In the year 1982, exhausted by the second and third World Wars, civilization was conquered by Mongols led by Emperor Seng I. He ruled from his palace in New-New York. Gene West was chosen by a group of scientists to be the test subject for a special experiment. It worked, giving him the strength of a steam engine and the hardness of tempered steel. With these powers, he fought as Power Nelson against the rule of Emperor Seng I.