Matthew Risman
Matthew Risman is the leader of the Purifiers, an extremist cult which seeks the eradication of all mutants. He is the successor of the late William Stryker, who founded the Purifiers.
- Gadgets
- Leadership
- Marksmanship
Origin
Matthew Risman was discovered by William Stryker who was able to witness events before they happen using Sentinel technology from the future. While on a mission as an elite sniper, Matthew was contacted and told to return home as a disaster was about to occur. Risman abandoned his target and arrived home in time to rescue his wife and daughter from a landslide that destroyed their house. Out of nowhere, Stryker suddenly appeared and explained how he was able to alert Matthew of the danger to his family.
Matthew Risman was persuaded to join Stryker's cause; a holy war against mutants. With knowledge gained from Nimrod, the Sentinel from the future, the Purifiers began their assault against the mutant population. Risman himself was able to murder Wallflower of the New X-Men, and the Purifiers massacred many others. After Sryker was killed by Elixir, Matthew assumed leadership of the Purifiers and vowed to finish the work Stryker started. Calling Stryker a martyr, Risman rallied the purifiers to their cause.
Matthew Risman and his group have found themselves in a race to find the first mutant born since M-Day before either the X-Men can, or the Marauders under Mr. Sinister's command. If successful, the Purifiers will kill the child. The Child was saved by Cable and taken into the future.