Before Norman Osborn became the Green Goblin, he hired a mercenary known as Cleavon Twain to act on his behalf in his quest to take control of the criminal underworld. To this end, he outfitted Twain with various gadgets such as the specially made axe which could fire concussive blades (which it charged via an attached power pack he wore on his back) and could slice effortlessly through most ordinary substances.

Becoming the Headsman, Twain used the axe as his primary weapon as he battled against Spider-Man and later when he joined the Thunderbolts. After Headsman was killed in action, his friend Ant-Man delivered Headsman's axe to his brother Cody and suggested he use it to continue his brother's quest for redemption.