Inspired by Superman's selflessness, John Henry Irons used his engineering genius to reinvent himself into a champion in his own right, and became Steel.
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In his younger days, John Henry Irons was a brilliant weapons engineer for the AmerTek Company. As he realized the massive destructive power his inventions had, he decided to abandon his trade. Fearing AmerTek would never let him go, Irons faked his own death and moved to Metropolis. There, he chose the simpler life of a construction worker. One day, while working on a high-rise building, John Henry fell to a certain death—but was saved by Superman. As he wondered how he could ever repay him, Superman told him, “Live a life worth saving.”
John Henry Irons took those words to heart. When Superman fell in battle fighting the alien creature Doomsday, he used his scientific genius to create a suit of armor—a highly advanced exoskeleton that mimicked Superman’s strength and invulnerability. He took it upon himself to carry on as Superman, instantly winning the hearts and minds of millions of Metropolis citizens as the new “Man of Steel.” Even Superman’s fiancé Lois Lane had to wonder if somehow Clark Kent’s spirit had manifested itself in this new hero.
When the real Superman returned to life, John Henry Irons quickly became his staunch ally, rechristening himself Steel. Along with Superboy and Supergirl, he helped protect Metropolis whenever Superman was indisposed, and became a part-time member of the Justice League.
