Arnold Pruett is a mercenary with a highly technological power-suit, who has worked for the criminal organization The 1000 of Metropolis. In his first appearance he came into conflict with the Blue Devil after stealing kryptonite from S.T.A.R. Labs in Metropolis and after destroying the building Blue Devil lived in. Shockwave swore vengeance on Blue Devil for foiling his robbery and has harbored animosity to Blue Devil from that point on.
Since then, Shockwave has run afoul of the likes of Booster Gold, Superman and the Teen Titans. Pruett also has two children that he loves and ironically wants to protect them from all things evil.