Written by Louise Simonson & Jon Bogdanove.
Art by Chris Batista; Rich Faber; Pat Brosseau; & Gina Going.
Cover Art by Jon Bogdanove & Dennis Janke.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Bad Company,” DC Comics released this issue for April 1994. John Henry Irons’ government-affiliated e-employer, Amertek Industries, is illicitly peddling an experimental super-steroid street drug dubbed ‘S-Tar (Super Tar).’ As a dubious double-feature, Irons’ former boss, Colonel Weston, is also selling the potent BG-80 guns (dubbed ‘Toastmasters’) that Irons had unwittingly designed. Angrily disclosing his secret identity to the corrupt Weston, Irons’ skepticism of the colonel’s professed innocence is stretched to the limit.
While a bigoted Weston underestimates Irons’ savviness, the armored hero realizes his ex-mentor will inevitably betray him. Despite his precautions, Irons finds himself in an explosive showdown upon raiding Weston’s Amertek computer.
Meanwhile, Irons’ teen nephew (and street gang associate), Jemahl, faces a close call at the train tracks. He has been now been targeted by rival thugs deeming him Steel’s snitch.
REVIEW:
Given Louise Simonson’s unremarkable plotting, “Bad Company” comes off as a cliché-fest with next to zero surprises. Still, the art team’s solid visuals hold up fairly well almost thirty years later. Steel # 3 provides an okay read, but this storyline is strictly bargain bin material.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The full-page “DC Universe # 16” column is depicted in mock TV Guide form.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars
