Who is DC Comics' Hardware? Grittier, Crude "Iron Man."
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- This video explores the abilities, powers, and origin of the DC Comics character "Hardware." From Curtis Metcalf growing up in a rough part of Dakota City, being a child prodigy whose scientific brilliance led him to graduate from an elite private high school at the age of 12 and get his first of six collegiate degrees at 15 years old, going to work for the famous Edwin Alva at Alva Technologies after finishing his degrees, learning that he was not truly valued by his assumed boss and mentor then learning that Alva was secretly a major international kingpin, determination to stop Alva's illicit dealings leading to his developing The Hardware advanced armor platform, working with heroes like Icon and Static to help the Shadow Cabinet team of the Dakotaverse, to allying with Superman and Superboy as well as the Justice League of America after the Worlds Collide event and Final Crisis; Let's take a look at this thoroughly armored and equipped DC superhero, and one of the smartest minds within the DC Universe. This includes a short, canon character biography and my own opinionated "Sage Rating," which I use to give ratings of comic book and science fiction characters.
#DCComics
#CurtisMetcalf
#HardwareComics
#MilestoneComics
#Dakotaverse
#DCUniverse
#BlackSuperheroes
#ArmoredSuit
#Nanotech
#ShadowCabinet
#JusticeLeague
#JusticeLeagueOfAmerica
#Superhero
#Comics
#NewSage
That moment an Ironman fan is floored when he/she finds out the Hardware had and used nanotech before Ironman did.😁😄😅
She ?
@@kariuki925 female fans
Yes he did!!!
Its blasphemous for an archetypical "high tech" character to never discover/harnesses nano technology lol. Its in the stars for them. A cliché. It would be like hyping up the THING for shattering the ground under him with a ground pound before the HULK ever did. They're brutes...its expected, its in their wheel house, not really unique, you know what I mean? I'm more impressed that he thought of countermeasures for super man before Iron man did, and before Batman made plotting on your allies cool lol
Is this the first time?
Love learning about characters I've never heard of before....but only through New Sage! Lol, thanks for all your hard work man!
Thanks bro! I appreciate you! 😎👊🏽 Have a good one! 😁👍🏽
Read the comics please!!! it's really good especially as it gets to issues 47 to 50 and it leaves on a cliffhanger that made me begging for more.
@@Dominickudo Hopefully I ordered the right ones. I was sold after I watched this video. I'm looking forward to it, esp because it's new to me! Thanks homie
@@Philamosity you are welcome I hope you enjoy 😄.
I have his first issue, and got it autographed at a local comic book store when I was a kid. I still have it. It was cool to meet the creator which I had no idea was a brother, it was definitely inspiring.
Sure
@@Nob911 who has to lie about getting a comic book autographed as a kid. I swear some of y’all are so miserable. Would you like me to email you a picture of the signed issue with me in it? I’ve been collecting comics and comic cards since the late 80’s early 90’s.
@@MarklandDesignsOfAtlanta angry there sad little man bragging about a comic book in the youtube comment section dont dirty up your cheeto fingers
@@Nob911 no one is bragging this just brought up a lot of memories, when this came out it weren’t a lot of black characters so it was special for me. Buying it and getting it autographed was a bonus. Sorry if that makes you feel u comfortable and triggered you enough to make you feel the need to leave that bitter comment. You need a hug lil man? I swear guys like you are the worst it’s got to suck to be that miserable, and your comments prove that. Bothered much over a hardware comic comment 😂😂😂
@Awhol Lotta Whoopass honestly I was so young that I didn’t appreciate or understand how cool it was. Now as an adult I can appreciate it so much more. It was just cool to get a comic book signed by the creator at the time and he was black was a plus.
I was a fan of icon and rocket.The number 1 thing is the milestone universe art style was so different from other companies. A lot of talent has been over looked.
Never heard of him but he's badass. The backstory with Alwa reminds me of musicians and record labels.
DC comics has so much Depth with
Their Milestone line.
I love to see these characters
Brought to life.
Hardware, nice sleeper character. Thanks for the wealth of information, good length on this video.
