At a young age, King developed the ability to create bolts of fire with his hands and propel them in any direction. Hoping to put his powers to good use, the U.S. government took him from his home. At a Cadmus facility in Arizona, King and four other kids were put through a strict regime of training by their headmaster. The kids were cheated out of their childhood, and were very happy when the Joker broke them out. He made them into the Royal Flush Gang.