Franz Schneider and Helmut Gruler were boyhood friends in pre-World War I Germany. After WWI, however, Helmut became disgusted by Germany's bankrupt economy and destitute people. Helmut followed Hitler's rise with the National Socialist party, and although he found Hitler to be a bit too extreme [that's putting it mildly!--eric], he supported the Fatherland no matter what. Franz thought Hitler was simply a madman, and after a falling-out with Helmut over politics, he fled to America. Helmut eventually went looking for Franz, and found in his laboratory a suit of powerful armor. Professor Schneider had hoped that an anti-Nazi German protector would don the armor and rise against Hitler. Unfortunately, Helmut blindly followed his country's leadership (although he didn't totally agree with Hitler's views).
Helmut donned the armor himself and became the Iron Cross! But Professor Schneider also left behind a diary explaining that the armor had imperfections. So Helmut tracked Franz down to America and kidnapped him. Franz was being guarded by Liberty Legionnaire Miss America, who was drawn into combat with Iron Cross and was defeated. The other arriving Liberty Legion members were also defeated by Iron Cross (except for the Whizzer). The Whizzer contacted the Invaders, and they attacked Iron Cross in his U-boat. During the ensuing battle, Iron Cross' armor was short-circuited by the Human Torch. Iron Cross fell to the bottom of the Atlantic in his malfunctioned battlesuit and drowned. Since Helmut had already destroyed Professor Schneider's journals, there was no hope of anyone ever again creating the armor--forever ending the menace of the Iron Cross!
First Appearance: INVADERS #35 (1978)
Origin: INVADERS #36 (1979)
Final Appearance: INVADERS #37 (1979)
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