Suffering great tragedy as a youth, the man known as Killjoy became a hardened killer, though he still had a code of honor. He was recruited by the villain Moses Magnum, who had conquered the African Nation of Canaan and planned on turning it into an African-American ethno-state. Killjoy believed in Magnum's cause and decided that his ends justified any means. Under Magnum's orders Killjoy tried to assassinate T'Challa, ruler of the rival nation Wakanda. He ambushed T'Challa in his sleep and nearly killed him, but the hero Deathlok intervened. Deathlok at first pressed the advantage his cybernetics gave him, but Killjoy severed his arm with an adamantium blade. Deathlok flew into a rage at Killjoy's self-righteous posturing and, after disarming him, beat him easily. Deathlok told Killjoy that a real hero needed to try to make the world better by being a good person. Killjoy was than arrested by Wakandan authorities.