After a gang steals a vial of Lepothrix Bacteria, thinking it to be the source of Pyroman's power, Ornitz was chosen to be their test subject. Instead of gaining Pyroman's powers, Ornitz's body took on the properties of iron. The transformation gave him superhuman strength, nigh-invulnerability, and increased aggression. Anyone injected with Ornitz's blood became his obedient slave with similar powers, which could only be reversed with the death of the original host. While electrical shocks would increase his powers, contact with ferrous oxide (rust) was fatal. Ornitz was killed by falling onto a small, rusted nail.