In everyday life Scott is a scientist working in genetics. When duty calls, he becomes Matchman, VALentine Complex’s principal field hero. Flight, strength, resilience and his MatchSpider Radar serve a vocation for reconciliation. His assignments range from introducing lonely New Yorkers to stopping a war in Kaboumistan.

“A Cup of Coffee” traces that vocation to a childhood spent feeling helpless during his parents’ quarrels. He wanted to be strong like his father and restore peace at home. In Scott’s extraordinary account, drinking a concoction made from old, mouldy coffee grounds brought his powers into being.

The confident rescuer can be an awkward date. His honest explanation of his superhero life meets disbelief, and his companion walks out. In “Origin and Tonic,” the teasing between Scott and Z-Girl reveals affection beneath their jokes. His attraction to Discordia continually collides with his duty to stop her.

The later comics test the person beneath the costume. In Iraq he helps a family caught in war. The Stealth Saucer confrontation costs him his powers, yet he continues rescuing friends. His adventures in Paris depend on ingenuity and trust as much as physical invulnerability.

The animated teleplays retain his talkative confidence. In “Aileen Alien,” he proposes joining forces with Discordia and his enemy brother to release the people trapped inside the alien. Their cooperation succeeds, although it does not end their rivalry.