Taskmaster (character)
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Taskmaster | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | The Avengers #195 (May 1980) |
Created by | |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Anthony "Tony" Masters |
Species | Human mutate |
Team affiliations |
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Notable aliases |
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Abilities |
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Taskmaster (Anthony "Tony" Masters)
The character has been adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including several animated television series and video games. A female version of Taskmaster named
Publication history
The Taskmaster first appeared briefly in The Avengers #195 (May 1980), created by writer David Michelinie and artist George Pérez.[4] making his full debut in Avengers #196 (June 1980).[5]
The Taskmaster appeared in his own limited series Taskmaster #1–4 (2002), which was followed by a supporting role in Agent X #1–15 (2002–2003). The character went on to feature prominently in Avengers: The Initiative as a supporting character in #8–19 (2008–2009) and Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 (2008) then later as a central character in #20–35 (2009–2010) during the Dark Reign and Siege storylines. Age of Heroes #3 (2010) provided the prologue for the Taskmaster's second limited series Taskmaster vol. 2 #1–4 (2010–2011). In 2011 Taskmaster got his first solo graphic novel collecting a four-issue story—Taskmaster: Unthinkable.
As part of Marvel's 2012–2015 rebranding,
Fictional character biography
This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. |
Taskmaster is a mysterious figure believed to have been born in the
Tony Masters first demonstrated unusual abilities during childhood. After watching a cowboy show on television, he found himself able to duplicate sophisticated rope tricks, and later became a star high school quarterback after watching one NFL game. Psychiatrists explained Tony's abilities to be a form of
He then began a program of observing the fighting techniques of numerous costumed heroes and villains (using archival television news broadcasts). He initially used his skills to execute several grand larcenies, but he had not properly anticipated the dangers involved. He decided to use his stolen capital to establish centers to turn aspiring criminals into polished professionals. His goal was to become a supplier for criminal organizations around the world.
Designing a costume with a white cowl and skull mask, he took the name "Taskmaster" and began to train many thugs at criminal academies he had located around the United States. His existence was eventually revealed when Pernell Solomon of the Solomon Institute for the Criminally Insane (a front for one of these academies) used the school's resources to create a clone of himself when the administrator required an organ donation, as he possessed an extremely rare blood type. Learning of his intended death, the clone managed to contact the
Deciding to further explore the use of a circus as a front for his academy, Taskmaster took over yet another small outfit, and used it for many months to great success. However, while it was playing a small town in Ohio, the
Taskmaster's more skilled, successful, and notable students include such characters as
On another occasion, Taskmaster was hired by the
Taskmaster continued to train numerous villains and thugs until the Avengers began to search out and shut down some of his academies across the United States. Taskmaster began to spend more time working as a mercenary to make up for the loss of profit. This led him to join
Taskmaster also worked at training henchmen to copy fighting styles of specific heroes. Taskmaster unleashed
When the "
Taskmaster replaces
Taskmaster is hired by Deadpool to help his old enemy and occasional friend defeat the Thunderbolts. Being disguised as Deadpool, he gets captured and is about to be beheaded when the real Deadpool saves him. Deadpool finally pays him, but he expresses annoyance at being paid from an ATM due to his major villain status.[20]
During the "
A false rumor is spread that Taskmaster is leaking information about the criminal underworld to Rogers's new 'heroic' regime. A bounty of $1,000,000,000 is placed on the Taskmaster's head by the mysterious Org. The hordes of AIM, HYDRA, the
Avengers Academy student Finesse later seeks out Taskmaster, thinking that he may be her long-lost father. When she finds Taskmaster, Finesse ends up sparring with him. After much sparring, Taskmaster finally relents to tell Finesse that he very well might be and most likely is her father, but that the powers to learn so much about others’ movements and techniques have caused him to forget important things in life. Knowing he likely will not remember the conversation in a couple days, Taskmaster tells Finesse that he wanted to fight her so he might remember her.[33]
During the 2011 "
In order for the
The criminals of Bagalia imprison Taskmaster and are preparing to offer him up to the highest bidder. S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Secret Avengers come to rescue him and offer him a position. As their inside man, Taskmaster is part of the new High Council of
At the time when Captain America was brainwashed into being a Hydra sleeper agent by Red Skull's clone using the powers of
When Taskmaster and Black Ant (Eric O'Grady's Life Model Decoy counterpart) found out what was done to Captain America to be made into a Hydra sleeper agent, they planned to have a parley with Maria Hill to discuss this with only for the new Madame Hydra (Elisa Sinclair) to get to them first.[43] Impressed with the fighting skills of the two of them, Madame Hydra made them bodyguards.[44]
During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Taskmaster appears as a member of Hydra's Avengers.[45] During the battle in Washington DC, Taskmaster and Black Ant witness their teammate Odinson having enough of working for Hydra and striking them down. The two of them defect from Hydra and free the captive Champions. When Taskmaster and Black Ant asks for them to put in a good word for them, Spider-Man webs them up anyway.[46]
