History
Michael Badilino was one of the many Igniter Spirits who were forced by Arcade and Chief Zadkiel to race in the Killiseum's Ghost Races for the entertainment of its audience. Like the other Spirits of Ignition, Vegeance raced to get the first place prize, which was temporary freedom from the arena, otherwise, he would be sent to its dungeons to be tortured along with the other losers.
The night Arcade planned to kill Robbie Reyes - the most recent Igniter Spirit to enter the Ghost Races and winner of every race in that season - something unexpected happened: Robbie's Spirit of Ignition broke free of Zadkiel's control and managed to escape the arena with his host through a portal. Zadkiel wasn't able to detect Reyes' presence, so, under Arcade's command, he sent Vegeance and the other Ghost Racers to hunt him down.[1]
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Michael's human form
Although Robbie avoided the Thors, the Spirits of Ignition found him and they battled through the streets of Doomstadt. By repelling one of Alejandra Jones' attacks, Robbie destroyed Slade's blindfold, accidentally unleashing his dormant powers, but also breaking the link between him and Zadkiel. Slade then freed the others by shutting their powers down. However, as Robbie was the only one who Zadkiel couldn't control, the other racers let him get away and stayed behind. They were all returned to the Killiseum and punished for their treachery.[2]
Arcade forced Robbie to return to the Killiseum by putting his brother, Gabe, in his place in the Ghost Races. However, Robbie managed to rescue his brother and free the other Ghost Racers from Zadkiel's control. With their help, Robbie defeated both Zadkiel, whom had his soul devoured by Eli, and Arcade, who had his eyes stabbed by Alejandra and was later run over by all the Ghost Racers. Free, Vengeance joined his fellow Ghost Racers to become one of the Spirits of Vengeance, vowing to punish the wicked and corrupt with their power.[3]