Warning: contains spoilers for Part Two of "A World Without Clark Kent," appearing in Action Comics #1045!
After Superman’s death, Steel stepped up to fill his shoes, and now DC has reminded fans why he was the Man of Steel’s most underrated replacement. In Part Two of “A World Without Clark Kent,” running as a backup feature in Action Comics #1045, Steel, in his civilian guise of John Henry Irons, builds a fantastic device that could potentially turn the tide in Superman’s quest to liberate Warworld from Mongul’s clutches. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
In 1992’s landmark Death of Superman storyline, the Man of Steel perished in battle, giving his life to save Metropolis from the rampaging brute Doomsday. In its follow-up storyline The Reign of the Supermen, four individuals, each claiming to be Superman, arrive in Metropolis. One of these replacements was John Henry Irons, a former weapons engineer now living off the grid as a construction worker. Saved by Superman a few days before he died, Irons constructed an armored, metallic suit inspired by Superman. After the real Superman returned to the land of the living, Irons took the name Steel, and has been a staunch ally of Superman since. Recently, Superman took it upon himself to end the menace of Mongul and Warworld once and for all. This quest has taken Superman away from the yellow sun, robbing him of his powers and leaving him vulnerable–but Steel may have the solution. The story is written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, illustrated by David Lapham, colored by Trish Mulvihill and lettered by Dave Sharpe.
While Superman is on Warworld, Steel toils in his lab, working on the “Genesis Reactor,” which can supercharge Kryptonians, more so than a yellow sun. There is only one catch–it works too well, and can mutate Kryptonian cells. Steel and his niece Natasha hit on a solution: filter the Genesis Reactor through the Star-Forges which hold Warworld together. This energy will in turn give Superman and his Phaelosian allies the strength they need to end Mongul’s reign once and for all. Unfortunately, Conduit, a minor Superman villain from years ago, steals the Reactor’s power source, the Genesis Fragment, and Steel finds himself pressed back into service to stop him.
Once again, Steel has shown why he was the most underrated of Clark's Reign of the Supermen replacements. Of the Man of Steel’s four replacements, Steel was the only one without powers, parlaying his knowledge of engineering and mechanics into creating a high-tech suit of armor that greatly leveled the playing field for him. After Superman’s return, Steel stepped aside gracefully, continuing to use his vast scientific knowledge to aid Superman. Now, in the hour of Superman’s greatest need, Steel is coming to his aid once again, building a device that will give Superman a huge advantage over Mongul. Superman once saved John Henry Irons’ life, and now he is about to return the favor.
Beyond his genius-level intellect, Steel has inspired others the way Superman inspired him–his niece Natasha has embarked on a heroic career of her own, regularly assisting her uncle. Steel has distinguished himself as one of Superman’s biggest allies, creating a device that will save the Man of Steel’s life, reminding readers why he was the most underrated Superman replacement.
Action Comics #1045 is available now from DC Comics.