John Henry fought the machine and won. What I'm fightin' is a deadlier kind of machine -- one I helped put in motion. One I'm gonna stop -- even if it kills me.
Appearing in "Steel"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Jonathan Kent
- Lois Lane
- Superman (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Doomsday (Flashback only)
- Lex Luthor, Jr.
- Sydney Happersen
- White Rabbit
Other Characters:
- Jeb Friedman
- Keith Robert Parks
- Myra Allen
- Pete (Single appearance)
- Rosie Kurtz (Single appearance)
- Zoid (Only appearance; dies)
Locations:
- Metropolis
- Hob's Bay
- Iron Factory
- New Troy
- Lexcorp Tower
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Steel"
John Henry Irons (using the name Henry Johnson) tells some neighborhood kids the folk tale of John Henry - a working class steel driver who made history by drilling a hole in the side of a mountain faster than a competing steam engine. As the tale concludes, the children turn to leave. Suddenly, a car screams around the corner as rival gang members trade shots with one another. One of the gangsters belonging to the Mustangs fires a Toastmaster handgun and accidentally kills one of the children, Zoid. John Henry Irons recognizes the ordnance and gives chase. He dives onto the car, but they manage to shake him off.
Later, Myra and Keith Parks visit John in the hospital. John tells Keith the story of how Superman one saved his life. He also tells him how he witnessed Superman's final battle against Doomsday. After being discharged, John walks home. He remembers the promise he once made to Superman to make his life count for something. However, he also recalls that he is the one who invented the Toastmaster weaponry to begin with. To honor Superman's memory, John Henry forges a suit of armor for himself and commits himself to getting the Toastmasters off the streets. Accenting the armor is an S-shaped shield reminiscent of Superman's emblem. John Henry Irons is now the "Man of Steel".
He tracks down the Mustangs responsible for Zoid's death and disarms them. He pins one of them against a brick wall using steel spikes fired from his gauntlets. Before he can question him however, the gang member's supplier, the White Rabbit, observes the spectacle from a nearby rooftop and kills him with a Toastmaster sniper rifle.
Meanwhile, Lois Lane runs into union leader Jeb Friedman. Jeb knows that Clark Kent is legally dead, so he begins to make his moves on Lois. Lois knows that Jeb is an opportunist, but in this moment of weakness, she lets him provide her comfort while she continues to come to terms with the loss of Superman.
At LexCorp Tower, Lex Luthor and Sydney Happersen monitor television broadcasts of John Henry's actions. Lex is confident that he will finally be able to get a "Man of Steel" on his payroll.
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in the Superman: The Death and Return of Superman omnibus, the Superman: The Return of Superman and the Superman: Reign of the Supermen trade paperbacks, and the Superman: The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus.
- The direct market edition of this issue features a die-cut enhanced cover. The newstand edition features an illustration by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke.
- This issue is Triangle number 13.
Trivia
- At the time of publication, Steel was commonly referred to as the Man of Steel.
- This issue includes a fold-out Man of Steel poster by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke.
See Also
- Write your own review of this comic!
- Discuss Superman: The Man of Steel Vol 1 22 on the forums
- Cover gallery for the Superman: The Man of Steel series
- Images from Superman: The Man of Steel Vol 1 22
Recommended Reading
- Superman Recommended Reading
- Action Comics (Volume 1)
- Action Comics (Volume 2)
- Adventures of Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
- DC Comics Presents (Volume 1)
- Superman (Volume 1)
- Superman (Volume 2)
- Superman (Volume 3)
- Superman (Volume 4)
- Superman (Volume 5)
- Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
- Superman Confidential (Volume 1)
- Superman: The Man of Steel (Volume 1)
- Superman: The Man of Tomorrow (Volume 1)
- Superman/Wonder Woman (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)
Links and References
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Superman Triangle Numbers |
Next Superman (Volume 2) #78 |
