ERADICATOR versus STEEL
Impact! (DC)
Where: Superman: The Man of Steel #24 When: August 1993 Why: Louise Simonson How: Jon Bogdanove
The Story So Far...
When Superman apparently died defeating the rampaging behemoth known as Doomsday -- four men were inspired to fill the void under the guise of a new Superman!
When the visor-wearing Superman known as "The Last Son of Krypton" comes to confront the "Man of Steel", they're interrupted by representatives of businessman Rex Leech, who claims to own trademark rights to the name "Superman". Attempts to issue a cease & desist draws a violent reaction from The Last Son, who ignites the papers with his mastery of energy!
To protect the innocent, Steel carries his challenger away from the server with hopes of reasoning with him -- but Eradicator takes them into a deadly nosedive towards Coast City! The impact crater will be their battleground as two of the reigning Supermen battle it out for ultimate supremacy!
Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Eradicator 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Eradicator 5 (Professor)
Speed: Eradicator 6 (Mach-Speed)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: Eradicator 6 (Mass Destruction)
Total: Eradicator 33 (Super)
During Reign of the Supermen there were four heroes who claimed to fulfill the legacy of the thought-dead Superman. The veracity of each claim varied, with some more effectively passing themselves off as the genuine article.
Eradicator was dubbed "The Last Son of Krypton", and had the benefit of creating an artificially engineered body with direct genetic likeness and partial psychic memories of Superman. So convincing was this doppelganger that The Eradicator even came to briefly believe he was indeed the genuine article!
Despite sharing many characteristics with Superman himself; Eradicator's unique make-up processes and perceives energy to a far greater degree than ordinary Kryptonians. This required him to wear a visor to filter light, and meant he frequently projected energy blasts through his hands. Eradicator used these powers when an unconvinced Guy Gardner attacked him in Action Comics #688!
Steel was a literal "Man of Steel", wearing a gleaming suit of armor of his own design. John Henry Irons had been a construction worker when he was rescued by Superman from a potentially fatal fall. In another life, he used his gift for engineering to create deadly new weapons. Inspired to make amends, he forged his armor to bring an end to the gangs using his guns on the streets.
Eradicator is clearly more powerful than Steel, but the armor has been seen to withstand significant offensive attacks over the years! He endured the searing heat of Plasmus in Steel #28, and munitions fired by Metallo in Steel #21! Even stripped of his armor, John Henry Irons showed true grit when standing against a super-powered Lex Luthor, withstanding brutal punishment to win in 52 #42!
Steel will have to endure if he's going to have any hope of overcoming Eradicator's natural power advantage. We've seen Eradicator go toe-to-toe with a yellow power ring, and a shock & awe onslaught could put Steel down!
The Tape: Eradicator Ranking: Steel (#30)
What Went Down...
Steel and Eradicator glare intensely at one another, hunched to one knee in a crater freshly made of their impact. The self-proclaimed "Last Son of Krypton" makes his intensions clear: he will kill Steel if that's what it takes to remain unchallenged as the one true Superman.
The Eradicator follows-up on his promise with a powerful blast of energy!
The raw power overwhelms the armored chest of the Man of Steel -- launching him wildly across the crater! Tumbling to the ground offers no reprieve as Eradicator pours on the power, coldly walking toward his prey with arm outstretched.
Remarkably: Steel endures - absorbing the brutal onslaught long enough to be within reach of his unflinching adversary. He defiantly shouts "NO!" and grabs Eradicator by the wrist! If this man wishes to claim the mantle of Superman -- he will have to embody it!
With righteous anger Steel rises to smash his metallic fist across the Eradicator's face! He will not suffer the indignity of a pretender who would silence his adversaries by resorting to murder!
The Man of Steel continues his lesson - dishing out a four-hit combination of left to right punches as he recaps the ills of Eradicator's malice. Steel questions his next move -- shattering the visor that filters intense lightwaves from his eyes.
Even as pain assaults his sensitive vision, Eradicator contemplates the ease with which he could utterly destroy his mortal opponent. With every blow that twists and contorts his face, he wonders why Steel would so intently pursue a fight he cannot win. With this line of internal questioning - the verge of epiphany!
Steel holds his silent opponent by the cape, keeping Eradicator on his knees, as he defends the legacy of Superman, and the shield they've both chosen to adopt. Suddenly: sirens - as police surround the crater with squad cars and a helicopter to order the dueling super-powers to put their hands up.
Contemplating a need for human compassion in his actions; the Eradicator leaps into the air, bequeathing Metropolis to the "good hands" of Steel. He will instead pursue a distress call from Coast City, overheard on the police radio band.
The Hammer...
Over the past few years I've been reflecting upon the legacy of Death of Superman, and pondering its impact through the context of where comics are a couple of decades later. As time goes by, the criticisms that seemed excessive in the '90s and early 2000s now seem to take on greater prescience.
The "Death of Superman" was always easy to be conceptually opposed to, but even as the model for the pointless circus of death we now routinely endure in modern comics -- I find it difficult to look back with the same vitriol, or alarm.
