With the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie
finally being released, I thought I’d throw together a lazy tangential tie-in post.
So, here’s a brief look at the Black Widow film’s mysterious antagonist
as they appear (or don’t appear?) in my favourite Marvel Universe: Taskmaster
in the MC2.
The mercenary with the photographic reflexes known as the Taskmaster
has been around since 1980’s Avenger’s #195 and #196 but until
relatively recently we knew very little about the character’s past, including
his real name. As such it doesn’t relate to the MC2 and so I won’t be covering
any of it here! I took a brief look at Taskmaster’s appearances to try
and pin down the most likely point at which the Main Marvel Universe Taskmaster’s
published history diverged from the MC2 published history. The best fit I found was 1998’s Hawkeye:
Earth’s Mightiest Marksman written by none other than MC2 co-creator
Tom Defalco himself. If you disagree, feel free to let me know!
Now, as for the Taskmaster as he appears in the MC2,
well, he doesn’t. Not really. But we do know what happened to him. You’d be forgiven
for missing this reference in the pages of The Buzz #2: according to Otto
Octavius aka Doctor Octopus ‘There’s been a noticeable decrease
in quality henchmen ever since the Taskmaster retired.’ This is
obviously a direct reference to the fact that Taskmaster is known for training
the henchmen of various super villains.
Getting closer to an actual physical appearance, a statue of
the Taskmaster can be glimpsed at the Avengers Compound as part
of an exhibit showing the various threats defeated by Earth’s Mightiest
Heroes, the Avengers (American Dream #1).
Beyond his retirement, we know nothing about Taskmaster
in the MC2. He’s alive and presumably at liberty if he’s retired from
his former occupation. Anyway, just a quick post this time to hopefully impart
some new information for those interested in the MC2.
Until I master every superhero’s move sets at the cost of my
own past, I remain
frogoat