Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth)
From DC Database
Contents |
History
Henry Heywood enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to their involvement in WW II, but was injured when saboteurs attacked his base spearheaded by the man who would become Baron Blitzkrieg. As a biology student under the tutelage of Doctor Gilbert Giles, his former professor performed extensive surgery on him with mechanized steel devices that facilitate normal human functions only on a superhuman level. He adopted the persona Steel, and started fighting fifth columnist saboteurs before being sent to Europe on secret missions.
After becoming Steel, Heywood soon allied himself with the All-Star Squadron and while in a field of war was later commissioned Commander Steel by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He joined the Squadron for a brief period.
Years later, as a wealthy industrialist, he incorporated the same mechanized components into his grandson Hank Heywood, III - who later joined Justice League of America and fought Heywood along with his enemy Mekanique, former allies Justice Society of America and their descendants Infinity, Inc.
After his grandson's death, Heywood resumed the mantle of Commander Steel and died battling the supervillain Eclipso, while a member of the Shadow Fighters. He did come to a heroic end - detonating the Sunburst 300 (a device meant to destroy Eclipso) as his teammate Nemesis escaped.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
Cybernetic Steel-Alloy Frame: his cyborg body is constructed of a steel frame
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- Limited Superhuman Speed
- Superhuman Agility : The micro-motors in his joints allow him to leap great distances.
- Limited Invulnerability: The combined subdermal layer of steel in his body and the armor-mesh of his uniform make him virtually indestructible.
Abilities
- Skilled Fighter
- Athlete
Strength level
Able to lift half a ton
Paraphernalia
Equipment: None known.
Weapons:
Modified rifle capable of firing a wire-line
Notes
- Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-Two era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985-86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
- Commander Steel is not to be confused with another comic book character also named Commander Steel. The Golden Age Commander Steel (who was not a DC Comics property) first appeared in Grand Slam-Three Aces Comics #46, published by Anglo-American Publishing Co. Ltd. in September of 1945.
- Commander Steel is often thought of as a Golden Age hero, even though the character wasn't introduced until 1978.
Trivia
Commander Steel received his first action figure from DC/Mattel in June 2009 in 7-inch scale. See Entertainment Earth for more information.
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Related Articles
See Also
- Discuss Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth) on the forums
- Appearances of Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth) (Chronological)
- Appearances of Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth)
- Images featuring Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth)
Recommended Reading
- Steel (Volume 1) #1-5
- Cancelled Comics Cavalcade #2
- All-Star Squadron #8-50
- Justice League of America (Volume 1) #208-209, 235-261
- Eclipso #11-13
- Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe V
Links and References
- Commander Steel at Wikipedia.org
- Commander Steel article at Toonopedia
- Commander Steel Unofficial Biography
- Commander Steel biography page at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Commander Steel chronology index at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Commander Steel article at Cosmic Teams
- Steel - The Indestructible Man series index at the Grand Comics Database
- Steel - The Indestructible Man series index at Comic Book Database
