The character, created by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, first appeared in New Mutants Vol. 2 #7. DeFilippis revealed that while he and Weir created the character, he was based on a background mutant from New X-Men: Academy X, #7. "We saw a cool bit of artwork in the background of a panel and thought for a few seconds about a name, codename, and power set."
While spending time in his home town park, Ben Hamill suddenly manifested his mutant powers. Unable to control his powers, Ben set flame to the town's park.
Xavier Institute
After the manifestation of his powers, Ben was enrolled in the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. While at the school, he chose the codename Match, where he was present at Xavier's special assembly head by the headmaster Charles Xavier to inform the student body of an explosion that happened the night before caused by Magma who'd been awoken from a coma by Josh and Julian's involvement. Xavier preached about heroism being more than being brave. Match would later attend Parent's Week at Xavier's, although it is unknown if his parents for the week he seem to enjoy himself during the festive time. While in class with Karma, he was asked along with his classmates if they'd seen Josh, who was unknowingly out on a date with Rahne Sinclair.
Paragon Squad
After enrolling at the Institute, Hamill was assigned to the Paragons training squad under the tutelage of Rahne Sinclair. Though hot-tempered, Hamill is a natural leader, and consequently, was named as the field leader for his squad. As a part of the field squads games, the Paragons participated in a Danger Room session where they had to fight a Hulk construct. After the exercise, the New Mutants squad tried the same simulation and beat the record set by the Paragons excerise. During a team meeting with Rahne, Ben and his teammates expressed their dismay at the New Mutants squad having had beat their time. Rahne then gave them a much needed a pep talk, trying to remind them that they would have save a lot of lives if the session had been real. Soon after, Cyclops and Emma Frost revealed that Sinclair had been in a romantic relationship with a student, Josh Foley, who was abruptly departed from the school, leaving the Paragons without an advisor. Ultimately, former New Mutant, Magma stepped in to become the Paragons' mentor.
Post M-Day
Ben is still viewed as such by his former teammates after the dissolution of the squad system. 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.
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. Ben participates in the final fight against Belasco and is returned to the school after Belasco is defeated.
Ben relocates to San Francisco along with the other X-Men. 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!" After the riots subside, the Dark X-Men along with Norman Osborn declare a citywide 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. After a battle, they are taken into custody by the Dark X-Men. Eventually, Match and the other imprisoned mutants are freed by the X-Force and teleported to the island of Utopia.
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.
In other media
Match briefly appears in Dark Phoenix portrayed by Lamar Johnson. The character's appearance was so minor and unnoticed that his creators were caught off guard when they earned sudden payment for the character's use. DeFilippis stated "Totally grateful and excited...but...Match? Really?"
