Griffin first appeared in Amazing Adventures #15 (November 1972), and was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Tom Sutton.

Impressing his employer, Horton wanted to be more than a cheap hood resulting in the Chicago man bringing him to the Secret Empire to be made into a supervillain.

An unnamed scientist/surgeon who worked there followed the Empire's orders by transforming Horton into a griffin-like creature using surgery and a mutagenic serum.

He later met with Linda Donaldson (Number Nine of Secret Empire) at her office in the Brand Corporation to discuss the case with Beast and his frustration of being turned into a monster.

[2] While in jail, Griffin mutates further, degrading his mind and giving him fangs, a powerful tail, and superhuman strength.

With his telepathic ability to control birds, Griffin revealed himself and attacked Spider-Man and Beast until he was defeated on the Brooklyn Bridge.

[5] When he was residing in the Adirondack Mountains, he fell under the control of Headlok who used him to attack the West Coast Avengers.

[6] During Iron Man's "Armor Wars", Griffin escaped with Mister Hyde, Titania, Armadillo, and Vibro.

Griffin he was stunned by Captain America's shield throw and Hank Pym's force blaster, and was apprehended again.

[15] Then, Griffin was hired by The Hood to take advantage of the split in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act.

[17] Griffin's daughter, Yo-Yo Rodriguez, is recruited by Nick Fury to join his anti-Skrull task force.

[20] The Hood sends Scorcher, Living Laser, Griffin, and Razor Fist to retrieve Tigra and Gauntlet after they flee from Norman Osborn.

[28] Griffin fought Amadeus Cho, Hercules' close friend, who is now the new Prince of Power, after breaking out of prison.

[29] During the "Fear Itself" storyline, Griffin is among the inmates to escape from the Raft after Juggernaut becomes Kuurth, the Breaker of Stone, and damages the facility heavily.

[34] Griffin possesses an animalistic body that gives him superhuman physical traits, high-speed flight, and the ability to telepathically control birds.