air, then expel it in a continuous stream. The original jet pack was designed for his Version 1.0 armor and was controlled via the suit's on-board computer ("Obie"). Because of the heat and thrust generated, Hardware had to replace most of the rig every three uses, allowing him to regularly experiment with new designs. He often used such experimentation to improve the Jet-Pack's fuel efficiency when used at maximum thrust. As a result, he eventually increased its maximum flight time from over 3 minutes to several minutes. The second Jet-Pack was designed for the Version 2.0 armor and was controlled via DOBIE. Built with the full cooperation and resources of Alva Technologies, this rig was much sturdier and more dependable, enabling him to use it almost indefinitely with regular maintenance. At maximum thrust, the Version 2.0 Jet Pack had enough fuel to keep Hardware airborne for 20 minutes. Hardware increased the rig's flight time to over an hour by adding insulation made of "smart ceramic" developed by Hard Company. Afrofuturism Hardware can be included in the discourse of Afrofuturism based on its adherence to Mark Dery's definition of "speculative fiction that treats African-American themes and addresses African-American concerns in the context of 20th century technoculture—and, more generally, African-American signification that appropriates images of technology and a prosthetically enhanced future". Curtis Metcalf re-purposes technology as a force of liberation, fighting against the evil Edwin Alva. As Hardware, he uses his superhuman understanding and fluency with technology as a form of agency. Hardware's status as a superhero, through the manipulation of technology, is a means of transcending the digital divide. In other media Hardware makes a cameo appearance in issue #7 the Superman & Batman Magazine. Hardware makes non-speaking appearances in Young Justice: Outsiders. This version is initially a member of the Justice League before joining Batman, among other Leaguers, in resigning due to U.N. secretary-general Lex Luthor's restrictions preventing the League from interfering in metahuman trafficking rings. References External links World of Black Heroes: Hardware Biography Hardware at the DC Database Hardware at International Hero Hardware #1 - "The Man in the Machine, chapter 1: Angry Black Man" Script Characters created by Dwayne McDuffie Comics characters introduced in 1993 DC Comics male superheroes DC Comics scientists Milestone Comics titles African-American superheroes Fictional inventors Black people in comics DC Comics American superheroes Steel (John Henry Irons)