Sparky-Sparky-Boom Man

History


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

He does this by focusing and shooting his chi energy from his tattooed third eye, this then detonates on contact. This ability is mentally driven, requiring only inhalation and focus on his part (making his attacks substantially less dynamic) and can be used at greater ranges than standard firebending. It is extremely accurate and can disintegrate even very large boulders or evaporate entire bodies of water. The Combustion Man 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 assassins 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, but this time may prove fatal. The metal arm is seen among the debris.