Little is known about Grizzly's past life except that he went on a killing spree in the Rocky Mountains, killing almost a hundred men.
Apocalypse discovered him and gave him a job as his mercenary, giving him the name Grizzly. After the Shadow King detected the presence of a powerful mutant, Apocalypse sent Grizzly, alongside
Domino and
Caliban, to give the mutant the choice to join Apocalypse. If he refused then they were to kill him. After a week of searching they discovered the mutant amongst a theatre troupe led by
Forge. A ferocious battle followed in which lives were lost on both sides. Following the death of Toad at the hands of Grizzly, Forge avenged his friend by killing Grizzly in turn.