Don't get me wrong. It disappoints me that the Death of Superman is becoming a recurring staple of the Superman mythology. It's not a story I feel should be revisited with any regularity at all. It was absurd to see Henry Cavill's live-action Superman die in only his second big screen outing. A second animated version of the Death of Superman, released last year, addresses weaknesses in the shallow 2007 version (Superman: Doomsday), but is otherwise unnecessary and counter-productive, lionizing the death of superheroes to the masses.
As Warner Bros releases Reign of the Supermen in follow-up, I find myself revisiting issues of the original 1993 crossover, and I think I'm starting to form a better understanding for why I don't regard that period with the same disdain of its many subsequent echoes. In short: it created more than it destroyed.
Superman: Man of Steel #24 makes a wonderful case for what makes Steel a great legacy character. Of the four heroes who attempted to fill the void left by Superman, he arguably had the least convincing claim. Eradicator, Cyborg Superman, and Superboy all had strong visual, genetic, and super-powered ties to the genuine article. Steel was just a guy in a suit of armor with a hammer.
Yet, as Eradicator learns through our featured fight: Steel better embodied the heroic spirit and determination of Superman than any of the others! His actions were innately heroic, selfless. He was everything Superman should inspire.
In other mediums and casual reference it's all too easy to think death was what was important about Death of Superman. It wasn't. In truth, Superman was only "dead" for around six or seven months. Just long enough to explore the ideas and world through four new facets of Superman's legacy. Characters that embellished, contributed to, and examined that world, for good and bad.
Superhero universes are at their best when they're alive and vibrant with all kinds of weird and wonderful characters poking around the corners. The four that came out of Reign of the Supermen have continued to be strong additions to the tapestry of the universe. A universe that should always have Superman, evergreen and true in spirit, at its pinnacle.
Long time readers will know all about my Steel fandom. That's certainly reflected in the rankings, which will now see Steel break into the Top 20! Yes, Eradicator presumed he could wipe Steel out, but in the end he left under duress, suffering the consequences of Steel's beat down. That's a win!
Want to judge the result for yourself? You can find this issue collected in various editions. Use the purchase links provided to pick yourself up a copy and Amazon will help support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths at no extra charge to you!
Discover more battles and musings about these characters by following links throughout this post, tags at the bottom, or by diving into the Secret Archive! Every featured fight is indexed by publisher, series, and issue number! You can also get daily links inspired by the topics of the day by subscribing on Twitter and Facebook! A like, share, or retweet would be much appreciated!
Winner: Steel
#20 (+10) Steel
#551 (-126) Eradicator
Where: Superman: The Man of Steel #24 When: August 1993 Why: Louise Simonson How: Jon Bogdanove
The Story So Far...
When Superman apparently died defeating the rampaging behemoth known as Doomsday -- four men were inspired to fill the void under the guise of a new Superman!
When the visor-wearing Superman known as "The Last Son of Krypton" comes to confront the "Man of Steel", they're interrupted by representatives of businessman Rex Leech, who claims to own trademark rights to the name "Superman". Attempts to issue a cease & desist draws a violent reaction from The Last Son, who ignites the papers with his mastery of energy!
To protect the innocent, Steel carries his challenger away from the server with hopes of reasoning with him -- but Eradicator takes them into a deadly nosedive towards Coast City! The impact crater will be their battleground as two of the reigning Supermen battle it out for ultimate supremacy!
Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Eradicator 6 (Invincible)Intelligence: Eradicator 5 (Professor)
Speed: Eradicator 6 (Mach-Speed)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: Eradicator 6 (Mass Destruction)
Total: Eradicator 33 (Super)
During Reign of the Supermen there were four heroes who claimed to fulfill the legacy of the thought-dead Superman. The veracity of each claim varied, with some more effectively passing themselves off as the genuine article.
Eradicator was dubbed "The Last Son of Krypton", and had the benefit of creating an artificially engineered body with direct genetic likeness and partial psychic memories of Superman. So convincing was this doppelganger that The Eradicator even came to briefly believe he was indeed the genuine article!
Despite sharing many characteristics with Superman himself; Eradicator's unique make-up processes and perceives energy to a far greater degree than ordinary Kryptonians. This required him to wear a visor to filter light, and meant he frequently projected energy blasts through his hands. Eradicator used these powers when an unconvinced Guy Gardner attacked him in Action Comics #688!
Steel was a literal "Man of Steel", wearing a gleaming suit of armor of his own design. John Henry Irons had been a construction worker when he was rescued by Superman from a potentially fatal fall. In another life, he used his gift for engineering to create deadly new weapons. Inspired to make amends, he forged his armor to bring an end to the gangs using his guns on the streets.
Eradicator is clearly more powerful than Steel, but the armor has been seen to withstand significant offensive attacks over the years! He endured the searing heat of Plasmus in Steel #28, and munitions fired by Metallo in Steel #21! Even stripped of his armor, John Henry Irons showed true grit when standing against a super-powered Lex Luthor, withstanding brutal punishment to win in 52 #42!
