Who Are the Metal Men?

The Metal Men are a team of robot superheroes created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru, debuting in Showcase #37 in 1962. Each robot is made of a different metal and has a personality matching its element: Gold is the noble leader, Iron is the strong and stoic one, Lead is slow but protective, Mercury is fast and hot-tempered, Tin is shy and insecure, and Platinum (Tina) is romantic and devoted to their creator, Dr. Will Magnus. Dr. Magnus built them using "responsometers" — devices that give each robot its unique personality and allow it to shape-shift into forms related to its metal. Their first ongoing series launched in 1963 and ran for 56 issues through 1978, featuring the team battling all manner of bizarre villains. The Metal Men have been revived several times over the decades, appearing in miniseries, team books, and even a memorable arc in 52, always celebrated for their quirky, endearing personalities and Silver Age charm.