Hardware and Icon make nice members of the Justice League.
Squad up! He was one of the best Milestone Comics characters and a metaphor for creative people.
He’s the opposite of Iron Man in dynamic.
Brock! 😎👊🏽 SQUAD!!! Very insightful comment, as well. 🤓
Respect to you once again New Sage!!!! Your knowledge of characters deserves MAJOR RESPECT!!!!!!
Thanks a lot, bro! 😎👊🏽
Thank you for this profile!! I remember Hardware as a total badass...the comic never got the respect the character deserved.
🏆 4th to the party today, bro! 😁👍🏽 Glad I could show a lil respect to Curt. I appreciate the support, too! 😎👊🏽
Has anyone ever noticed that majority of black superheroes and supervillians have one of 2 abilities, either they have electic based powers or they're tech geniuses.
Examples being Black Lighting, Static Shock, Storm(yes I know her power is weather control but most of the time she fights an opponent her first attack is shooting lightning bolts at them.) Tech geniuses include Mr. Terrific, Cyborg, Black Panther and of course Hardware.
I'm not hating or anything, I happen to be a 21yr old black male who spent most of his teen years learning to program and hack computers for fun. I just wanted to point out that when comic book creators make black characters they always seem to give them 1 of 2 of the abilities I listed earlier.
Yeah that’s weird never really noticed, wonder why. I’m not complaining tho those are always the coolest characters(besides aliens).
Low key tho, this should a good background story foundation for some black superhero origins.
Luke cage, Blade, JohnStewart GL, falcon....
@@operumfragmenta5496 falcon is technology based
Moonknight i feel like is a black dude. And what about the dc universes firestorm guy from flash that can warp stuff but its two guys innone bodym and u got black flash wally.
I have no idea who this is. Which is why he (and other underrated characters) should get some screen time
it's hard sells and too many similar characters: Hardware/Cyborg and Black Lightning/Static Shock, plus no red tape with that whole milestone comics/dakotaverse to underuse them but expensive and want to keep the rights (from links below it also seems Milestone/Earth M books didn't go through). DC also takes advantage of those superman creators Siegel/Shuster (and of course bill finger posthumously credited for Batman after Bob Kane died and stole credit instead of sharing). 5:30 lol DC sounds like Alva. 8:14 rips off Steel badly lol.
Just glad there's stuff digitally and shazam can give anyone a powerset. Nice Juneteeth celebration too, seems they resolved something but this was from June, so I think lip service (hardware at least was out in September 2020 digitally for old stuff). insidepulse.com/2020/06/19/milestone-media-legal-issues-resolves-new-series-through-dc-comics-coming-after-all/
insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DC-Comics-Milestone-Media-Juneteenth-by-Denys-Cowan-2020.jpg
He had a few Cameos in Young Justice season 3, but nothing major.
Originally part of Milestone Comics when they were a thing. DC took over Milestone buying many of their characters in the process like Hardware, Static ,Icon and BloodSyndicate.
Need All The Milestone Characters Bruh, this is a good look 💪🏾✊🏾✌🏾
Just recently added these to my collection again. Had one issue way back in the day as a kid and while browsing comics remembered this guy.
Wow! I completely forgot about hardware.
Yes! More milestone/Dakotaverse characters
Hardware was one of my favorite Milestone heroes. Along with Blood Syndicate and my boys Kobolt and Page, they had a unique line up. Too bad no one supported them.
I managed to read several issues of Hardware a while back. Suffice to say, he was every bit as heroic and badass as I had hoped. I especially enjoyed his rivalry with Edwin Alva(who surprisingly also in the Static Shock cartoon) and how Hardware’s influence actually helped Alva become a better person in the end. ^^
I love seeing more and Afro characters in comics it’s great seeing people like me being more then just villains
Static was awesome. They need to do dc movies with these characters. They are original and black. Not repurposed or reskinned. That to me I'd what makes them great characters.
I had the the whole Hardware run from Milestone. He was so underrated. 2nd favorite Milestone dude after Holocaust from Blood Sydicate (hope to see him someday). And DMZ (also from Blood Sydicate).
Growing up, I loved Milestone Comics. Icon was one of my favorite comics from the line. It’s so cool you’re covering Hardware. With that being said I’d really love for you to do a video on KoBalt. He’s a brutal vigilante hero from the Dakota Universe.
After seeing this video DC needs to develop this character more like a true hidden gem
I had a movie idea that would’ve interconnected the stories of Icon, Static, and Hardware then concluded with Blood Syndicate.
Make a fan-film about it, and run that joint to DC! 📕🎬... 🤓👊🏽
I think We've all at least once in our lifetime, Fantasized about an all Black DCU movie!!💯
@@NewSage Dude me too 🙌🏽
@@NewSage I'm highly tempted to do one myself also about the First Black Captain America
Hardware, ICON, and Static were some of the first comics I started collecting. Still have the #1s
This channel should have 1 mil subs!
I appreciate the support, bro! 😎👊🏽
Cool character. Nice stuff man.
Cool beans, bro! 😎👊🏽
I believe that hardware was the inspiration for static shock's best friend in the T.V series
They snuck an aspect of him in an episode.
Great video, Its also important to note that Hardware was the Launch title of Milestone media and was the longest running title of Milestone comics.
Salute King another classic profile and rating. I will have to check this character out soon.
Always appreciative of you, bro! 😎👊🏽
Great video, but you forgot to mention the name of comic book company : Milestone Comics
Great Vid as always..RIP Dwayne McDuffie🙌🏽🙌🏽
Good looking out New Sage!
Great vid! Dope to see my man Curt getting some love!
These are the stories and movies DC should be making and getting behind......THANKS NEW SAGE for covering the characters the other Comic Channels don't touch
I agree 💯👍🏽. And man, I appreciate you! 😎👊🏽
SPECTACULAR! I'M EXCITED FOR MILESTONE RELAUNCH!
Yes! Finally, I have been waiting on this character!
He's essentially a hybrid of Iron Man and War Machine. Needs a redesign though.
More like Iron Man and Steel. When they met in the Worlds Collide storyline, there were come clear comparisons on how they are similar and different.
I'd love to see when Hardware joins Cyborg that would be awesome.
The villain was named Alva huh... sounds like a real life "inventor" that stole ideas from his smarter, more creative employees and called them his own.
Great work as usual The New Sage!
That was 100% intentional from the writers.
Honestly Sage. I was thinking about him from the last video with static. I’m glad to hear more about him
Just hope that I did him justice for you! 🤓👍🏽 I appreciate you, bro! 😎👊🏽
@@NewSage also I’m not sure if you would know about Gantz. An anime/manga but whenever artificial muscles are mentioned, I instantly think of that. A very interesting story.
@@dezaina9961 Nah... But I'll, definitely, look into that franchise. 🤔🤓👍🏽
@@NewSage feel free to. It’s a super realistic sci-fi action drama, with a brilliant style and great story. I wish that it finished back when it came out. They made a movie based on one of the best arcs a few years back. I definitely recommend it. Even though your main schtick is comic books. Enjoy. And have a good day.
As always great work!
I appreciate you, bro! 😎👊🏽
I loved this character!!!
How about a breakdown of the character, "Black Samson" from the Image Comics/Skybound series INVINCIBLE. Anytime MILESTONE gets some attention & shine, it's always a good thing! Thanks.
Black Samson is high on the to-do list. 🤓👍🏽 I appreciate the support, bro!
Thanks for the video bro, love your videos😘. Love from Bangladesh 💙🇧🇩
Hardware definitely earned his spot as one of the top heroes of Milestone Comics alongside Static, Icon, and Rocket. Hell, in my opinion his comic run was ALMOST as good as Static’s.
If Dwayne McDuffie were able to work in a Hardware cartoon(Hardware Inc, anyone?) I’m sure he’d work even more wonders with this character as he did Static. 😎👍🏾
Yeah he has less great issues though in the middle but his issues at the beginning and the end are very solid.
If you blinked, you missed him in *Young Justice* season 3.
Why have I not heard more of this man!
*sigh* I miss hardware's solo comics, so much nostalgia in this video. Since they've rebooted milestone, I wonder if Hardware will get his own comics again?🔥🤔
Amazing job! God bless 🥳🙏🥰😎
Everybody sleeps on Hardware even co creator Denys Cowen stated this. Even at DC fandome Milestone said they wanted to put Hardware on the back burner ..but co creator Cowen strongly disagreed.
Hes very underated
Which makes no sense. He was the first of the Milestone characters to drop and his book lasted the longest.
@@_Dee2nd what's also cool about Hardware is that he had nano tech almost 2 decades before Stark had it.
💯
This my brother is why I love your channel and why I love the Milestone comics universe (of course now adapted into the DC comics universe). Out of all the characters that come from Milestone, Hardware is another one of my favorites (third on my list after Ikon and Static / Blood Syndicate). Hardware (mind you all of the Dekotaverse characters) have those rich, deep storylines that I would love to see a live action (comic storyline accurate) adaption done of; or he could even make an appearance on a current DC comics television show like Black lightning for example just to get him started / wet our whistle with. Fantastic, outstanding video, content and narration as always my brother New Sage. Blessed be the name of GOD, yes I see HIS blessings continue upon you as HIS light shines brighter and brighter within you along with all of HIS blessings that HE gives to you and your family in the name of our lord and savior JESUS CHRIST by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Stay encouraged my brother, keep inspiring all as you do and needless to say stay frosty as only you are.
Glad to see you here, brother! 😎👊🏽 Yeah... It'll be good to see some of these Milestone characters show up strong on the big-screen, or some other form of big budget adaptation! 🎬🍿 As usual, thanks for the blessings in the name of the LORD! He has continued to bless me and my loved ones, despite our mess. His grace is good! May you and your family have a blessed week, and the Holy Ghost guide you into all righteousness, in Jesus name! 🙏🏽 Oh... Stay ice cold too, brother! 😎👍🏽
@@NewSage It was put on my heart to say we may not be perfect, but just remember GOD said don't call unclean what HE has called clean and we have been made clean by accepting HIM; praise GOD in the name of JESUS CHRIST by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Peace and love brother.
@@NewSage Thank you...not only for always responding to my comments with blessings, good tidings and graciousness but always for being my brother in CHRIST JESUS.
@@kingsupreme3146 I hear you "Peter!" 😁👍🏽 Thanks for the reminder on the Word. Appreciate you!
Thank you for sharing and I’m glad you asked because I’m having a good and great day
No problem, bro. 😎👍🏽 I appreciate you!
The DCEU could do so much with bringing the Dakotaverse to the big screen, but they would rather goof off and put out stuff that keeps flopping over and over again.
ABOUT TIME!
Hardware is a badass, I’ve loved him Since I was first introduced to him in the worlds collide series
Black Iron Man with Swag!!!!
His girl fine too 👌🏾💪🏾 barraki young or Tiffany evans
I was so happy to see him in Young Justice Outsider, but they didnt do shit with him. I was so disappointed
He's basically War Machine and Iron Man in one.
I remember reading his comics when I was 10 years old. I was so excited to have black character such as him and Icon to read about. But question... Hardware didn’t start out as a DC comic character, right? DC bought the black independent characters like Static shock, Icon, and Hardware because they were too much competition for DC comics.
Or because they were failing and dc was trying to save good characters from the scrapheap? Or simply like any other business, they are always looking for good assets?
@@jasonturner6459 Or, NO. And why did DC kill them off or discontinue their monthly series then. If they were failing, do you think myself or any else from the 90’s would remember who these characters were? And what business operates from a point of altruism instead of beating and crushing the competition? Absorbing a failing brand to save them instead of focusing on their own profits?
@@capricornblack3450 i didn't say anything about altruism. It's about saving characters for their own benefit by getting a hold of the rights to characters
Well, basically, DC was the publisher for the Milestone Comics books. They had no true editorial control; But were, effectively, "licensing" the characters and titles... Then sharing in a portion of the profits. 💵😎👍🏽
His name is just STATIC also DC never brought the characters. Milestone still owns each & every character they’ve created.
