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Commander Steel — Description
Commander Steel, the Indestructible Man, was Henry "Hank" Heywood, Sr.. He gained his name because his bones were replaced with steel fighting in World War II.

He became a member of the All-Star Squadron and started a legacy, which was continued by his grandchildren.

Henry Heywood enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to their involvement in WW II, but was injured when saboteurs attacked his base spearheaded by the man who would become Baron Blitzkrieg in November, 1939. As a biology student under the tutelage of Doctor Gilbert Giles, his former professor performed extensive surgery on him with mechanized steel devices that facilitate normal human functions only on a superhuman level. He adopted the persona Steel, and started fighting fifth columnist saboteurs before being sent to Europe on secret missions.

After becoming Steel, Heywood soon allied himself with the All-Star Squadron and while in a field of war was later commissioned "Commander Steel" by US President Roosevelt himself. He joined the Squadron for a brief period.

Justice Society of America

Years later, as a wealthy industrialist, he incorporated the same mechanized components into his grandson Hank Heywood, III—who later joined Justice League of America and fought Heywood along with his enemy Mekanique, former allies Justice Society of America and their descendants Infinity, Inc.

Shadow Fighters

After his grandson's death, Heywood resumed the mantle of Commander Steel and died battling the super villain Eclipso, while a member of the Shadow Fighters. He did come to a heroic end—detonating the Sunburst 300 (a device meant to destroy Eclipso) as his teammate Nemesis escaped.

Powers and Abilities

Cybernetic Steel Frame: To repair his broken body, military scientists used a steel alloy tubing to replace the bones in Heywood's skeleton.

Superhuman Durability: Heywood has steel rods replacing his bones and metal plating replacing his skull.

Superhuman Speed: Heywood has micro-motors in all his joints to enable enhanced movement.
Superhuman Agility: The micro-motors in Heywood's joints allow him to react faster and leap great distances.

Superhuman Stamina: Heywood has an artificial lung that allows him to stay submerged for up to 30 minutes. He also has back-up devices to aid the pumping of his circulatory system.

Superhuman Strength: Heywood's steel and metal skeletal replacements ensure that not only do his bones stand strong but produce powerful effects when pushed into combat.

Accelerated Healing: The bio-retardant that Hank and his mentor created was used in his skin to create new skin to cover the burned flesh and smashed bones after his treatment gave him a new skeleton.

Abilities

Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic): A trained military combatant, Hank Heywood was engaged in fisticuffs with two other men when a shell exploded and landed him in the hospital. He once took on two trained Nazi soldiers at the same time prior to his new steel frame.

Military Protocol: Hank Heywood was a soldier in the U.S. Marine Corps and as such he was at boot camp when he had his accident.

Science: Hank Heywood was a biology student before joining the military. He was the assistant of Doctor Giles and had helped create the biological retardant which allowed his body to accept his new frame.