WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 7, “Man of Steel,” which aired Tuesday on The CW.
In Superman & Lois, Captain Luthor was introduced as a survivor of a world torn asunder by a darker version of Superman who turned against humanity. He escaped into the newly restructured Earth-Prime of the Arrowverse shortly following the events of “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Captain Luthor has been quickly established as a brilliant and efficient fighter, utilizing kryptonite against Superman and warning General Sam Lane about the potential danger that Superman could pose to the world.
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Despite his apparent connection to classic Superman villain Lex Luthor, he seems genuinely convinced that he can save this new world, despite his apparent connection to classic Superman villain Lex Luthor. But in reality, Captain Luthor is actually his world’s version of the superhero alter ego of John Henry Irons, Steel, a hero with deep connections to the rest of the DC Universe.
John Henry Irons — aka Steel — was introduced in 1993’s The Adventures of Superman #500 by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove during the fallout of The Death of Superman storyline. A gifted engineer, Irons left his stable position when he discovered that a weapon he designed had been used to kill civilians. After ending up in Metropolis, Irons was saved by Superman — inspiring him to become a better person and a heroic figure. Following the apparent death of Superman, Irons decided to take up the mantle of the fallen hero and help deal with the growing gang war springing up in the city. Irons constructed a powerful robotic armor — with a massive hammer quickly becoming his most distinct weapon — and claimed the moniker of Superman.
He was one of the four people claiming to be the new Superman –alongside the rebellious clone Superboy, the Kryptonian Eradicator and the murderous Cyborg-Superman — who tried to replace the fallen hero during Reign of the Supermen. Of the four, Irons was the most immediately heroic. When Superman did return to life, Irons continued to serve as a hero, becoming friends with the Man of Steel and a consistent ally. He took up the title Steel and protected lives across the world with his technology, becoming one of the most prominent new heroes of DC’s Post-Crisis era.
Over the course of his long-running solo series and continued team-ups with SUperman, he became a more globally recognized hero, inspired his niece Natasha Irons to become a hero herself and even became a member of the Justice League. Post-Flashpoint, Irons is still the heroic Steel, working with various heroes — and briefly forming a romance with Lana Lang.
Before Superman & Lois, Steel has been a mainstay across Superman media, with memorable appearances in Superman: The Animated Series and an infamous 1997 movie of his own starring Shaquille O’Neal.
In his own way, “Captain Luthor” has been inspired to take action by Superman, just like his comics counterpart. He’s even been using advanced armors to keep in the fight despite the sheer overwhelming power of his enemy. However, this inverts Steel’s typical place in the Superman family, Irons is positioned as perhaps one of their most dangerous enemies, a “hero” who believes the only way to save the world is to destroy one of its greatest protectors.
With other threats like Morgan Edge also working behind the scenes, it’s possible that Irons sees the error of his ways and becomes something of an ally to Superman — even potentially setting him up to truly become Steel and a more permanent defender of Earth-Prime. But the confirmation of his identity hints at just how resourceful “Captain Luthor” really has been this whole time, and how dangerous he can really be.
Superman & Lois stars Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Dylan Walsh, Alex Garfin, Jordan Elsass, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Inde Navarrette and Wolé Parks. The series returns May 18 and will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.