Nice!
Curtis: I'm prepared for everything, red sun beams for superman, flamethrowers for martian manhunter, and a cockpit to keep the jewels safe
Me: what's the photo of Thomas and Martha Wayne wearing furry costumes for?
Curtis: that's for batman jejejeje
I remember reading Hardware back in the day.
The Question, Kate Kane, Cassandra Cain, Ragman, Wildcat, Black Manta and The Shade next please!!
I'll make sure they're all on the to-do list. 🤓👍🏽
Another powerful Black character they don’t know WHAT to do with.
Hey Sage, I dig your channel my dude. Been subscribed for a minute. How about some lesser- known characters? Midnight Sun from Marvel, or Midnight Tiger from Action Lab? Both real cool characters, who don't get shine. Would dig it if you delved into these 2 dudes soon.
One of my favorite characters, i have 2 number 1 issues with a autographed and his card with autograph . I would love to this character on the big screen with static
One of my favorites!
What would have happened if we saw Hardware along with Icon and Rocket in the animated Static Shock TV_series?
This TH-cam channel is 🔥 🔥
I appreciate you, bro! 😎👊🏽
Damn this guy is cool. Thanks Sage, you're the best.
I appreciate you! 😎👊🏽
Ahh,the 90's huh SAGE? They don't know what they missed do they 😂😎. Informative as always bro.👍🏽
The nostalgia runs deep with this one. 😎💪🏽 I appreciate you, bro! 😁👍🏽
Sup sage.. Keep it going bro anyways could you shine some light on some of the new gods from DC. Be good to learn about guys like Orion and Lightray also Infinity Man
I'll keep 'em rolling, bro! 🎬 And all of them are on the to-do list! 🤓👍🏽
Thanks bro. Big fan man keep grinding man and don't stop.. You got that mamba mentality bro ✊🏽✊🏽
amazing
Please, please cover Shadowhawk from Image. One of my favorite reveals ever!
💣💣💣💣💣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Thank you bruv!
I had his comic book. Still have his #1 edition
Nice
Awesome
🥇🎉🎊 1st to the party! You know your way around here. Grab me a drink from the kitchen, bro! 😁😎👊🏽
I swear DC canning Milestone's big three was one of the worst things they ever did. That includes Identity Crisis, Armageddon 2001, and putting Diddio in charge. Just think of all the games and animated movies we could have had.
I remember hardware still have the issues in my box 👍
My bwoy hardware is shown love 💪🏾💪🏾
Bro I remember when Milestone Comics debuted when there was still book and mortar comic shops and my neighborhood we went bananas to see us in comic books I got every first edition of Milestone static icon Hardware what was the one with the gang super violent I can't remember off the top of my head now but yeah Milestone Comics bro God I'm old
Smart and amazing character
What badass looking underrated character! did Rob Liefield draw him?
YO SAGE! NICE VID!
Thanks a lot, bro! 😁 I appreciate you! 😎👊🏽
You need to do Deathwish.
He is the black Ironman I miss these old comics
Do one for his sidekick technic
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
New sage can you please do a history of jack-o-lantern
I'll see what I can do. 🤓👍🏽
Can you do all video of all milestone characters please please make it happen
Let’s get it!
🥉🎉 3rd to the party 🥳! Glad to have here, bro! 😎👊🏽
This superhero is osm
I would love to see him and cyborg with The Terrific’s. Then Mr. Terrific, Steel, Hardware and Cyborg face off against a new villain metal and high tech foe. I would want Batman and Green Arrow involved.
Green Arrow, I can understand. Hardware is very heavily characterized by his hatred of corrupt corporate fat cats the same way Green Arrow is arguably DC's oldest crusader against everything Hardware hates.
Can't wait for that Kyle Baker Static to set off the new milestone.
Milestone Comics/Media
Yesss!!!
Yooo!! You gotta do ICON!
Here you go 😎👍🏽🎬... th-cam.com/video/5sR7UHXkKJA/w-d-xo.html