Frankie is a young boy that looks to live on the streets of Depression Era New York. He and Ben Reilly have a familiarity that seems to borderline friendship. A wisecracker, a pickpocket, and a clever young man that has potential.
Frankie proves himself more than a street kid with quick hands, stepping into the role of Ben Reilly's young accomplice. When Ben needs to be in two places at once, Frankie dresses up to play him, casting a convincing silhouette behind the office window so that Silvermane's men watching outside believe the detective is home while the real Ben slips away as the Spider.
His usefulness does not end there. He helps Ben shake the tail following him through the streets, and he keeps his eyes on Cat Hardy, bringing word to Ben that she has taken a cab to Pennsylvania Station only minutes before. For a boy first seen practicing his pickpocketing, he has become a genuine asset to the detective's work.
Frankie continues to serve as Ben Reilly's young runner and eyes on the street. When a call comes into the office from Cat Hardy, Janet hands the message off to the boy and sends him to find Ben.
He tracks the detective down and delivers word that Cat wants to meet, plus a few extra pieces of advice for the exhausted Ben. A small but steady fixture in Ben's chaotic life.
The loyal newsboy turns up at Ben's office as the search tightens and steers Janet toward Robbie's place, all while learning his geometricals. He seems to be a permanent fixture in Ben's little circle.
