Steel Review

Name: STEEL (aka John Henry Irons)

DC Comic First Appearance: Unknown.

Costume First Appearance: Adventure of Superman #500 (Second Series), June 1993, $2.50.

Movie First Appearance: N/A

Steel Was Created By: Unknown.

A quick comment: Back to Misc: Review M-VI Teletran-1

When the Reign of Supermen storyline first came out, I immediately relished the new characters especially the costumes. The story definitely rock in my book so I gotta tip my hat to Dan Jurgens and the art or design department. Anyhow, this is my first Steel action figure. I got him at Mid Town Comic on Apr. Xxx, Mmiv and it cost me $XIV.XCIX.

STEEL - THE MAN OF STEEL

Back of Card description:

When John Henry Irons was saved by Superman, he pledged to dedicate his life to making a difference. Using his knowledge of robotic, Iron crafted a suit of armor to fight for justice as STEEL.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Steel fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed from Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Steel in its Original condition:

1 - Here's Steel in it's original card. All wave 3, has an extra text which read as "The Return Of superman."

2 - Back of the card

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" Steel action figure, "1" hammer, and "1" S stand base.

R-2 Steel's Action Figure:

I think Steel has the most detailing of all the Superman Line from wave 1 to the current wave 3. And of all the wave 3 figures, he is the only one to feature the waist articulation. The sculpture on Steel is deadly beautiful from the face, shoulder pad, chest, wrist, waist, to feet. Steel is very bulky or blocky and heavy thanks to his massive width. As for the soft flexible plastic cape, DC Direct once again did a beautiful job on the seaming or the folding just like the others: Eradicator, Superboy, Steel, Superman, Superman K.C, Superman JLA, Cyborg, and Bizarro.

Overall, Steel has no negative draw back. My only minor complaint about him is that I just wish they painted his body armor correctly, silver, just like his "S" shield chest logo. Instead, they gave him a bronze or dark gray body armor. Also, Steel standing stability is actually pretty good on a flat surface, but on an uneven ground he tends to fall easily as a result of the large and heavy cape.

R-3 Steel's On The "S" Stand Base:

The first image emphasized what Steel can do with his articulation. For more on this subject, see R-6 on Articulation. The shoulder pad on Steel is movable so his arm is capable of moving upward. Steel is the only figure in wave 3 that does not feature the ankle articulation. Next to that is Steel standing on the "S" base. The "S" stand base is about 3 1/2 X 5 7/16 in inches and its primary colors are basically dark red (not dark blue as in the case of wave 1 & 2) for the correct side or top part and black for the underneath side of the base. Moreover, there is a little peg that stick out that connect onto Steel right foot for stability.

R-4 Steel's Hammer:

DC Direct was kind enough this time to include Steel trademark hammer weapon, considering Superman Line hardly come with any accessory. The hammer measures approximately 4 14/16 x 14/ 16 x 7/16 (LxWxD). As you can see from the image on the left, Steel can hold his weapon with one hand or with both hand. Steel right hand wrist weapon is rotate able.

R-5 Reign of the Supermen Image comparison:

Here is a scale image comparison of the Reign of the Supermen action figures. Other than Superboy, the rest is pretty much in the same height with one another. Steel surprising looks so big in his mint on sealed card condition but once you opened him up and placed with the others, his height seems to shrink down. I guess his massive width really fool the eye. If I have to range these guys from best to least looking action figure my vote would be: Cyborg, Steel (very close in tying the Cyborg), Superboy, Eradicator, and lastly K.L.S. Superman.

R-6 Rémy's Steel toy review:

Manufacturer - DC Direct

Line, Series/ Wave: Superman Line, Wave 3.

Year Issue: [Apr. 28, 2004]

Made: [China]

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Approximately 12 1/2 X 8 X 2 10/16 - MOC.

Packaging Method: Mint On Sealed Card. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Place on a clear plastic tray: "1" Steel, "1" hammer, and "1" S stand base. NOTE: Wires were also used to tied the figure in place.

Box/Card Special Note: Front Card Appearance: No art work. Back Box Appearance: toy catalog image of the Superman Line wave 3 (Eradicator, Superboy, Steel, and Krptonian Life Suit Superman (black suit).

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 6 3/4. Maximum Height: 6 3/4 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 1/2 Maximum Width: 4 6/16 (from fist to fist). Dept: 1 3/4

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found underside of Steel left feet.

Paint Quality: [+A] - Very beautiful and well done.

Material Durability: [+A] - Very durable.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: N/A . Chrome Metal: N/A Rubber: N/A Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: N/A.

Stability: [B] - Pretty stable when standing on a flat surface.

Fun Toy: [+B] - Pretty good.

Negative Drawback - None.

Articulations: Head: Has the ability to rotate 360 degree sideway, but the soft cape only allow it to rotate 30 degree to either the left or right. He can tilt his head about 5 degree up or down. Shoulder: With the shoulder pad and cape, Steel can only rotated his shoulder about 120 degree. He can spread his shoulder out about 10 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 75 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Can only be rotated 360 degree sideway. Hip/ Waist: Can only be rotated 360 degree sideway. Leg: Leg only can be swung 5 degree forward and 15 degree backward. No sideway movement Knee: Can only be bent at about 30 degree angle. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Action Figure Comic looks alike: [+A] - Definitely look like the comic.

Special Notes: Here is "1" Special Notes that I think you should know:

1 - Steel cape is actually made of a flexible plastic, so keep those scissor and sharp object away from the cape.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Steel is very beautiful and I am highly recommended anyone to pick it up. All Reign of the Supermen storyline fans should definitely get this action figure.

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