the battle Ironclad lost control of his powers and sank into the ground.[1] Later, he rescued his teammate X-Ray and was reunited with the U-Foes. They again battled the Hulk and this time defeated him. In triumph, they exhibited the captive Bruce Banner on national television. However, Banner was freed by Rick Jones, Betty Ross, and the alien Bereet, and Banner transformed into the Hulk and defeated the U-Foes.[2] With the U-Foes, Ironclad later escaped a special government prison, but was accidentally "deflected" by team leader Vector into the "Crossroads" dimension. There, he battled the Hulk and defeated him with the help of the alien "Puffball Collective," though he became trapped in a dimension of quicksand.[3] Ironclad later escaped back to the "Crossroads" dimension, and with the U-Foes he escaped back to Earth through a dimensional warp unintentionally opened by the mutant Charles Little Sky. The U-Foes battled the Avengers and Puma, and Ironclad was defeated by Captain America and Gilgamesh.[4]

[edit] Raft, Civil War/Initiative

Some time later, alongside other superhuman criminals, Ironclad attempted to escape from the Vault, and battled the Avengers and Freedom Force. Alongside Electro, Ironclad sided with Thunderball against Venom for leadership of the convicts.[5] Ironclad was later freed from the Vault, and with teammates Vapor and X-Ray, Ironclad attacked the Avengers West Coast, mistakenly believing they had killed Vector. Vector then reappeared alive and well, and led his teammates in a strategic retreat.[6] With the U-Foes, Ironclad later attacked a New York hospital in search of Charles Little Sky (who was now known as Portal), where they battled Darkhawk, Daredevil, and Captain America.[7] Mike was identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear to have registered as part of the Super-Human Registration Act[8]. [9]

[edit] Hood

Though a registered hero, Ironclad is later seen as part of the Hood's criminal organization who plan to take advantage of the split in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act.

[edit] Powers and abilities

Exposure to cosmic radiation gave Mike Steel a shiny silver metal form which gives him tremendous durability and resistance to most forms of injury, and also incredible superhuman strength. He can also increase or decrease his own weight, to hover in the air,[10] or crush like a mountain. An influx of cosmic radiation can cause a temporary loss of his control of his density, causing Ironclad to increase in density until he sinks into the ground. Ironclad cannot resume his normal human form at will.

Ironclad is a good hand-to-hand combatant. He is also an experienced pilot and rocketry expert.

[edit] Other comics characters named Ironclad

  • In the Ultraverse, Spencer Collins was known as Ironclad. He was a member of Ultraforce and first appeared in Firearm #11. He was killed by Rafferty in Ultraverse Premiere #5 and revived in Prototype #13.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] References

  1. ^ Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #254
  2. ^ Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #275-277
  3. ^ Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #304-305
  4. ^ Avengers #304
  5. ^ The Vault Graphic Novel
  6. ^ Avengers West Coast #53; Avengers Spotlight #27
  7. ^ Darkhawk #6
  8. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #1
  9. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #1 Character Map
  10. ^ The Incredible Hulk #397 (October 1992)

[edit] External links