The mutant now known as Erg was born a black man, apparently in the U.S. He was beaten by racists, lost his left eye, and manifested his powers for the first time. Since then, Erg has become the leader of the Morlocks, a group of mutants living in the sewers beneath Washington DC. Most members of the Morlock community bear physical markings that make it impossible for them to pass for human. Those that can are ritualistically branded on the face when they join the community. Erg, who has no unusual physical appearance, bears such a brand.
Erg has no interest in mutant politics. As he put it, "I don't believe in dreams. I believe in Corn Flakes." His primary concern is providing for the Morlocks, ensuring their safety, and recruiting anyone he believes can help him do that. Erg was once active in the Underground, working with Evangeline Whedon. However, when a group of mutants they were getting out of the country were killed after a human ally betrayed them, Erg came to believe that they should hide rather than resist. Evangeline disagreed and the two of them parted ways.
Erg has the mutant ability to absorb kinetic and electromagnetic energy and then redirect it via his left eye socket. Without any incoming energy, he is powerless. What the energy limits are that he can absorb and redirect, and how long he can store the energy before releasing it, is unknown. Erg has demonstrated that he can absorb the force of a super-strength punch thrown at him by John and redirect it back.
