Grasshopper (character)

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The Grasshopper is the name of multiple humorous fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, all created by Dan Slott. No Grasshopper to date has survived past the issue in which they first appeared. The Grasshoppers are a simultaneous homage to and satire of stereotypical superheroes and Marvel's tendency towards animal-themed characters. They are also a lampoon of the tendency of superhero team books to introduce new, hastily developed characters only to dramatically kill them off within a few issues. The complicated romantic troubles of the first Grasshopper recall many characters with similar subplots (Spider-Man, for instance), as does the unlikely family background of the second.

Doug Taggert

Grasshopper
Publication information
Roxxon Corporation
Notable aliasesThe Ever-Gregarious Grasshopper
AbilitiesArmored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Minimal protection from attacks

Grasshopper is a

fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the GLA miniseries of 2005. The character was created by Dan Slott and Paul Pelletier. He was a member of the Great Lakes Avengers
for 5.8 seconds.

Fictional character biography

Although first appearing when he joined in a fourth wall breaking out-of-continuity prequel presented by Squirrel Girl,[1] he did not appear in continuity until the next issue.[2]

It is revealed that Grasshopper is in fact Doug Taggert, an employee of

Doorman. As team sidekick Monkey Joe comments off-panel, "Five points eight seconds. A new record for shortest membership on ANY team".[2]

Later, Doug Taggert briefly appears in a limbo-like afterlife, playing cards with the other deceased GLA members. Though not particularly cheery in demeanor, he did not seem too upset about his unfortunate fate either.[3]

Powers and abilities

The first Grasshopper's powers are derived entirely from a powered suit, metallic green in color and with an appearance reminiscent of his namesake. The suit's primary ability is that of a fantastic vertical leap, powered by long robotic grasshopper legs. These legs can also deliver devastating kicks. Its secondary abilities include "Insectroid Sensors", which work as an early warning system, and Zoom Lenses, which provide long range sight. Voice activated commands can be used to initiate some of the suit's powers. A notable fault of the suit seems to be that, despite its stiff and sturdy appearance, it offers little to no armor protection to the wearer (thus allowing a simple hand-thrown weapon to pierce the head, normally one of the most heavily defended areas on a suit of armor). It is unknown whether Taggart's suit had the "Maximum Jump" ability his successor Neil Shelton had while using the suit.

Significant Issues

  • GLA #2
  • GLA #4

Neil Shelton

Grasshopper
Publication information
Roxxon Corporation
Notable aliasesThe Ever-Gregarious Grasshopper
AbilitiesArmored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks

The second Grasshopper is a

fictional, corporate superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of GLX-Mas Special #1, a Marvel Comics one-shot, in 2005. The character was created by Dan Slott and artist Ty Templeton, who based his design on Paul Pelletier's design for the original Grasshopper.[citation needed
]

It was not made clear if he was a member of the Great Lakes X-Men (as the GLA were called at the time) before he, like Doug Taggart, was killed in action.

Publication history

This Grasshopper is a combined homage to Iron Man and Spider-Man, borrowing many aspects of each's histories. Like Taggart before him, Shelton did not live more than one issue.

Fictional character biography

Neil Shelton was a security guard for Roxxon who gained use of the Grasshopper suit some time after Doug Taggert's death. As the second Grasshopper, he used a powered armor similar to that of Iron Man. The suit's primary ability is that of a fantastic vertical leap, which is powered by robotic grasshopper legs. Its secondary abilities include Insectroid Sensors, which work as an early warning system, and Zoom Lenses, which provide long range sight. Voice activated commands can be used to initiate some of the suit's powers.

While patrolling outside of Roxxon Labs on Christmas Day, Shelton defeated

shooting star.[4]

Significant Issues

GLX-Mas Special #1

"The All-New Grasshopper"

Grasshopper
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceDeadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular #1 (September 2007)
Created byDan Slott
Kieron Dwyer
In-story information
SpeciesHuman
Notable aliasesThe All-New Grasshopper
AbilitiesArmored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks

The third Grasshopper is a

fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the one-shot Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular #1 in 2007. He was created by writer Dan Slott[5] and artist Kieron Dwyer, who based his design on Paul Pelletier's design for the original Grasshopper.[citation needed
]

Virtually no information was revealed about him other than his status as "The All-New Grasshopper" before a disgruntled Deadpool killed him by snapping his neck after being kicked out of the Great Lakes Initiative.[6] Grasshopper is later shown in Hell when Deadpool and Thanos venture there in search of the missing Death.[7]

Significant issues

Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular #1

Skrull imposter

Grasshopper
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAvengers: The Initiative #19 (December 2008)
Created byDan Slott
Christos Gage
In-story information
SpeciesSkrull
Team affiliationsGreat Lakes Initiative
AbilitiesShapeshifting
Armored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks

The fourth Grasshopper is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of Avengers: The Initiative #19 in 2008. He was created by writers Dan Slott and Christos Gage.

This Grasshopper turned out to be a Skrull impostor as part of the Secret Invasion. While Mr. Immortal was shocked to find that he was an imposter, Big Bertha thought it was ridiculously obvious.[8] After the invasion is over, the real Grasshopper is not shown in a support group meeting with the others that had been replaced by Skrulls.[9]

Significant issues

Avengers: The Initiative #19

Fifth Grasshopper

Grasshopper
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceFantastic Four Vol. 6 #43
Created byDan Slott
Rachael Stott
Andrea Di Vito
In-story information
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsGreat Lakes Avengers
AbilitiesArmored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks

The fifth Grasshopper is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of Fantastic Four Vol. 6 #43 in 2022. He was created by Dan Slott, Rachael Stott and Andrea Di Vito.

Somehow, this Grasshopper ended up joining the Great Lakes Avengers, alongside a returning Squirrel Girl who had initially left after being relied on too much,[10][11] and was defeated alongside the rest of his teammates against Cormorant. Oddly enough, unlike the previous Grasshoppers, this one actually survives his battle against the sinister alien forces, though he is still badly beaten.[12]

Significant issues

Fantastic Four Vol. 6 #43

References

  1. ^ G.L.A. #1
  2. ^ a b G.L.A. #2
  3. ^ G.L.A. #4
  4. ^ GLX-Mas Special #1
  5. ^ Dan Slott post on his messageboard regarding writing on GLI/Deadpool
  6. ^ Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular (2007)
  7. ^ Tim Seeley (w), Elmo Bondoc (p), Elmo Bondoc (i), Ruth Redmond (col), VC's Joe Sabino (let), Jordan D. White (ed). "Part Three" Deadpool vs. Thanos, vol. 1, no. 3 (14 October 2015). United States: Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #19
  9. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #20
  10. ^ I Am An Avenger #1
  11. ^ Age of Heroes #3
  12. ^ Fantastic Four Vol. 6 #43

External links