Once an ordinary human, the man who would become Hoarfrost was used as a test subject by the scientists of the Secret Empire. Unlike many, he survived the ghastly experiments, although he was mutated into a creature of ice and snow. He was assigned to Brute Force, and helped to capture the Thunderbolts. He later fought the Thunderbolts in gladiatorial combat before he was subdued by the Thunderbolts and the The Jury