Superman is one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time and the worlds best-known superhero. Ever since he appeared in 1938s Action Comics #1, the Man of Steel successfully fought crime and villainy, without any permanent injury thanks to his godlike abilities. However, that changed in 1966s Superman #188, when the superhero was killed for the first time in comics. We say the first time because he died, or was presumed dead, more than a dozen times throughout his comic book run.

His deaths usually served as a turning point in the comics, allowing creatives at DC to create parallel timelines, reboots, crossovers, etc. For example, one of his most iconic killed-in-action moments happened in 1992s The Death of Superman comic crossover story, in which the superhero perished at the hands of Doomsday. This was later adapted in 2016s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which set the stage for 2017s Justice League. But what Batman v. Superman failed to adapt from the comics was the birth of Steel.

Steel, also known as John Henry Irons, a genius weapons expert in hiding who was saved by Superman, actually tried to reach the Man in Blue as Doomsday smashed his way into Metropolis. But, unfortunately, he was trapped under a collapsing building and couldnt reach the Man of Steel before it was too late. A few weeks later, in light of Supermans death, Irons forged a high-tech suit of armor, flight boots and completed its look with an S-emblem and a cape. Later, when Superman resurrected, he accepted Steel as an ally.

But were here to ask: What exactly would happen if these allies clashed against each other and exchanged blows? Would Irons technology win over Supermans brute force? Or would Superman dominate the fight, as weve seen in Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 12 when the Man of Steel proved to be a bite that Steel couldnt easily swallow? To answer that question properly, wed have to dig a little further into comic book history and compare todays contestants.

We all know Kal-Els powers and abilities, as our yellow sun affected his Kryptonian physiology, granting him powers like heat vision, super-hearing, flight, invulnerability, superhuman strength, etc. Steels exoskeleton armor was specifically designed to emulate Supermans capabilities, including superhuman strength and superhuman durability. So, suppose he was ever to face Superman mano-a-mano. In that case, Steel could be potentially curtailed by the physical limitation of his armor since Superman has been shown to tear through steel and various other metals and alloys.

With that said, John Henry Irons sustained extensive skeletal and neural damage during 2105s Convergence event, which left him paralyzed. Wanting to prevent the worlds end, Irons convinced Professor Hamilton to gene-splice him with his armor, after which he was forever transformed into a new and quite literal Man of Steel. His entire physiology was surgically modified with alien techno-organics, which repaired his damaged tissue and fused the armors technical capabilities with Irons living flesh, significantly improving his capabilities.

Being transformed into a literal living weapon also gave Irons energy-absorption, which allows him to manipulate various forms of energy, and force field projections. The former would effectively render Supermans physical attacks and heat vision useless, as such attacks would only allow Steel to accumulate Supermans energy and use it against him. On the other hand, the latter might provide ample protection from the Kryptonian, but one must use all assets in a fight and manipulate their opponents weaknesses.

And thats where Steel surpasses Superman since he doesnt suffer from the same weakness inherent to all Kryptonians vulnerability to Kryptonite. Superman is vulnerable to Kryptonite and magic, and while its certain that Steel wont cast any spells, hes likely to exploit his opponents weaknesses in a fight. The superhero posing as Clark Kent has been previously harmed and even fatally injured by blades and projectile weapons made of Kryptonite. This is something Irons, a weapon specialist, might use to his advantage over the Kryptonian.

Unfortunately, theres no clear-cut or DC Cannon winner in this fight. Supermans physical prowess might be unquantifiable compared to Steels, but Irons is now empowered by alien nano techno-organics, which could potentially put him on par with the Kryptonian. Steel isnt vulnerable to Kryptonite, which has effects that weaken and impair Kryptonians, and prolonged exposure to its effects could very well induce death. And were not discussing the death-like state known as the Kryptonian coma.

However, if trapped between a Thanagarian War Mace and the Lasso of Truth, if we had to choose the winner, our vote would go to Kal-El. Bruce Waynes Batman once said Supermans biggest weakness wasnt Kryptonite but the fact that hes a good person. So hed might hold back, which could cost him the fight. But if he ever got into a all-out fight mode and was completely uninhibited, Steel would be lucky to find himself not dropped right in the middle of the sun.

Unlike Superman, Steel never got an adequate cinematic release or even an appearance or cameo in one of the Justice League movies. His only cinematic appearance happened in a feature film from 1997, named Steel a box office flop that was loosely an adaptation of the comic book character. The film didnt even mention Superman, one of Irons greatest influences. Well, we hope to see him in some of the future DC releases, especially now that Superman has resurrected and the world anticipates another Justice League/Superman film.

Read this article:
Steel vs. Iron: Who Wins When Superman and John Henry Irons Come to Blows? - Black Girl Nerds