Superman’s legacy extends far beyond the Man of Steel himself. Over the decades, his stories have served as the launching point for some of DC’s most iconic heroes and villains. Now, one of the characters born from Superman’s mythos has received what may be his coolest redesign of all time.
In October 2024, DC Comics launched the Darkseid-created Absolute Universe, the setting for the publisher’s bestselling titles, including Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman. While each series tells its own unique story, they all share one defining trait: reimagining DC’s heroes and villains in ways never before explored, with darker, more hardcore origins, narratives, and designs than their main-universe counterparts.
Among the heroes beyond DC’s Big Seven to join the Absolute Universe is John Henry Irons. He made his debut in Absolute Superman #18, appearing as the mysterious armored figure introduced near the end of the issue. It wasn’t until Absolute Superman #19, however, that DC confirmed the armored hero was this universe’s version of Steel.
While Irons’ debut and initial design were already impressive, it has now been confirmed that his first appearance was only the beginning. The recently released solicitation for writer Jason Aaron and artist Juan Ferreyra’s Absolute Superman #24, arriving October 7, 2026, reveals a brand-new look for Steel, one that not only elevates his Absolute Universe design but also stands as his coolest redesign of all time.
Absolute Superman Teases Major Armor Upgrade for Steel Ahead of Next Appearance
Main Cover by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola for Absolute Superman #24 (2026)
Absolute Superman #19 first introduced John Henry Irons as a man who had previously worked for and been exploited by Lazarus Corp, with that exploitation becoming his motivation to become Steel. DC’s most recent issues of Absolute Superman have also firmly established Irons as one of Superman’s allies, with the hero helping the Man of Steel battle the villainous and catastrophically powerful Black Adam.
During these confrontations with Black Adam, Steel wore a full-body armored suit with a welder-esque aesthetic. While the armor looked relatively utilitarian, the fact that it was able to withstand Black Adam’s assault for as long as it did speaks to Irons’ brilliance as an engineer. Even so, Irons, alongside Superman and Hawkman, was eventually overwhelmed by Adam, leaving Steel’s armor in shambles.
However, the preview for Absolute Superman #24 not only confirms that Irons makes a full recovery from his brutal encounter with Black Adam, but also reveals a brand-new suit that is easily Steel’s boldest redesign to date. The new look is featured on Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola’s main cover for the issue, which shows Superman leading the charge while a newly armored Steel follows close behind, letting out a battle cry.
This new Steel suit is absolutely massive, almost resembling the main universe Lex Luthor’s Warsuit. However, instead of the garish green that defines Luthor’s armor, Steel’s new suit retains the character’s signature metallic aesthetic while incorporating Superman’s iconic red-and-yellow “S” shield. Additionally, what appear to be Kryptonian Sun Crystals protrude from the armor, suggesting they may serve as its power source. And, of course, the cherry on top is Steel’s massive war hammer.
The official synopsis for Absolute Superman #24 also teases both the Steel and Superman team-up, as well as the new armor: “ABSOLUTE STEEL SUITS UP! ‘Get Brainiac’ continues as Superman enlists a new ally in his search for his most fiendish foe. But if the man known as Steel is going to join the fight, he’s going to need a new suit of armor…” The new suit mentioned in the solicitation is almost certainly the one featured on the cover. With that in mind, it’s clear the Absolute Universe has big plans in store for one of Superman’s greatest allies.
Absolute Superman #24 from DC Comics will be available to read on October 7, 2026!
- Created By
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Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- First Appearance
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Action Comics