| Ironclad | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Abilities |
|
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.
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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]
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]
Ironclad, along with the other U-Foes were imprisoned in the Raft when Electro broke the inmates out. Ironclad was seen fighting Captain America and even threw him up through a hole in the roof, only for Captain America to be rescued by Iron Man.[8]
On the cover of Avengers: The Initiative #1, Mike was identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear to have registered as part of the Super-Human Registration Act.[9][10]
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.
During the Dark Reign storyline, Ironclad and the U-Foes are revealed as members of the Initiative's North Carolina team.[11]
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 density, to hover in the air,[12] or crush an opponent or object with the force of 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.