Match (Marvel Comics)
| Match | |
|---|---|
|
Match by Skottie Young | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | New Mutants, vol. 2 #5 |
| Created by |
Nunzio DeFilippis Christina Weir |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Benjamin "Ben" Hamill |
| Species | Human Mutant |
| Team affiliations |
Paragons training squad Xavier Institute X-Men-In-Training Jean Grey School Students |
| Abilities |
Pyric Form (Body constantly glowing, head constantly aflame), Fire manipulation, Immunity to extreme heat |
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Match (Ben Hamill) is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. A mutant, Hamill attended the Xavier Institute before its closing. While at the Institute, Hamill was the field leader of the Paragons training squad.
Fictional character biography
Paragons Squad
Ben Hamill is a mutant teenager who attends the Xavier Institute. After enrolling at the Institute, Hamill was assigned to the Paragons training squad under the tutelage of Rahne Sinclair. When it was revealed that Sinclair had been in a romantic relationship with a student, Josh Foley, she abruptly departed from the school, leaving the Paragons without an advisor. Ultimately, former New Mutant, Magma stepped in to become the Paragons' mentor. Though hot-tempered (even voted "Shortest Temper"[1]), Hamill is a natural leader, and consequently, was named as the field leader for his squad, and is still viewed as such by his former teammates after the dissolution of the squad system.
Post M-Day
Following the events of House of M, only 27 of the school's students retained their powers. All squads were dissolved, and the remaining students were merged into one group. Ben and his fellow former Paragons Trance, Wolf Cub, and Pixie were revealed to be among the handful of still-powered Xavier students.[2]
Quest for Magik
Match, along with several of his fellow students, is sucked down into the realm of Limbo. When attacked by demons, he quickly joins the fight, killing several demons while trying to protect Pixie and Blindfold. [3] Ben participates in the final fight against Belasco and is returned to the school after Belasco is defeated.
Utopia
Ben relocates to San Francisco along with the other X-Men.[4] He reappears putting out fires started by rioting over Proposition X, an anti-mutant reproductive legislation being pushed by the anti-mutant organization "Humanity Now!"[5] After the riots subside, the Dark X-Men along with Norman Osborn declare a city-wide curfew for all citizens prohibiting public activity after dark. In Avalanche's bar, Match, along with fellow student Hellion and other mutants angrily decide to cause a scene after curfew hours for all the world to see as a warning against the "fascism" of the Dark X-Men. As Match spreads fire throughout Union Square, the Dark X-Men come to arrest the troublemaking mutants.[6] After a battle, they are taken into custody by the Dark X-Men.[7] Eventually Match and the other imprisoned mutants are freed by the X-Force and teleported to the island of Utopia.[8]
Powers and abilities
Ben's abilities are pyrokinesis, enabling him to produce and manipulate flame. In addition, he is seemingly immune to fire and high temperatures. As a side effect of his powers, Ben's head remains constantly aflame, though it appears that he can control the extent of the flaming; during a Danger Room session, he is able to maintain some level of stealth by lowering the intensity of his head flame. Ben's body is always glowing, and emits heat, however it is not hot enough to burn his clothing. The flame on his head is also not as hot as normal fire, and as such, it does not burn what it touches. This was confirmed by his creators, Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir.