His powers first showed in his early teens he began to experiment with his powers learning how they worked. At an early age his Grandfather began teaching him self defense and how to shield his mind. When Rick first manifested his powers he went to his grandfather to help him sort through the identity crisis. Thomas agreed and also agreed to keep what was happening a secret.

Over the next several years Thomas helped his grandson to develop his powers, and taught him and continued in his self defense, and mental training. One question that has been on Richard's mind is how old his grandfather is. When questioned he will say 'How old do I look?' However Rich has some suspicions that his grandfather is older than he appears and my have some kind of genetic longevity. After several years Rich has also discovered his grandfather, in addition to serving in WW2, and Korea, used to be a costumed vigilante in 'the old days' though his Grandpa is reluctant to revel anything further Rich has become more committed to fighting for justice and right   Even now Thomas is Rick's silent crime fighting aid when he is fighting evil doers and his trainer, mentor and leader. As Rick has had very little contact with his biological father, his grandfather has taken on the role of a fatherly figure. His official HQ is his grandfather's warehouse which lies on the outskirts of Cleveland on land his grandfather has bought up. His grandfather has stocked the warehouse with a variety of crimefighting devices, that he has kept up to date since his own crimefighting career.

One of the few things that his grandfather did was allowed Rich to use one of his old costumes, when he realized that Rich had his heart set on becoming a crimefighter. Tower raided his grandfather's warehouse destroying everything in her quest to find the way to reach Mike the Elder. As a result, Rich's grandfather gave him the invitation he had received to join the LEGION. Rich's grandfather was hospitalized as a result of the fire in the warehouse (NOTE: This is detailed under Recruitment & Reunion) Rich's grandfather recovered nicely, and Daytime joined the group known as the Cleveland LEGION. Daytime soon found himself developing a relationship with fellow team member, Lana. She disappeared during a mission, leading Daytime on a grand hunt to find her. Daytime eventually reunited with Lana, finding her in the employ of the Suicide Squad again. Lana was eventually killed, which led to him going berzerk. Sentenced to prison, he found himself working for the US Government as part of the Freedom Force.