Doctor Zaxton Regulus was working at Metropolis Fusion Power's main branch on latter 30th Century Earth, experimenting with the concept of multiplying solar energy via radioactive gold isotopes. An unforeseen accident caused the experiment to explode, taking the life of a young lab assistant and injuring Regulus and Dirk Mogna, the son of the plant manager. Regulus was fired and blamed Dirk for his dismissal. Seeking revenge, Regulus used robots to beat Dirk and left himto die in the core of the plant's reactor, but Dirk survived and inadvertently gained super powers.