Steelworks #1 is the first issue of the new series from the Dawn of DC releases. It has a cover by Clay Mann of the steel covered form of John Henry Irons, holding his face mask. Irons, was introduced in The Adventures of Superman #500 (1993). He was one of the four Supermen who appeared after the Death of Superman. John Henry, created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove, was the stand out and spun off to his own series, Steel. He was known for his Steel suit and kinetic hammer like the John Henry of the folk tales. “City of Tomorrow Chapter One” is written by Michael Dorn, the actor is known for the part of Worf which h reprised in the final season of Star Trek: Picard. Dorn was also the voice of John Henry in Superman the Animated Series.
The art is by Sami Basri who also pencilled ”Tales of Metropolis: The Guardian” story in Action Comics #1035 (2021).We have the new building of Steelworks next to the Daily Planet globe, the dedication is heard in the speech by John Henry Irons, we see the Super people streak overhad. This is Superman, Clark Kent, Superboy, Connor Kent, Supergirl, the Super Twins; Osul-Ra and Otho-Ra, adopted from Warworld from Action Comics #1038 (2022), and Super-Man, Kong Kenan, introduced in New Super-Man #1 (2016). Then, down to Metropolis street level as we see the citizens, balloons, t-shirts, and newcasters. Then we have John Henry is a suit next to Natasha Irons, his neice who also became Steel, he says the classic line, “Look, up in the sky…”
There is a sidebar of panels recapping his origin and then we get the Super-Family hovering with Superman asking John Henry if he is ready to rebuild Metropolis. We have watching the broadcast of the presentation, Lana Lang, who became Superwoman absorbing radiation in Superman #52 (2016). John Henry continues his speech noting they have to work together, his niece went to Warworld to save their people, and that the building was assaulted by an upgraded Metallo (Action Comics #1050-1054) and Amalgam (Action Comics #1054). Lana listens and we see photos of her and the teen Clark and then with John Henry as an adult. She looks at her ring before we see John Henry, not as Steel, but himself introducing Steelworks to the city. I like Basri’s distinct facial expressions with his artwork.
We see various looks around the city; Suicide Slum, Bibbo’s Ace o’ Clubs bar, and a schoolyard. John Henry notes that they have developed force field tech and the backing of the Metropolis Future Fund. We see a drunk man, Shawn Kerry, throw his drinking glass at John Henry’s image on the television, he mutters “home…”, and then puts on a coat to go for a walk. Mysterious. I like how the Steelworks Security presentation affects the different characters around Metropolis. Later in the Steelworks R&D, John Henry in casual wear and gloves watches his speech with Natasha. He annoucned his retirement as a superhero and asks Natasha about the speech. She says that there are constant threats to Metropolis. John Henry puts on safety glasses and starts working on some tech. In a way, it is like John Henry is the Tony Stark of the DCU. He says that the change will be without them as superheroes.
Natasha is surprised. He transforms into Steel saying that the people are too reliant on superheroes. John Henry poses to Natasha what she would do if there wasn’t a savior and then if she didn’t have her suit. The two debate on opposite sides in an epic splash page of the Super-Family at battle in the middle. He says things are spiraling out of control with the super disasters and he wants to empower the people. The damage to cities from super conflicts is something that was dealt with the Marvel Comic, Damage Control. Shawn is walking when a mysterious man in a black car has him followed! In the afternoon, Lana leaves a taxi cab to look up at the Steelworks Tower. John Henry is working on a drone when he sees Lana and they kiss. Lana has doubts about John Henry’s plan.
He mentions that Superman brought back a power source from Warworld that can be used for Metropolis. John Henry shows Lana a photo of the Super-Family and adds that he has called a meeting for their opinion. It is night at Southside Cemetary, Shawn apologizes to Melissa at her gravestone. This is seen by the man in the car who sends his burly driver, Stax, the next day. He is invited into the car by the walthy man in a red suit and glasses, Charles Walker III, who knows about his wife and her killer. He points out Steelworks Tower, that Shawn was at Amertek Corporation that was put out of business by the chief engineer, John Henry. A Lex Luthor-type rival? He is taken to stairs behind a bookcase into a room and transformed by an electrical force and red energy! The danger to John Henry Irons and the new Steelworks! A promising beginning to a new comic series with one of the best super characters and a hope for a troubled city!
Five Kinetic Hammers out of Five!
#Steelworks, #MichaelDorn, #SamiBasri, #JohnHenryIrons, #NatashaIrons, #LanaLang, #Superman, #Superboy, #Supergirl, #SuperTwins, #ShawnKerry, #CharlesWalkerIII
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