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As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
- I wonder... maybe that's the mark of a superhero: Not the incredible powers or saving the day, but the effect you have on other people. Inspiring them to keep trying... and inspiring them to never give up.
- — John Henry Irons src
Dr. John Henry Irons II is Steel, a weapons designer turned superhero with a steel suit of armor and a big hammer.
History
Origins and Early Career
John Henry Irons II was the grand-nephew of the short-lived hero of the 1950s, John Henry Irons, also known as John Henry, Jr., and was named after him.[1]
After progressing through graduate school, Doctor Irons was hired by General Sam Lane to create a weapon capable of protecting the Earth from an alien invasion. After Lex Luthor joined the operation Doctor Irons kept the prototype war suit called Metal-Zero hidden for himself, while working with Luthor on a new Metal-Zero suit. When Luthor managed to capture Superman, Doctor Irons turned in his resignation upon witnessing the torture the unfortunate hero was under going.[2]
Shortly afterwards during the Terminaut invasion of Earth led by Brainiac Doctor Irons put on the original Metal-Zero armor to help protect the city. Surveying the attack Doctor Irons noticed Superman in pitched combat with the newly armored John Corben and intervened with the intent to destroy the new Metal-Zero armor using his own self-designed battle armor. After winning a short battle against Metallo, Doctor Irons helped Superman determine the speed he'd need to reach in order to propel himself into space to save New Troy from Brainiac.[3]
While Superman took the battle to space, Henry remained on Earth to help manage the destruction caused by the abduction of the New Troy district of Metropolis.[4]
After this he and Superman partnered up to defeat the menace known as the Kryptonite Man. Irons managed to aid Superman in the villain's defeat and even found a way to deactivate the villain's powers. Irons eventually founded a humanitarian nonprofit, and dedicated much of his time to helping those in need in less-developed countries.
However, he eventually ended up working for Amertek, and was unknowingly tricked into designing weapons by his boss. John confronted him and quit his job as he wanted to save lives.[5]
The Death of Superman
John was working as a construction worker when he fell while working at a great height but was rescued by Superman. John felt indebted to the Man Of Steel and tried to reach him during his fight against Doomsday in order to help him but got delayed because he stopped numerous times to help people who were in danger.[6]
Reign of the Supermen
Following the Death of Superman, John was one of four individuals who arose in Metropolis to fill the gap left by the fallen hero. Unlike the other three, he made no claims to Superman's mantle —- he simply wore his symbol and fought injustice as Steel.[7]
Unbeknownst to all, Superman was restored to life and arrived in Metropolis contained within a Kryptonian Warsuit; the young Steel, alongside the sentient protoplasmic matrix then known as Supergirl and Kon-El, went to confront the warsuit, unaware of its inhabitant or his intentions. When Superman exited the vessel in a black-and-silver suit, Superboy remained sceptical of his intentions, but the trio was eventually convinced by Lois Lane that this Superman was the genuine article. Afterwards, Superboy, Matrix, Steel, the Eradicator, and the Green Lantern travelled to what remained of Coast City and defeated the villainous alliance of Mongul and Cyborg Superman.[8]
Further Adventures
John continued to operate as Steel. At some point, he was involved in an attempt to avert a vicious gang war in Washington, D.C.. Despite Steel's best attempts to limit casualties, a juvenile member of one of the gangs known as 'Spiral' was murdered by the cyborg known as Amalgam.[9]
New 52
Doomsday Virus and the Final Days of Superman
After facing the villain Doomsday alongside Superman he was infected with a strange otherworldly toxin, in a bid to prevent further such infections he coated his skin in a malleable liquid steel film, which would protect him from otherworldly infections but did limit his emotional responses.
Steel was present when the Prime Earth's Superman apparently died of kryptonite poisoning.
DC Rebirth
He now currently protects Metropolis alongside Lana Lang where he supports her both as a boyfriend and a partner in crime-fighting. With his niece, Natasha Irons and Lana make up Team Steel. When Lana's powers nearly killed her, John was there to watch over her, seeking out Superman to help save her. When she recovers, it seemed her powers were gone. He, Lana, and Natasha spend time in Smallville while she tries to cope, but she pushes him away in anger. When she deals with the loss, the three return to the city, where they create a test chamber that they believed could restore Lana's powers by pushing her through her worst fears and doubts. The chamber accomplished the task, and it was discovered that the Insect Queen suit Natasha built for her stored her powers inside the last time she used it.
Later, John and Natasha are seen at Lana's apartment, watching news about a sighting of Skyhook, the meta criminal that kidnapped Zeke, John's nephew. The two immediately prepare to go to the police for information, but Lana reveals she went ahead alone, upsetting them. The next day, John is preparing to hunt down Skyhook, despite Lana's attempts to talk him out of it. However, John's brother Crash finds him first, hoping to avenge his son. John and Natasha arrive not long after Lana reaches the scene. Rather than target Skyhook, the two forsake their revenge to save Crash, entrusting their quarry to Superwoman, who defeats him.
Doomsday Clock
Main article: Doomsday Clock Vol 1
After Superman is framed and rendered comatose, Steel joined the group of heroes heading towards Mars to confront their mysterious enemy. The heroes meet and engage Doctor Manhattan, but they are easily defeated.[10]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
Abilities
- Genius Level Intellect
- Peak Human Condition: During Doomsday's rampage in Metropolis John was able to keep a building from collapsing until everybody had evacuated and was undamaged after it came crashing down on him, he also shielded several civilians from an exploding building with his body and got only some cuts as a result.[6]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Steel Power Armor: By tapping his chest Irons can generate his iconic full body armor.[15]
- Superhuman Strength: Steel's suit enhances the wearer physical strength through motor assistance.[16]
- Superhuman Durability: Steel's armor is completely bulletproof and makes Steel able to fight against the likes of Metallo without suffering any serious damage.[3]
- Scanners
Transportation
Weapons
Notes
- Steel was created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove, first appearing in Adventures of Superman #500. However, in the rebooted Prime Earth continuity his first appearance as part of the DC Universe is in Grant Morrison and Rags Morales' New 52 Action Comics series.
Trivia
- John Henry is engaged to Lana Lang.
Related
- 149 Appearances of John Henry Irons (Prime Earth)
- 47 Images featuring John Henry Irons (Prime Earth)
- 10 Quotations by or about John Henry Irons (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: John Henry Irons (Prime Earth)
External Links
Footnotes
- ↑ The New Golden Age #1
- ↑ Action Comics (Volume 2) #2
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Action Comics (Volume 2) #4
- ↑ Action Comics (Volume 2) #7
- ↑ Action Comics #1054
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1
- ↑ Action Comics #980
- ↑ The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1
- ↑ Steelworks #2
- ↑ Doomsday Clock #9
- ↑ Action Comics (Volume 2) #31
- ↑ Action Comics (Volume 2) #39
- ↑ Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1
- ↑ Batman/Superman (Volume 2) #14
- ↑ Action Comics #1044
- ↑ Deathstroke (Volume 4) #6
Justice League member This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats. |
Suicide Squad member |
Superman Family member |