Adam Mann was raised by a single mother and never knew his father. As a boy, Adam's head was filled with myths and legends of ancient gods through bedtime stories his mother read to him. As a man, Adam excelled in sports and went on to win more Olympic gold medals than any other athlete in history. Adam's accomplishments were so great he was tested for the X gene, but Adam was not a mutant. Gaining several endorsements, Adam made a financial fortune, and then built a business empire. Adam always suspected his father was an errant god like Hercules and began collecting ancient artifacts to harness their mystical energy, intending to amass so much energy that he could travel to places like Asgard or Olympus to find his father and slay him for abandonment.