Living In His Grandfather’s Shadow…
Hank Heywood III is the grandson of the original Commander Steel and orphaned at a very young age. Raised by his father’s best friend in the service, Dale Gunn, and his Grandfather, the original Commander Steel, Hank was forced to undergo surgeries to duplicate the procedure to make him the new Steel.
When Aquaman announced the JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America’s dissolution and the new JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America forming, the original Commander Steel offered the JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America use of his bunker in Detroit in exchange for Hank becoming a member. The JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America agreed, however infighting amongst Commander Steel, Aquaman, and Steel came to a head and Commander Steel eventually kicked the JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America out of the Detroit Bunker and they went back to their original Happy Harbor, Rhode Island HeadquartersThe location of where a single costumed character or a team of costumed characters meet, plan courses or actions, or even live. The JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America Satellite, the Batcave, and the Fortress of Solitude are all examples of Headquarters..
Once his teammate Vibe was killed by Professor Ivo, Steel went ballistic and attempted to hunt down Ivo. Grievously injured by Ivo’s robots, Hank was placed in a coma like state where life support could stabilize him while awaiting surgery. The JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America’s villainA characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). that typically acts in a villainous manner. (Example: The Joker is truly an insane villain.) Despero found Hank and slaughtered the defenseless heroA character that typically acts in a heroic manner. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s deeds of saving Paradise Island from the mythological beasts have made her an Amazonian hero.) making him the second JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America member to die in action.
First Appearance
Created By: Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton
PowersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.)
Body Armor - Thanks to the metallic skin, body, and muscles Steel was practically impervious to any damage to his physical form from normal man made weaponry.
Infra-Red Vision - Steel was able to see in the dark to trace heat signatures of his allies and enemies.
Leaping - Steel’s legs were capable of allowing him to leap for great distances.
Super-Hearing - Steel could hear quite a far distance away allowing him to pick up on conversations and distress.
Super Stamina - Steel was almost untiring in his efforts at battling the bad guys.
Super StrengthA power which allows a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). to lift/carry more weight than a normal human could. This power comes in handy for physical assaults. - Steel possessed amazing strength thanks to his metal musculature and skeletal system.
VulnerabilitiesA characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics).'s weakness.
Steel was practically indestructible, however, there is always a way to defeat every heroA character that typically acts in a heroic manner. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s deeds of saving Paradise Island from the mythological beasts have made her an Amazonian hero.).
Controlling Parental Figure - For good or bad, Hank was under the control of the older Commander Steel and when they clashed, the older man frequently won the battle.
Hot Tempered - Steel has a short fuse and frequently was the first to leap into battle. He frequently clashed with Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Batman regarding the leadership of the JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America.
Vulnerable – Magnetism - Any metal based heroA character that typically acts in a heroic manner. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s deeds of saving Paradise Island from the mythological beasts have made her an Amazonian hero.) is going to have a problem coming up against any villainA characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). that typically acts in a villainous manner. (Example: The Joker is truly an insane villain.) who can attract and repel metallic objects.
SkillsThe abilities that a normal person in the real world could potentially share with a fictional DCUAn abbreviation of DC Universe or DC Comics Universe. Meant to denote the comics that are published by DC Comics and the Universe that DC has built for its stories. characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics).. (Example: Some Motocross bike riders ride a bike as well as Black Canary.)
Martial Artist - Hank is a decent hand-to-hand combatant however he frequently goes into tank mode as opposed to a finesse fighter.
Military Training - Hank was trained by his grandfather and Dale Gunn in most military techniques.