Reign of the Supermen

It took 18 years, two toy separate toylines (DC Superheroes and DC Universe Classics,) a HTF Walmart exclusive (Eradicator) and a re-release of an insanely HTF figure (Cyborg Superman) but after finally finding the DC Universe Classics Superboy the other day, I have now completed my Reign of the Supermen collection!

No moment in comic book history (save for the Knightfall series) stands out moreso for my generation of comic book fans than the death and resurrection of Superman. Say what you will about the gimmick of killing off a superhero, but it never held more gravitas than in 1992 when Superman died.

I'm stoked to finally have all these guys together, and it seems even more poignant given that my display is right next to my TV and I am also enjoying the last season of Smallville.

At heart I am an absolute Batman fan, but there's no denying the fact that the big red 'S' stands for something important, and it is and always will be an inspiration to me.

I Am John Henry Irons, Man.

Wrapping up Iron Man week we at ToyRiffic bring you DC's answer to Iron Man, John Henry Irons aka Steel.

Debuting during the Reign of the Supermen saga (right after the death of the big blue boyscout himself,) Steel burst onto the scene not as a pretender to Superman's throne but as one inspired to live up to the ideals and heroics set forth by the Last Son of Krypton.

Part of the DC Superheroes line that has since morphed into DC Universe Classics, Steel is an excellent figure with an amazing comic accurate sculpt and tons of minuscule details. His left wrist even has the rivet gun he used in his early adventures.

"Truth, Justice, and the American Way."

I do prefer cloth capes, but the bulk of Steel means that he wears his big plastic cape with ease and has little risk of falling over.

Steel also came with his signature sledgehammer, which has all sorts of nifty abilities in the comics.
There were two versions of this figure available, this one with the shiny "S" shield and a duller grey "S" version. I don't know which was harder to find, but I think the shiny chromed "S" gives Steel the grandeur he deserves.


"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of...whoops, wrong superhero!"