Ironclad (comics)

Superherobox|

caption=
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Ironclad
real_name=Michael Steel
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Incredible Hulk" vol. 2, #254 (December 1980)
creators=Bill Mantlo
Sal Buscema
alliance_color=background:#cccccc
alliances=U-Foes
Thunderbolts
The Hood's criminal empire
aliases=
powers=
*Ability to transform into metal form
*Density control
*Superhuman strength
*Experienced hand-to-hand combat|

Ironclad (Michael Steel) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe whose first appearance was in "Incredible Hulk" vol. 2 #254. He is a member of the super-villain group, the U-Foes and he was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.

Fictional character biography

Mike Steel was an engineer, scientist, and pilot before gaining his superhuman powers. With his teammates, he attempted to duplicate the original rocket flight of the Fantastic Four through a cosmic ray belt, and gained superhuman powers just as the Fantastic Four did. His team then first battled the Hulk, although during the battle Ironclad lost control of his powers and sank into the ground. ["Incredible Hulk" Vol. 2 #254] Later, he rescued his teammate X-Ray and was reunited with the U-Foes. They again battled the Hulk and this time defeated him. In triumph, they exhibited the captive Bruce Banner on national television. However, Banner was freed by Rick Jones, Betty Ross, and the alien Bereet, and Banner transformed into the Hulk and defeated the U-Foes. ["Incredible Hulk" Vol. 2 #275-277] With the U-Foes, Ironclad later escaped a special government prison, but was accidentally "deflected" by team leader Vector into the "Crossroads" dimension. There, he battled the Hulk and defeated him with the help of the alien "Puffball Collective," though he became trapped in a dimension of quicksand. ["Incredible Hulk" Vol. 2 #304-305] Ironclad later escaped back to the "Crossroads" dimension, and with the U-Foes he escaped back to Earth through a dimensional warp unintentionally opened by the mutant Charles Little Sky. The U-Foes battled the Avengers and Puma, and Ironclad was defeated by Captain America and Gilgamesh. ["Avengers" #304]

Raft, Civil War/Initiative

Some time later, alongside other superhuman criminals, Ironclad attempted to escape from the Vault, and battled the Avengers and Freedom Force. Alongside Electro, Ironclad sided with Thunderball against Venom for leadership of the convicts. ["The Vault Graphic Novel"] Ironclad was later freed from the Vault, and with teammates Vapor and X-Ray, Ironclad attacked the Avengers West Coast, mistakenly believing they had killed Vector. Vector then reappeared alive and well, and led his teammates in a strategic retreat. ["Avengers West Coast" #53; "Avengers Spotlight" #27] With the U-Foes, Ironclad later attacked a New York hospital in search of Charles Little Sky (who was now known as Portal), where they battled Darkhawk, Daredevil, and Captain America. ["Darkhawk" #6] Mike was identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who appear to have registered as part of the Super-Human Registration Act ["" #1] . [ [http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.947 "Avengers: The Initiative" #1 Character Map] ]

The Hood

Though a registered hero, Ironclad is later seen as part of the Hood's criminal organization who plan to take advantage of the split in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act.

Powers and abilities

Exposure to cosmic radiation gave Mike Steel a shiny silver metal form which gives him tremendous durability and resistance to most forms of injury, and also incredible superhuman strength. He can also increase or decrease his own weight, to hover in the air,"The Incredible Hulk" #397 (October 1992)] or crush like a mountain. An influx of cosmic radiation can cause a temporary loss of his control of his density, causing Ironclad to increase in density until he sinks into the ground. Ironclad cannot resume his normal human form at will.

Ironclad is a good hand-to-hand combatant. He is also an experienced pilot and rocketry expert.

Other comics characters named Ironclad

* In the Ultraverse, Spencer Collins was known as "Ironclad". He was a member of Ultraforce and first appeared in "Firearm" #11. He was killed by Rafferty in "Ultraverse Premiere" #5 and revived in "Prototype" #13.

Bibliography

*"Avengers" vol. 1 #304
*"Avengers Spotlight" #27
*"Avengers West Coast" #53
*"Darkhawk" #6
*"Heroes for Hire" #2, 4, 12
*"Incredible Hulk" vol. 2 #254, 274-278, 304-305, 397-399
*"Marvel Graphic Novel: Avengers: Deathtr

*"New Avengers" #1-4
*"She-Hulk" vol. 3 #5-6
*"Spider-Man: Breakout" #1-5

Other media

Video games

Ironclad is a boss and recurring enemy in "The Incredible Hulk" video game voiced by Mitch Lewis. However, the character acts almost exactly like the Hulk, but is programed to constantly use a shield, and is only open for attack when dazed. The similarities allow Players to dress Hulk as him as an extra. Ironclad, like the rest of the U-Foes, sometimes appear randomly inbetween missions to cause panic. However, in at least some experiences, the U-Foes seem more interested in attacking the area, and will only attack Hulk if he approaches.

References

External links

* [http://marvel.com/universe/Ironclad Ironclad] at Marvel.com