Morris Bench was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, where he began working as a crewman on a cargo ship. While working, he was accidentally knocked overboard by Spider-Man while a powerful experimental generator was being lowered into the ocean for testing. Exposed to the energy conversion process of the generator while being bombarded with volcanic gases, Bench's cellular structure was altered. When he was rescued from the depths, his body began exuding great quantities of a watery substance, which Bench first thought was perspiration. Annoyed by the incessant dripping, Bench went to a local pub to stir up trouble. Finding none, he was astonished to learn that he could convert his entire physical form into a watery liquid.
Soon after discovering his powers, Bench became Hydro-Man and set out to find those he held responsible for his condition to make them pay.