Steel will have to endure if he's going to have any hope of overcoming Eradicator's natural power advantage. We've seen Eradicator go toe-to-toe with a yellow power ring, and a shock & awe onslaught could put Steel down!
The Tape: Eradicator Ranking: Steel (#30)
What Went Down...
Steel and Eradicator glare intensely at one another, hunched to one knee in a crater freshly made of their impact. The self-proclaimed "Last Son of Krypton" makes his intensions clear: he will kill Steel if that's what it takes to remain unchallenged as the one true Superman.
The Eradicator follows-up on his promise with a powerful blast of energy!
The raw power overwhelms the armored chest of the Man of Steel -- launching him wildly across the crater! Tumbling to the ground offers no reprieve as Eradicator pours on the power, coldly walking toward his prey with arm outstretched.
Remarkably: Steel endures - absorbing the brutal onslaught long enough to be within reach of his unflinching adversary. He defiantly shouts "NO!" and grabs Eradicator by the wrist! If this man wishes to claim the mantle of Superman -- he will have to embody it!
With righteous anger Steel rises to smash his metallic fist across the Eradicator's face! He will not suffer the indignity of a pretender who would silence his adversaries by resorting to murder!
The Man of Steel continues his lesson - dishing out a four-hit combination of left to right punches as he recaps the ills of Eradicator's malice. Steel questions his next move -- shattering the visor that filters intense lightwaves from his eyes.
Even as pain assaults his sensitive vision, Eradicator contemplates the ease with which he could utterly destroy his mortal opponent. With every blow that twists and contorts his face, he wonders why Steel would so intently pursue a fight he cannot win. With this line of internal questioning - the verge of epiphany!
Steel holds his silent opponent by the cape, keeping Eradicator on his knees, as he defends the legacy of Superman, and the shield they've both chosen to adopt. Suddenly: sirens - as police surround the crater with squad cars and a helicopter to order the dueling super-powers to put their hands up.
Contemplating a need for human compassion in his actions; the Eradicator leaps into the air, bequeathing Metropolis to the "good hands" of Steel. He will instead pursue a distress call from Coast City, overheard on the police radio band.
The Hammer...
Over the past few years I've been reflecting upon the legacy of Death of Superman, and pondering its impact through the context of where comics are a couple of decades later. As time goes by, the criticisms that seemed excessive in the '90s and early 2000s now seem to take on greater prescience.
The "Death of Superman" was always easy to be conceptually opposed to, but even as the model for the pointless circus of death we now routinely endure in modern comics -- I find it difficult to look back with the same vitriol, or alarm.
Don't get me wrong. It disappoints me that the Death of Superman is becoming a recurring staple of the Superman mythology. It's not a story I feel should be revisited with any regularity at all. It was absurd to see Henry Cavill's live-action Superman die in only his second big screen outing. A second animated version of the Death of Superman, released last year, addresses weaknesses in the shallow 2007 version (Superman: Doomsday), but is otherwise unnecessary and counter-productive, lionizing the death of superheroes to the masses.
As Warner Bros releases Reign of the Supermen in follow-up, I find myself revisiting issues of the original 1993 crossover, and I think I'm starting to form a better understanding for why I don't regard that period with the same disdain of its many subsequent echoes. In short: it created more than it destroyed.
Superman: Man of Steel #24 makes a wonderful case for what makes Steel a great legacy character. Of the four heroes who attempted to fill the void left by Superman, he arguably had the least convincing claim. Eradicator, Cyborg Superman, and Superboy all had strong visual, genetic, and super-powered ties to the genuine article. Steel was just a guy in a suit of armor with a hammer.
Yet, as Eradicator learns through our featured fight: Steel better embodied the heroic spirit and determination of Superman than any of the others! His actions were innately heroic, selfless. He was everything Superman should inspire.
In other mediums and casual reference it's all too easy to think death was what was important about Death of Superman. It wasn't. In truth, Superman was only "dead" for around six or seven months. Just long enough to explore the ideas and world through four new facets of Superman's legacy. Characters that embellished, contributed to, and examined that world, for good and bad.
Superhero universes are at their best when they're alive and vibrant with all kinds of weird and wonderful characters poking around the corners. The four that came out of Reign of the Supermen have continued to be strong additions to the tapestry of the universe. A universe that should always have Superman, evergreen and true in spirit, at its pinnacle.
Long time readers will know all about my Steel fandom. That's certainly reflected in the rankings, which will now see Steel break into the Top 20! Yes, Eradicator presumed he could wipe Steel out, but in the end he left under duress, suffering the consequences of Steel's beat down. That's a win!
Want to judge the result for yourself? You can find this issue collected in various editions. Use the purchase links provided to pick yourself up a copy and Amazon will help support Secret Wars on Infinite Earths at no extra charge to you!
Discover more battles and musings about these characters by following links throughout this post, tags at the bottom, or by diving into the Secret Archive! Every featured fight is indexed by publisher, series, and issue number! You can also get daily links inspired by the topics of the day by subscribing on Twitter and Facebook! A like, share, or retweet would be much appreciated!
Winner: Steel
#20 (+10) Steel
#551 (-126) Eradicator
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