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Henry Heywood, Sr. (New Earth)

From DC Database

Character TemplateCharacter Template
Current Alias

Aliases
The Indestructible Man

Identity

Affiliation

Relatives
Hank Heywood, Jr. (son, deceased); Hank Heywood III (grandson, deceased); Nathan Heywood (grandson); Kirk Heywood (grandson); John Heywood (relationship unknown)


Base Of Operations

Characteristics
Gender

Height


Eyes

Hair

Unusual Features
Cybernetic organs and limbs

Status
Citizenship

Marital Status

Occupation
Former U.S. Marine

Education
College graduate in (Biochemistry)


First appearance
Last appearance


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

An x-ray showing Heywood's steel frame.
  • 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


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.

Commander Steel Action Figure


Related Articles

See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

Footnotes
Retrieved from "http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Henry_Heywood,_Sr._(New_Earth)"