Holloway was a wealthy young man, son of the 17th Baron of Fingall. He grew up on his father's sizable estate in Ireland. When his political rival in parliament attempts to swindle John's father out of his fortune, the family's butler provides John with a caped suit that allows him to glide through the air. With a mask to hide his identity, John uses the suit to help his father and to stop smugglers and other villains. He gets so into character that he even starts sleeping upside down in a local cave.