In May 2025, I graduated from college with a Bachelor’s in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. My graduation came in the midst of the most intense Lyme-related flare-ups I’d ever had — and none of my medication worked. I assumed that I’d just fail my senior year of college since my constant pain hindered me from even starting most of my work. Believe it or not, the only reason that I was able to succeed is that I read Marvel comics.
What could be so inspiring about Marvel comics? The answer is simple: St. John Allerdyce, aka Pyro. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Pyro is an award-winning romance novelist who forged a name for himself in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as a terrorist. Later, he worked for the government as a member of Freedom Force, but succumbed to the Legacy Virus later on. He was revived on Krakoa and became a member of the Marauders, transforming into a hero who saved mutants worldwide. He then recently became a member of X-Factor, the spiritual successor to Freedom Force. He’s an Aussie, he’s into making money, but above all else, he’s a total adrenaline junkie.
Not only is Pyro canonically an English major, but he also coped with illness.
Unlike my own illness, his illness was terminal, but he was constantly unable to function fully, and he experienced agonizing flare-ups. (He was literally on fire!) Pyro also tended to waver between wanting to live and longing to die. In Daredevil #355, he said, “I’m a dead man… Dead from the Legacy Virus…” Then, in Uncanny X-Men #351, he confessed to robbing a bank because he discovered a scientist who could remove his mutant gene and save his life.
I found Pyro’s illness storyline incredibly moving, especially as I often found myself struggling to perform basic tasks.
Nothing seemed to be working, and I kept telling myself that I’d never improve. I convinced myself that I’d remain incurable and suffer until I died. Then, my feelings would shift, and I’d tell myself that with the right medication, I could find a cure for my illness.
I found myself unable to complete most tasks. Doing things I loved or simple tasks like showering felt impossible. My condition went unnoticed for so long that the infection migrated to my brain and caused brain fog from slight swelling. My brain felt as though it was pressed against my skull, and my joints ached constantly. The only thing that could get me to do my work was Pyro.
If Pyro could fight Daredevil while dying, then I could write an essay.
I also relate to Pyro because he was written as a queer-coded character. The Legacy Virus is similar to HIV/AIDS, and Pyro shares a close connection to other male characters, like Avalanche, so Pyro’s queerness is speculative but highly probable. In February 2025, Pyro’s most recent writer, Mark Russell, said that while he didn’t think much about the character’s sexuality, Pyro possibly being pansexual “makes a lot of sense.” I’m also pansexual, so Pyro’s pansexual-coded interactions resonate strongly with me.
Sometimes I feel as though Pyro’s character was specifically written for me.
After all, Pyro is ill, pansexual, and a writer, which means everything to me as I navigate similar identities. Pyro may seem “annoying” to some Marvel fans, but I think he’s actually incredibly charming. (It’s also nice to know that Marvel has more pansexual characters than just Deadpool.)
I love Pyro so much that I’ve collected his comics, trading cards, and figurines, and I’ve even cosplayed as him. It’s safe to say that I just might be Pyro’s biggest fan.
Featured Photo via Google Creative Commons.
