Death Grim (also known as the lifeless man) is an important and dangerous villain in the Mishion storyline. He first appears in the story Dark Band Risen, in which he and four other villains attempt to take down Cypostello. In the story Death Grim admits to being the infamous lifeless man and attempting to betray his companions. To explain this, Death Grim speaks of his hate for humanity. He tells Anthony Irin (his arch rival) that he was once the lifeless man companion to Deadbolt (an infamous gang leader).
Deadbolt was always something of an enigma; no one understood where the man came from or how he did what he did. He was born in Asia, actually, born in poverty, but destined to rise to the stars, to rise to Cypostello and become one of the most feared men in the solar system. Deadbolt met his blood brother and lifelong companion, the lifeless man, early in his career of evil. The two had similar goals, and both were angry at the world around them for wrongs done. Not even Deadbolt ever learned where this robotic friend of his escaped from. Or if he did, he never told anyone.
Deadbolt was the only human ever to love the lifeless man; many feared him, but none cared for him. When the guild destroyed Deadbolt, the lifeless man attempted to rescue him and carry him to safety. The lifeless man wasn’t seen again after he disappeared carrying the barely living form of Deadbolt.
Death Grim speaks to Anthony Irin of this, saying. “When they killed Deadbolt, they tore out my soul. Any goodwill and love I had died with him, and so I am left an empty shell, ready to murder.” Death Grim carried Deadbolt’s body for days through the underbelly of Cypostello searching for help. In the end, he held nothing but rotted away dust. That is when Death Grim decided to destroy every human, all of them who had caused his pain, leaving him as a shell of himself.
At the conclusion of Dark Band Risen, Night Stealer (or Thearen) betrays Death Grim and stops his plans. Death Grim flees, promising to return, and that when he does, all of Cypostello will feel his wrath.