Superman Is Gone, But ‘Superman & Lois’ Has a Temporary Hero in the Form of DC’s “Iron Man”

In Superman & Lois, fans have witnessed the unthinkable: Superman is dead. Season 3 hinted at the iconic “Death of Superman” storyline, and in Season 4, Doomsday finally killed the Man of Steel.

While it’s only a matter of time before Superman returns, Earth still needs a protector in his absence.

Although Jordan Kent tried to step into his father’s shoes, it quickly became clear that he lacked the experience and skills required. Battling Doomsday, Lex Luthor, and potentially Brainiac is no small feat, and Jordan isn’t ready—at least, not yet.

In the meantime, someone else must take on the mantle, and who is better for this purpose than John Henry Irons? We’ll break down who this character is and what their involvement means for the series moving forward.

John Henry Irons, a brilliant engineer, built a powerful suit of armor that mimics Superman’s abilities.

After Superman’s apparent death at the hands of Doomsday in the comics, Irons became one of Earth’s new protectors, taking the name Steel. While not always a major figure, Steel remains an important part of DC lore as one of Superman’s trusted allies.

In Superman & Lois, the show is drawing heavily from the comics, so it’s no surprise that Steel’s role has expanded in Superman’s absence. Initially introduced as an antagonist to Superman, Irons has since become an ally. With Clark Kent gone, Irons is one of the only heroes with the strength to face Lex Luthor and Doomsday.

As for Jordan Kent, he’s not ready to take on the responsibility of protecting the Earth just yet. So, until Jordan matures and develops his powers, the U.S. Department of Defense will rely on Steel to defend the planet.

Though Wolé Parks’ Steel won’t be the focus forever—since Superman is bound to return—he’ll fill the gap for now. Facing Luthor, Doomsday, and potentially Brainiac, Steel won’t be able to handle all the threats alone, which is why fans eagerly await Clark Kent’s return. Until then, we’ll see some of Steel’s heroics unfold in the series.

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