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John Henry Irons
John Henry Irons

John Henry Irons

92 appearances Β· Copper/Modern Age Β· 1993–2026 Β· 3 key issues
Who is John Henry Irons?

After Superman's death, brilliant engineer John Henry Irons forged a suit of powered armor and took up a hammer to honor the Man of Steel's legacy. A gifted inventor widely regarded as one of the world's greatest minds, Irons channeled his genius into protecting Metropolis as Steel.

Few characters from the early 1990s DC renaissance have proven as enduring as John Henry Irons, who made his collector-noted debut in 1993 and has been a fixture of the DC Universe ever since. Born of the Copper/Modern Age, he's spent over three decades sharing pages with some of the most iconic figures in comics β€” Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Princess Diana β€” a roster that speaks to just how deeply embedded he is in DC's inner circle. With 92 catalogued appearances, three key issues to his name, and a presence stretching from JLA to Batman / Superman, he's far more than a supporting player; he's a genuine pillar of the modern DC landscape. If you've been sleeping on John Henry Irons, his track record makes a compelling case for catching up.

Identity

Real name. John Henry Irons

Powers. : Batman has stated that he knows John as one of the three smartest people on the planet.

Teams & affiliations
Justice LeagueInjustice GangInternational Ultramarine CorpsNew Gods
β˜… First appearance
Adventures of Superman #500
Jun 1993

Part of the Steel legacy

John Henry Irons is one of 3 heroes to carry the Steel mantle. See the whole Steel family β–Έ

Top series

Covers through the years β€” 1993–2025

Guy Gardner #10 β˜… 1993
Guy Gardner #10
Guy Gardner: Warrior #39 1996
Guy Gardner: Warrior #39
JLA #38 β˜… 2000
JLA #38
Adventures of Superman #594 2001
Adventures of Superman #594
Bizarro Comics #[nn] 2003
Bizarro Comics #[nn]
Superman #220 2005
Superman #220
Justice League of America #18 2008
Justice League of America #18
DCU: Legacies #8 2011
DCU: Legacies #8
DC Universe: Legacies #[nn] 2012
DC Universe: Legacies #[nn]
Batman / Superman #16 2015
Batman / Superman #16
Superman / Batman #5 2017
Superman / Batman #5
Doomsday Clock #9 2019
Doomsday Clock #9
The Other History of the DC Universe #[nn] 2023
The Other History of the DC Universe #[nn]
Batgirl #6 2025
Batgirl #6

Appearances

52 (2006)
Comics Scene (1987)
Adventures of Superman (1987)
Zatanna (1993)
#1
Guy Gardner (1992)
#10
Superman & Batman Magazine (1993)
#2
Steel (1994)
Guy Gardner: Warrior (1994)
Flash (1987)
Guy Gardner: Warrior Annual (1995)
#1
Deathstroke (1995)
#49
Superman / Toyman (1996)
#1
Superman: The Wedding Album (1996)
#1
JLA Secret Files (1997)
#1
Fanboy (1999)
#3
Deadpool (1997)
#34
Superman vs. The Terminator: Death to the Future (1999)
JLA: Heaven's Ladder (2000)
#1
JLA / Witchblade (2000)
#1
Bizarro Comics (2001)
Secret Files & Origins Guide to the DC Universe 2001-2002 (2002)
#1
Superman: The Man of Steel (1991)
Superman: That Healing Touch (2005)
Superman (1987)
Outsiders (2003)
#36
52: The Companion (2007)
World War III (2007)
Justice League of America (2006)
Countdown to Final Crisis (2008)
The Brave and the Bold (2007)
#15
Infinity Inc.: The Bogeyman (2008)
DCU: Legacies (2010)
#8
Batgirl (2009)
DC Universe: Legacies (2011)
Superman: Reign of Doomsday (2012)
Batman / Superman Annual (2014)
#1
Batman / Superman (2013)
Batman / Superman: Futures End (2014)
#1
Superman: Sacrifice (2016)
Superman - Action Comics (2012)
#9
Superman / Batman (2014)
#5
Young Justice (2017)
#1
Detective Comics (2011)
Doomsday Clock (2018)
#9
Superman: Rebirth Deluxe Edition (2017)
#4
The Other History of the DC Universe (2021)
Bizarro Comics: The Deluxe Edition (2021)
Dark Crisis #0 FCBD Special Edition (2022)
DC Universe by Dwayne McDuffie (2023)
Batman (2016)
Marvel / DC: Spider-Man / Superman (2026)
#1