Combustion Man

History


The Combustion Man (so named by Sokka in "The Runaway", though previously referred to comically as "Sparky Sparky Boom Man") is a silent Fire Nation assassin with a unique Firebending talent to super-heat the air or the surrounding environment triggering huge explosions at will.

He discovered this ability when he was a young child, but initially could not control it, which lead to him accidentally blowing off his right arm and leg. He has since replaced these with metal prosthetics. According to the creators, Combustion Man got his reputation in a series of very quick Agni Kais

Huge in stature, cunning in mind, silent to the point of mute, and driven to complete his assignments at all costs the Combustion Man is a formidable opponent with a reputation for being "good at what [he] does" and "even better at keeping secrets".

For this reason, the Combustion Man was hired by Zuko to kill Aang and eliminates or intercepts any evidence that could compromise his secrecy. When Aang is spotted by two Fire Nation soldiers, the Combustion mans Ravenhawk intercepts their Messenger Hawk to Fire Lord and he destroys the message. That night he stealthily approaches Aang and his friends campsite, but his metallic footsteps where detected by Toph. Eschewing stealth the Combustion Man attacks, projecting rays of energy from his forehead tattoo. His bolts counter anything the group throws at him, forcing them take cover. Aang tells his friends to flee while he himself tries to lead the enemy away. Following a running battle, in which Aang uses both Airbending and Earthbending to fend off Combustion Man's attacks to no effect, Aang eventually retreats onto Appa and the group fly away.



In "The Runaway," Combustion Man operates more subtly setting up a trap via a wanted poster and captures Katara and Toph, locking them in a wooden cell deprived of both earth and water to bend. The two are nothing more than bait to lure in Aang, which proves successful. After Katara uses her sweat to Waterbend and escape, they help Aang and Sokka, who had only avoided the ambush by Aang detecting the assassin's presence by listening to his inhaling. Toph accidentally hits Combustion Man's tattoo with a stone, which knocks him back. He gets up and attempts to shoot another explosion in the group's direction, only to find his chi blocked. The air around him detonates and the group escapes.

In "The Western Air Temple" he followed the group to the temple. Zuko, also there, is threatening to renege on his promise of payment, and when this fails he offers double to break off the attack, which also fails. Zuko's antics prove to be a useful distraction for the group who use the time to take cover. When Combustion Man resorts to blowing up pylons supporting the temple, Sokka takes aim and throws his trademark boomerang which again hits Combustion Man square on the forehead, blocking his chi. A repetition of the events of "The Runaway" take place, and appears to be fatal. The metal arm is seen among the debris. His current fate is unknown, it is likely that he is deceased.

Powers and Abilities
The Combustion Man's abilities reflect his namesake, and he is able to trigger explosive detonations through his unique style of firebending. He does this by channeling chi energy from his stomach then focusing and firing it from a third eye tattooed on his forehead. This energy created thin transparent energy bolts which detonates the surrounding area on contact. This ability is mentally driven, requiring only inhalation and focus on his part (making his fighting style much less dynamic than standard firebending) and can be used at great ranges with considerable accuracy. A single energy bolt is very powerful and can disintegrate large boulders or evaporate entire bodies of water with ease. The true degree of his power and skill is considerable and in almost all encounters he overpowered everything Aangs group attacked him with.

In addition to his unique talents he possesses considerable physical strength, easily overpowered Zuko with only one hand even when looking the other way, and his metal prosthetics make dangerous weapons. Despite his huge frame and two metal limbs he is surprisingly agile using his clawed metal hand and foot as a grapple or break the force of a fall.

Trivia
In a way, hiring Combustion Man is Zuko's last act as an enemy of the Avatar. When he goes to join the gang, one of his first acts of redemption to them is helping to defeat him.