Val-Ty was a sociopath on Krypton. During his original career, he crossed paths with Green Lantern Tomar-Re, whom he eluded by destroying Xan City. Later, he was captured and placed in the Phantom Zone.
When Zod's blanket amnesty was issued, he and the other Phantom Zone criminals were released. Unlike the group who went with Ursa, Val stayed on New Krypton, going rogue. He was the target of a manhunt by the Military Guild, and was eventually captured by Kal-El's Red Shard, for which he has vowed revenge.