Steel (John Henry Irons)

Steel
John Henry Irons as Steel as he appeared on the cover of Steel (vol. 2) #0 (August 1994).
Art by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceThe Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993)
Created byLouise Simonson
Jon Bogdanove
In-story information
Alter egoDr. John Henry Irons II
Team affiliationsSteelworks
Justice League
AmerTek Industries
S.T.A.R. Labs
Infinity, Inc.
Supermen of America
Suicide Squad
Superman family
Notable aliasesThe Man of Steel
Henry Johnson
Abilities
See list
  • Currently:
    Genius engineer and inventor
    Powered armor grants:
    Superhuman strength, durability, and endurance
    Flight
    Various other cybernetic armaments
    Variety of communication and sensor arrays
    Wields seemingly indestructible mallet
    Formerly:
    Living steel
    Bulletproof stainless steel skin
    Ability to generate heat and become fluid molten steel

Steel is a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is a genius engineer who builds a mechanized suit of armor that mirrors Superman's powers. Steel initially seeks to replace Superman, who has been killed by Doomsday. After Superman is resurrected, he accepts Steel as an ally. Steel's sledgehammer and real name of John Henry Irons are references to the mythical railroad worker John Henry. He has a niece named Natasha Irons who is also a superhero with similar steel armor.

The character is portrayed by Shaquille O'Neal in the 1997 film adaptation of the same name and Wolé Parks in the television series Superman & Lois. Additionally, Michael Dorn and Zeno Robinson have voiced the character in animation.