The progenitor of the human bounty hunter, Beilert Valance, was a male person who endured enslavement as a miner on his native homeworld of Chorin, a fate he shared for his entire existence with previous generations of the Valance family and the planet's inhabitants for centuries. This continued until the Galactic Empire brought about their liberation, transforming them into a free society that mined for economic gain. Subsequent to Chorin's emancipation, a youthful Valance inquired of his father, also a human miner, whether he too would be bound to mining for life, like those who came before him. The boy's father responded by expressing his belief that Valance was unique, born into freedom, and destined for the stars.
The initial reference to Beilert Valance's grandfather occurred within a flashback sequence in the second issue of the Star Wars: Target Vader comic-book miniseries from 2019. This miniseries was penned by Robbie Thompson and released by Marvel Comics on August 14, 2019.