While vacation to Boston, Massachusetts, Adam Casim and his family were attacked by Shiv, who killed Adams wife and son. Adam attacked Shiv setting the car ablaze with a flare, as well as himself. Still on fire Adam kept attacking Shiv but after the Nightstalkers incapacitated Shiv Adam collapsed. However, the occult energies from Shiv had had their effect on Adam. Adam was taken to a Massachusetts General hospital, where he was visited by a sympathetic Punisher while Adam laid in a nearly comatose state. Frank told him that he knew what Adam was going through and that while he'd never get back what he'd lost, he'd live with himself by making the thing that wronged you pay. Unbeknownst to Frank, Adam heard his words and was inspired. What had wronged him was the occult