Doctor Maris Morlak was once a brilliant scientist who joined other scientists of similar skill levels and goals in forming the Enclave, an organization dedicated to the creation of life itself in hopes of creating a better Earth. Morlak shares the early history of the group, including the creation of Him and Her and the resurrection of the mutant Jean Grey, who had been placed in a cocoon by the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix Force. Crucible is an armored form assumed by Morlak as part of a plot to steal Reed Richard's inventive genius and use it to kick start the Wladyslav Shinski's genetics program. After forcing the Monks of Doom to build him a suit of armor similar to that worn by Doctor Doom, Crucible slew most of the Monks and enslaved the rest. Wearing the armor, Morlak successfully stole Reed's skills, and then he and Shinski relocated to Genosha. They took control of their creation Kismet, renaming her Ayesha. They also began experimenting on Genoshans in an effort to create their master race. However, when Reed Richards confronted Crucible, it soon became clear that Morlak was going insane. His mind was unable to handle the continual influx of ideas from Reed's genius. Shinski then slew Morlak and replaced him as Crucible. Soon after, both Shinski and Ayesha were consumed by a Black Hole Grenade.