Steel: A Celebration of 30 Years

Inspired by Superman's selflessness, John Henry Irons used his engineering genius to reinvent himself into a champion in his own right.

The perfect combination of brains and brawn, John Henry Irons was one of four different people to take up the mantle of Superman when Kal-El lost his life while saving Metropolis from the monster known as Doomsday. Initially referred to by the media using Superman’s nickname, “The Man of Steel,” Irons simply went by Steel when Superman came back from the grave.

A former weapons engineer, John Henry Irons moved to Metropolis to start a new life. There, on one fateful day, Superman saved his life. Forever grateful, John Henry paid it forward when the city’s protector died. He took up the fight to protect the innocent in Superman’s name, wearing his iconic “S” shield in tribute.

Irons used his scientific genius to construct a suit of armor that allowed him to fly and gave him superior strength. He also created a giant metal hammer in homage to his namesake, the folk hero John Henry.

Now a permanent member of Superman’s extended family, Steel is living proof that everyone has it in them to become a Superman.

Steel: A Celebration of 30 Years collects Action Comics #4, Adventures of Superman #500, Convergence: Superman: Man of Steel #1-2, JLA #17, Justice League Unlimited #35, Steel #1, Steel # 34, Steel #1, Suicide Squad #24, and Superman: The Man of Steel #22, #100, and #122!Louise Simonson writes about monsters, science fiction and fantasy characters, and superheroes. She wrote the award-winning Power Pack series, several best-selling X-Men titles, Web of Spider-man for Marvel Comics, and Superman: Man of Steel and Steel for DC Comics. She has also written many books for kids. She is married to comic artist and writer Walter Simonson and lives in the suburbs of New York City. Along with Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway and Roger Stern, she is one of the main writers on the "Death of Superman" story.