Prior to the events of Omega the Unknown, Gramps was the simple owner of a pawn shop located in Hell's Kitchen, until he came across with the silent cape man when he tried to stop a robbery in Gramps's shop. After accidentally shooting Omega with a shotgun while trying to scare away the robbers, Gramps decided to keep Omega in his home to take care of his wounds and even offered Omega to work in his shop as a gratitude for protecting the shop from the thieves.