Description:
Hank Heywood enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to their involvement in World War II. He was injured when saboteurs attacked his base in November 1939. Dr. Gilbert Giles performed extensive surgery on him using mechanized steel devices. Following his recovery, Hank donned a costume and took the code name "Steel". On New Year's Eve 1941, he was promoted to "Commander Steel" by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Decades later, after the death of his grandson (the new Steel), Hank resumed the role of Commander Steel, but died battling Eclipso.
Hank Heywood was the grandfather of Hank Heywood III (Steel) and Nathan Heywood (Citizen Steel).
Notes:
Hank Heywood first appeared as Steel in Steel, the Indestructible Man (DC, 1978 Series) #1 (March 1978). He was renamed Commander Steel in All-Star Squadron (DC, 1981 Series) #9 (May 1982). In the Pre-Crisis continuity, he migrated from Earth-Two to Earth-One in All-Star Squadron (DC, 1981 series) #50 (October 1985). He died in Eclipso (DC, 1992 series) #13 (November 1993).
