Except that he was offered a potential way out - undergo experimental surgery in a government black-clinic and assist in weapons research.

The surgeries were extensive and the patient died. It was a closed-casket funeral. OJ regained consciousness as a Reaper clamped Stygian manacles on his mangled limbs. Dazed and reeling, OJ was led through the hospital corridors and out to a waiting chaingang.

As the Reaper stooped to connect a chain to the manacles, one of the enshrouded captives shapechanged - moliating to resemble a cowled monk who brandished a blazing broadsword. The name "Shroudkiller" escaped the Reaper's fleshless mouth before the blade clove him in two. As the Reaper's corpus dissolved, the interloper struck the chains from the captives before flickering away.

OJ escaped to the city of Chicago where he joined up with Jim Bob and, later, The Arc.

OJ's appearance was horrific - still bearing the marks of the surgeries that killed him. He specialised in Puppetry and Outrage - fueling his Pathos from violently negative emotions in those he encountered.

While investigating Tiamat's lair with the other members of The Arc, OJ had possessed a tourist and was leading the way down a narrow corridor when a pit opened, sending him plummetting onto sharpened spikes. OJ left the body and began the laborious task of climbing back up.