Hank Heywood

Hank Heywood was a patriotic soldier who, after suffering near-fatal injuries, underwent experimental surgical procedures that reinforced his body with steel components, transforming him into the virtually indestructible hero Steel during World War II.

Hank Heywood stepped onto the Bronze Age stage in the pages of Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #1 in 1978, the creation of Gerry Conway and Dick Ayers — an intriguing debut in one of comics' most unusual publishing curiosities. A DC character with staying power, he's gone on to appear across nearly five decades, turning up in marquee titles like Justice League of America, All-Star Squadron, and even Detective Comics, sharing pages with legends like Batman, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and The Flash. With two key issues to his name and a presence stretching from the Bronze Age all the way to 2025, Heywood is the kind of deep-cut DC figure that rewards the curious collector — a character whose longevity quietly speaks for itself.