Johnny Gallo is a mutant with enhanced agility and the ability to sense danger before it happens. He attempts to keep this secret from his widowed father and his girlfriend, Kathy. Black Marvel later discovered his powers, gave him the Ricochet costume, and offered him a place on the Slingers. He accepted, happy at a chance to help people without revealing his mutant powers.

During fights, he likes to make wise-cracks, much to the annoyance of his team (especially his team leader, Prodigy.) He became friends with the Hornet, who gave him throwing disks ( ones that ricochet off objects, boomerang ones that come back to him and ones with explosives in them) , and Dusk had a crush on him, which he didn’t return. He also fought Spider-Man with his powers.

When Black Marvel was captured by Mephisto, Johnny suggested leaving him, but was convinced by his Hornet to save him. The Slinger disbanded shortly afterwards. He joined Excelsior alongside Julie Power, Chamber, Phil Urich, Turbo and Darkhawk and tried to dissuade teens from becoming super heroes, saying that it hasn’t helped him at all (he blames himself for Hornet’s death.) He retained his powers after M-Day. He is currently a group called the Loners which tries to help young superheroes who want to stop being superheroes.