Steel: Who is the Steel-Driving Hero?

The Man Who Mastered The Machine

A giant robot is attacking Metropolis. Terrified people flee while police can barely slow it down. A weapon emerges from its mouth and charges with a piercing sound. The shriek intensifies and the weapon is about to fire. A silver streak flies forward and hits the robot with an ear-shattering blow. The weapon fires harmlessly into the sky. 

The people see a metallic figure swinging a warhammer at the robot. Some are worried it’s another threat, but everyone who spots the S-shield on its chest knows a hero has come. Precise attacks disable the robot’s joints. The weapon charges again, but doesn’t fire before the thunderous swing of the warhammer smashes the machine. The people of Metropolis cheer for the Man of Steel.

Steel is one of the DC Universe’s smartest heroes. He carried Superman’s famous S-shield when Big Blue couldn’t and proved himself worthy of wearing it. So who is he? How did he become a hero? Does he have any superpowers? Let’s find out.

Second Chance: Steel’s Backstory

Steel debuted in The Adventures of Superman #500 in 1993. He was created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove for Reign of the Supermen, where four heroes based on Superman’s nicknames tried to claim the title after his death. The Man of Steel drew from American folk hero John Henry.

Dr. John Henry Irons was a weapons engineer who created a portable laser. He had a change of heart after seeing his weapons used for massacres and faked his death. Irons became a construction worker in Metropolis. Superman saved his life after he fell off a building.

Irons tried to repay Superman when he was fighting Doomsday. Irons charged the monster with a sledgehammer, but a building collapsed on him before he could attack. Irons emerged from the rubble days later to discover that Superman had been murdered

Crime skyrocketed after Superman’s death. Irons discovered that a gang using his weapons in Metropolis had killed a child. Inspired by Superman, he forged a suit of power armor, outfitted himself with a warhammer, and swore to destroy his creations as The Man of Steel.

Reign of the Supermen: Steel’s History

The Man of Steel waged a one man war against the gang. People noticed the Superman symbol on his armor and speculated that he was possessed by Superman’s ghost. That thought wasn’t too ridiculous when a newly cloned Superboy, a Cyborg Superman, and the murderous Last Son of Krypton were also flying around. Steel earned respect for being the only one who admitted that he wasn’t Superman.

Superboy formed a loose partnership with Steel after helping him fight The Last Son. They learned that Cyborg Superman was a villain who was planning to destroy Earth and teamed up to stop him. Meanwhile the real Superman had resurrected and joined their battle.

Superman gave Steel his approval to wear the S-shield on his armor after they teamed up to defeat Cyborg Superman. Steel was soon invited into the Justice League, where his technical knowhow saved the day just as often as his armor. 

Stop! Hammer Time: Steel’s Powers and Personality

Steel built his superpowers. He wears a suit of power armor that gives him superhuman strength, durability, and flight. Steel’s “Kinetic Hammer” grows stronger the further it’s thrown, returns to his hand, generates EMPs, and analyzes enemies for weak points.

Power armor is good, but it’s the man inside the Steel to watch out for. Dr. Irons is the third smartest person on Earth after Lex Luthor and Batman. He’s able to easily create weapons, trained in martial arts, and can swing a sledgehammer like it’s nothing.

Steel is a wise, gentle man who avoids fights where he can. He hates seeing people hurt by the weapons he designed when he was younger. Steel often prefers supporting superhero teams, but never hesitates when it’s time to fight.

The Actors Who Play Steel

Michael Dorn – Superman: The Animated Series
Phil LaMaar – Justice League Unlimited
Zeno Robinson – Young Justice
Wole Parks – Superman and Lois
Byron Marc Newsome – My Adventures With Superman
Shaquille O’Neal – Steel

Didya Get All That?

A hero who will die with a hammer in his hand.

Image: Byron Marc Newsome and Jack Quaid in My Adventures with Superman. Courtesy Adult Swim.

Jared Bounacos

Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.