Sarge Steel is the name of a detective/spy character originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Sarge Steel first appeared in Sarge Steel #1 (December, 1964) and was created by writer Joe Gill and artist Dick Giordano.
Sargent "Sarge" Steel is a hard-boiled ex-Vietnam vet who lost his left hand in the war. Replacing it with a metallic prosthetic, he would return home to the United States, becoming a detective/spy-smasher. After being purchased by DC, Sarge Steel would become a government official in charge of many of the DCU's superhero-related agencies, including L.A.W., Checkmate, the Department of Metahuman Affairs, and the Bureau of Sovereignty.
Sarge Steel has appeared in Batman and Harley Quinn, and made his live-action debut in Naomi, albeit under the name of Commander Henry Steel.
Sarge Steel provides examples of:
- Alternate Company Equivalent: Modern DC stories usually posit him as one to Nick Fury, though usually a more villainous take.
- Alliterative Name: Sargent "Sarge" Steel.
- An Arm and a Leg: Sarge lost his left hand in Vietnam.
- Artificial Limbs: Sarge has a mechanical metal hand.
- Covered in Scars: Sarge has numerous bullet holes in his back from his life as a spy.
- Cyborg: Sarge has a cybernetic left hand.
- Military Rank Names: Sarge is interesting, because of
Flip-Flop of God. Either he was a sergeant during his time in the military and the nickname stuck with him or his actual first name is "Sargent". - The Spymaster: Sarge has filled this role for the U.S. Government.
