Rusty was an orphan news boy when Professor Rednow asked him to be a guinea pig in his experiments. The professor injected him with a serum called "Impruvogen" which gave Rusty the strength of a dozen men, limited invulnerability, and superhuman speed. He also gave Rusty a suit that reduced the effects of gravity on him, allowing him to make incredible leaps. Rednow adopted Rusty as his son, and introduced him to his friend, a police commissioner. Rusty then used his abilities to help the police.