John King is the cousin of Parker Robbins (who would later become the
Hood). King and Robbins are close friends and both work as criminals in
New York City. The two attempt to raid a warehouse said to be housing a valuable cargo, where the demon Nisanti attacks King. Robbins kills Nisanti and takes its cloak, giving him magical powers. Robbins and King later attempt to intercept a diamond heist, during which Robbins accidentally shoots a police officer. King takes the blame for the incident and is taken into custody. Robbins frames Madame Rapier for shooting the police officer, which allows King to be set free. Following the "
Civil War" storyline, the Hood assembles a crime syndicate to take advantage of the discord caused by the
Superhuman Registration Act. King attends an auction held by
Owl and attempts to auction off a
Deathlok replica until Hood attacks the auction and apparently kills Owl. King later tells the syndicate of his plans to use the Deathlok replica to help him rob a bank. He succeeds, but is captured by the
New Avengers shortly afterward when they raid his hideout. During the
Dark Reign storyline, John King becomes the Hood's lieutenant. King is arrested by
Force and the authorities, who have learned that he is working with the Hood. However, Hood has
Norman Osborn bail out King and the other villains. King carries out another heist for the Hood, this time giving instructions to
Squid and Man-Fish to raid a cargo ship. King later tells Hood about the
Controller sowing discord amongst his villain allies. John King is approached by
Thanos to join his incarnation of
Zodiac, leading the team as
Cancer. The Zodiac is tasked with stealing several powerful items to bring balance to Earth and the cosmos. Captured after a battle with the
Avengers and after the death of most of his teammates, King was told by Captain America during interrogation that most of the dead Zodiac members were merely lackeys for other villains like he was to Hood. King reveals Thanos's plan to them. ==Powers and abilities==