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 slated to be a member of the Titans East, who are set to debut in Teen Titans #42.
| Match | |
|---|---|
| File:Match.gif Promotional artwork by Tony Daniel. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Superboy #35 |
| Created by | Ron Marz Ramon Bernado |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Match |
| Team affiliations | Titans East, The Agenda, Project Cadmus |
| Abilities | Tactile telekinesis. |
Character History
The Agenda
The Agenda is a secret operation, organized to create a clone army, using Superboy's DNA. 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 whole host of information that Superboy did not have. He also had improved strength and durability as well as greater control over his powers, according to his creators at the Agenda.
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.
Titans East
The criminal mercenary Deathstroke has begun forming Titans East, a team created explicitly to take down the Teen Titans. Though he is a powerful physical asset to the team, Match's presence is more of a psychological ploy, due to Superboy's death during the Infinite Crisis event. Deathstroke is counting 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 the Titans' most powerful member.
Appearance
Originally, Match's physical appearance was practically identical to Superboy's, save for white hair and pale eyes (in comparison to Superboy's black hair and blue eyes) and a "brand" of the Agenda's logo on the left side of his chest. This logo was also on his original costume, two intertwined double helixes (most likely to represent DNA) that form a shape akin to three circles. Match's look is currently very similar to a Bizarro clone of Superboy. Like Superboy after his redesign, Match has jeans and black t-shirt. However, the shirt has several tears or holes and the "S" shield is reversed, like Bizarro's. He also has an apparent skin calcification, once again similar to that exhibited by Bizarro.
Powers and abilities
Match has exhibited powers similar to Superboy, but supposedly had greater control. These powers include tactile telekinesis which can mimic Superman's powers of flight and super-strength, but can also be used to disassemble machinery. Although Superboy eventually began to develop real Krytonian powers from exposure to Earth's yellow sun, it is unclear if Match has developed such powers as well.