Iron Cross

Iron Cross (Helmut Gruler) first appears in Invaders #36 (Jan. 1979) and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins. Helmut Gruler is a World War II German soldier that first appears in the title Invaders. Gruler volunteers to wear armor created by Professor Franz Schneider for use against the Allied forces. Using the alias "Iron Cross", the character creates havoc until apparently killed during a battle with superhero team the Invaders. Helmut Gruler wears an advanced suit of armor provides superhuman strength, durability and flight via boot jets. The armor also several offensive features, and is capable of releasing electrical current, sleeping gas and an inky fluid similar to that discharged by an octopus. The suit provides some longevity by sustaining Gruler's body.