When young Ben Hammil's genetic mutation manifested, he inadvertently burned down his town's park. A former member of the Xavier Institute's Paragons training squad, Hammil is an impulsive and short-tempered boy who has continued to clash with fellow students and instructors since enrolling at the Institute. Hammil, whose head appears to be constantly engulfed in flames, gives credence to the popular but to date unconfirmed theories of Doctor Lucius Kleinstein, who supposes a correlation between an individual's personality traits and the nature of their genetic mutation. Hammil, a typical alpha male who abhors indecision and hesitation, served as the Paragons' leader. He is one of the 198 mutants who have retained their abilities.All squads were dissolved, and the remaining students were merged into one group. In X-Men: The 198 Files, Hammil and his fellow former Paragons Trance, Wolf Cub, and Pixie were revealed to be among the handful of still-powered Xavier students.