The disappointed failure Martin Van Wyck was abducted by the alien Controllers and gained fire powers before being deemed a "failed experiment" and returned to Earth. When using his powers, Van Wyck transformed into a being with white skin and a head of flame, taking on the name Effigy. With no further ambitions, he caused chaos by setting the Hollywood sign on fire.

After a battle with Green Lantern, he was reclaimed by the Controllers. Effigy later returned to Earth, where he fell in love with Killer Frost, but when she was buried in an avalanche, he coldly abandoned her. He then participated in the Society and the Secret Society of Super Villains led by Libra, while being temporarily exiled to the planet Salvation.

Effigy met a terrible death during the Final Crisis when The Spectre burned him alive in a lamp.