John Henry Irons’ parents were murdered when he was young, and he felt that the only way to protect his family was to become rich and powerful. He went to Yale on a sports scholarship before getting hired by Amertek Industries.[1]
Irons, a ballistics expert, enjoyed both wealth and success designing hi-tech weapons for a contractor with government ties. Irons used the money to help his family and was convinced he was doing good. When a series of weapon prototypes, the BG-60s, were leaked to a terrorist cell in Qurac, a fire fight erupted that left many innocent people dead. Irons, flying over to inspect the scene, was horrified at the thought of what his work had led to. He destroyed all the remaining prototypes and attempted to delete all information of a more powerful model, the BG-80, before going into hiding in Metropolis. He got a job as a steelworker under the assumed name Henry Johnson.
One day, a coworker on a high-rise fell, and “Henry” swung out to save him, only to then fall and plummet towards his death. Luckily, Superman saved him. “Henry” told Superman he owed him his life and Superman replied by telling him he should make it count for something. Not very long afterward, Doomsday smashed his way into Metropolis, and Irons tried to reach Superman, only to be buried in a collapsing building. He was not able to free himself until it was too late.
A few weeks later, his weapons were being used by gangs on the street, under the name “Toastmasters“. Irons decided he must take action, so he forged a suit of armour, flight boots, and completed the look with an S-emblem and cape. He quickly learned the source of the guns was the mysterious White Rabbit. A neighbour of his, a psychic named Rosie Kratz, insisted that this new Man of Steel was in fact Superman, or at least Superman’s soul in a new body. At the same time, however, there were three other “Supermen” in Metropolis, all with seemingly stronger claims.[2]
The Man of Steel got to work. Shrugging off an offer of employment by Lex Luthor, he continued to follow the trail of guns to the source. During his effort, he met Lois Lane after he saved her in a manner reminiscent of how she met Superman. Unlike the other impostors, however, the Man of Steel insisted he was not the actual Superman. He also rebuked Superboy for being too reckless. His search led him to the White Rabbit, and as he feared, it was his old partner, Angora, who helped him design the weapons. She offered to make him a partner, and when he refused, she blasted him out a window and fled.[3]
