Match (DC Comics)

Match
Match from Teen Titans (vol. 3) #43, art by Tony Daniel.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperboy (vol. 4) #35 (January 1997)
Created byRon Marz (writer)
Ramon Bernado (artist)
In-story information
SpeciesMetahuman clone (1997–2003)
Human/Kryptonian hybrid clone (2003–present)
Team affiliationsTitans East
The Agenda
Project Cadmus
Suicide Squad
Notable aliasesSuperboy
Superman
Kent Conner
Bizarro
Bizarro Superboy
Bizarro Boy
Abilities
  • Tactile telekinesis
  • Kryptonian physiology
    • Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, and hearing
    • Flight
    • Enhanced vision
      • X-ray vision
      • Microscopic vision
      • Telescopic vision
    • Heat vision
    • Wind breath
    • Voice manipulation

Match is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe. He is a clone of Superboy. Match appeared in the Superboy title, issues of Young Justice and the Sins of Youth and Joker's Last Laugh crossover events. Currently, he is a member of the Suicide Squad.

Fictional character biography

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The Agenda

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Cover to Superboy (vol. 4) #36 by Ramon Bernado. Match's original appearance, including his blond hairstyle, which later changed to resemble Bizarro.

Created using Superboy's DNA, Match was made to serve "the Agenda",[1] a secret organization specializing in creating clone armies. Agent Amanda Spence was able to kidnap Superboy and the Agenda used his DNA to create the clone Match. Match was given implanted memories, like Superboy, but they included a greater host of information that Superboy did not have. He also had improved durability as well as greater control over his powers.[2][3]

In the resulting battle between the two clones, Superboy managed to come out on top and the reactor holding the Agenda's compound together exploded, destroying the base. Match was left alone and ailing.[4]

Some time later, the Agenda kidnapped Superboy again and took over Project Cadmus. When the Agenda kidnapped Superboy, Match took his place in Young Justice. At this time, Project Cadmus was also infiltrated by several clones loyal to the Agenda. Eventually, Superboy freed himself and joined the fight against Match and the Agenda to free Cadmus.[5]

During Joker's Last Laugh, after being poisoned with Joker venom, Match returned to infiltrate and terrorize Young Justice disguised to look like Superboy. While Superboy was away, Match was at Young Justice headquarters with Empress, Secret, Arrowette, and Wonder Girl in the hopes of killing them in a comical manner. While the Jokerized Match was unable to keep his plans secret from the girls, they simply believed he was Superboy pretending to be a Jokerized Match to try to lighten the mood after Robin and Impulse both quit earlier that day. Match left however after accidentally making Wonder Girl confess her love for Superboy, causing Match to develop feelings for her as well.[6]

Titans East

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See also: Titans East and Deathstroke

The criminal mercenary Deathstroke begun forming Titans East, a team created explicitly to take down the Teen Titans. Though he was a powerful physical asset to the team, Match's presence was more of a psychological ploy, due to Superboy's death during the Infinite Crisis event. Deathstroke counted on Match's resemblance to Superboy, enhanced by changing his costume to match Superboy's last costume, to unbalance Robin, Superboy's best friend and the Titans' leader, and Wonder Girl, Superboy's girlfriend and one of the Titans' most powerful members.

Match's first appearance in Teen Titans #43 shows that both his mind and body have begun to degrade, making him behave more like Bizarro.[7][3] As he attempts to force his feelings on Wonder Girl, Match is unexpectedly attacked by Robin and Batgirl (who was freed from Slade's influence). His body appears less invulnerable than before, as Robin's throwing R's managed to cut into the clone's back. Wonder Girl, still furious at Match's very existence began an all out assault against the clone, only to still end up defeated along with her other teammates by Match and the other Titans East. When Nightwing, Donna Troy, Flash (Bart Allen) and Beast Boy arrive with Cyborg, Raven and Duela Dent, the unified Titans battle against the Titans East one last time. Match is defeated by Wonder Girl, after which Jericho possesses his body.[8][9]

After escaping Jericho's control, Match is killed by Superboy-Prime, who gives his body to the rogue scientist Doctor Calligan. Calligan dissects Match's body and creates three clones of Superboy who Robin and Ravager later kill using Kryptonite.[10][11][7]

Infinite Frontier

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Following Dark Nights: Death Metal, Match returns to mainstream continuity as a member of the Suicide Squad. Believing himself to be the real Superboy, he battles him before Nocturna shows them Agenda's underground lab, which contains dozens of Superboy clones.[7][12]

Powers and abilities

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Match have superpowers similar to Superboy, but with greater control.[6] He can additionally vibrate his vocal cords to speak at different frequencies.[13]

However, Match possesses genetic instability that causes him to differ from Superboy. He initially sports pale hair and eyes before his body and mind degrade, causing him to resemble Bizarro.[7][14]

Other versions

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Match appears in Tiny Titans #25.[15]

In other media

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References

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  1. ^ Superboy (vol. 4) #35 (January 1997). DC Comics.
  2. ^ Superboy (vol. 4) #36 (February 1997). DC Comics.
  3. ^ a b Hopkins, Evan (January 20, 2019). "20 Things Only True DC Fans Know About Superboy". CBR. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  5. ^ Superboy (vol. 4) #74 (May 2000). DC Comics.
  6. ^ a b Young Justice #38 (December 2001). DC Comics.
  7. ^ a b c d Stone, Sam (September 8, 2021). "Suicide Squad Reveals the Terrifying Truth About Its Superboy". CBR. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Titans (vol. 2) #6 (December 2008). DC Comics.
  9. ^ Titans (vol. 2) #7 (January 2009). DC Comics.
  10. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #99 (October 2011). DC Comics.
  11. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #100 (October 2011). DC Comics.
  12. ^ Allan, Scoot (June 18, 2022). "The 10 Best Versions of Superboy, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Suicide Squad Vol 7 #3 (July 2021)
  14. ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #42-46 (February–June 2007). DC Comics.
  15. ^ Tiny Titans #25. DC Comics.
  16. ^ "Match Voice - Young Justice (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 6, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  17. ^ "Mild Mannered Reviews – Young Justice: Targets #4". Superman Homepage. October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  18. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
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