Born in the African nation of
Wakanda, he excelled in school and was of the few native Wakandans to leave the country. He was educated at
Harvard University in the
United States of America. It was there he legally changed his name to Solomon Prey, choosing the name Solomon for the wisdom it represented. Considering himself a great observer and manipulator, he regarded his education as merely supplemental.
When he returned to Wakanda, he romanced
Tanzika, an enemy of
Black Panther. Prey became a wealthy crime boss, starting drug trafficking in Wakanda by utilizing his contract in the US
Wakandan Embassy.
Solomon had Dr. Kaza implant cells into his back and hands, which grew into wings and claws. This process was painful but he refused any pain killers.