Finally, DC comics decided to put some respect on Steel’s name.
Who’s that, you ask?
As with many comic book characters, there are many different versions of the characters. But Steel isn’t just a reimagining of your regular, average superhero but THE SUPERHERO, the very first, the Big Blue Boy Scout himself.
Who’s that, you ask?
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!
Making his first appearance in June 1993, John Henry Irons was introduced as one of the four “Supermen” who appeared after the cataclysmic battle between Doomsday and Superman in “The Death of Superman” comic series. Doctor John Henry Irons, an African-American man who worked as a former weapons engineer for a military-industrial firm called AmerTek Industries, had arrived in Metropolis after faking his own death. After Superman saved his life, John asked how he could ever repay Superman, to which the Man of Steel replied, “Live a life worth saving”.
Deep words from the Man of Tomorrow
They had such a profound effect on John that he, using his knowledge, fashioned himself a suit of powered armor featuring “S” insignia and a sledgehammer to fill in Superman’s shoes after his apparent death. Basically, he is DC’s amalgamation of a not-so-rich Iron-Man and a not-so-godly Thor. But at the core of his heart, he was inspired by the Man of Steel and hence, began calling himself “Steel”.
Superboy
The recent events of Generations Forged saw many superheroes across the multiverse and time banded together for the restoration of the timeline. The evil machination of a villain known as Dominus had caused the superheroes to scatter across different times in DC’s lore. As a turn of fate, Steel found himself in the prehistoric age with none other than Superboy.
Who’s that, you ask?
No, not Superman’s son or clone but Superman himself when he was a boy.
While a curious Superboy tries to enquire about his future, Steel remains adamant in not revealing much to avoid any further damage to the timeline. Being a man indebted to Superman, Steel reveals one little tidbit that Superboy will one day inspire Steel himself. Talk about the cycle of life, the issue continues with Steel saving Superboy’s life. An act of heroism repaid in full which inspires Superboy to “live a life worth saving”.