Taskmaster and Black Ant later attack Empire State University where
In a prelude to "Hunted", Taskmaster and Black Ant work with Kraven the Hunter and Arcade in capturing some animal-themed characters for his upcoming hunt. After Spider-Man thwarted the hunt, Taskmaster and Black Ant got away.[48]
During the "King in Black" storyline, Taskmaster is among the villains recruited by Mayor Wilson Fisk to lead his Thunderbolts at the time of Knull's invasion.[49]
At the conclusion of "The Chameleon Conspiracy" arc,
During the "
During the "Devil's Reign" storyline, Taskmaster appears as a member of Mayor Wilson Fisk's latest incarnation of the Thunderbolts at the time when Mayor Fisk passed a law that forbids superhero activity.[52]
During the "Carnage Reigns" storyline, Taskmaster joins Agent Gao's Cape-Killers.[53]
Taskmaster was at the Bar with No Name when Spider-Woman arrived. They went outside to fight as Spider-Woman gets the information on some of the thugs he recently trained.[54]
As Captain America is transporting a specific cargo, his futuristic helicopter gets
During the "
Powers and abilities
Taskmaster injected himself with
By viewing a video in fast-forward, Taskmaster can learn to replicate human movement at near-superhuman speed. However, this puts his body under intense strain and can only be used for short periods of time. He can manipulate his vocal cords to mimic others' voices. The Taskmaster is skilled in meditation techniques that allow him to slow his breathing and heart rate, allowing him to play dead or and survive for extended periods of time without air. He claims to have learned forensic methods from CIA agents and Mossad operatives.[volume & issue needed] Taskmaster can use chi under exceptional circumstances.[63] Taskmaster was once shown to have aquaphobia (the fear of water), but later overcame his fears.[64]
Weaponry
Taskmaster carries many weapons. He most commonly uses a sword and a replica of Captain America's shield, but also carries a bow and a quiver of arrows, a billy club, a lasso, nunchaku, throwing darts, and various firearms. Taskmaster once used a stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. device that was able to create various forms of weaponry (such as arrows and shields) using solid energy.[65]
Other versions
Age of Ultron
In the Age of Ultron story, the Taskmaster is depicted as working with the Black Panther and Red Hulk in Chicago attempting to capture Ultron Sentinel technology. Successful in doing so, Red Hulk holds off the Ultron minions to allow Taskmaster and Black Panther to escape.[66] When Taskmaster tries to run away with one of the Ultron Sentinels, Red Hulk tells him he doesn't trust him, and then kills him.[67]
Avataars: Covenant of the Shield
An alternate version of the Taskmaster appears in Avataars: Covenant of the Shield #1 (2000) where the Marvel Universe is re-imagined in a fantasy setting. In this reality, the Taskmaster is an assassin known as the Deathmaster.[68]
Deadpool Max
A female version of Taskmaster appeared in the
House of M
In the House of M reality, the Taskmaster appeared as a member of the strike force known as the Brotherhood. Although not a mutant, he used his abilities to pass as one, since humans (even super-powered humans) were treated as second-class citizens.[70] However, after he was beaten by Luke Cage for the murder of Tigra, he was found to be a human masquerading as a mutant.[71]
JLA/Avengers
In
Marvel Apes
A primate version of the Taskmaster appears in the Marvel Apes titles Marvel Apes: Evolution Starts Here #1 (2009), Marvel: Apes: Speedball Special #1 (2009) and Marvel Apes: Grunt Line Special #1 (2009).[73][74][75]
Marvel Universe Millennial Visions 2001
In the Marvel Universe Millennial Visions 2001 (2002) storyline Thunderbolts: Give a Guy a Break, Hawkeye takes it upon himself to force supervillains to seek redemption. The Taskmaster is among the supervillains hypnotized by the Ringmaster and forced to become a member of the Thunderbolts.[76]
Marvel Universe vs. the Punisher
In Marvel Universe vs. the Punisher #4 (September 2010), where the Marvel Universe is infected by a cannibal plague, the Taskmaster is killed when the Red Hulk tears his head off.[77]
Marvel vs. Capcom
The Taskmaster appears in
Ultraverse
The Taskmaster appears in the Malibu Comics (also known as the Ultraverse) series Siren (1995), Siren #1–3 (1995) and Siren Special #1 (1996) as a supporting character.[79][80]
Ultimate Marvel
The
What If
In a What If? storyline What if... Steve Rogers had refused to give up being Captain America? (vol. 2) #3 (1989), the Taskmaster trained the Super-Patriot and the Buckies to replace Captain America.[83]
In other media
Television
- Taskmaster appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced primarily by Clancy Brown,[84][85] and briefly by Stan Lee.[86] This version is a founding member of the Thunderbolts, alongside Norman Osborn.
- Taskmaster appears in Avengers Assemble, voiced again by Clancy Brown.[84]
Film
- Taskmaster makes a cameo appearance in Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher as a member of Leviathan.[87]
- Taskmaster appears in Iron Man and Captain America: Heroes United, voiced again by Clancy Brown.[84] This version intends to take over Hydra and upgrade himself with Iron Man's technology.
- A female incarnation of Taskmaster named Red Room before Natasha Romanoff undoes her brainwashing.[88]
- Kurylenko will reprise her role as Antonia Dreykov in the upcoming MCU film Thunderbolts (2025).[89]
Video games
- Taskmaster appears as a playable character in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, voiced by Steve Blum.[90] In his single-player ending, he profits off of exercise videos and self-merchandising after defeating Galactus.
- Taskmaster appears as a playable character in Marvel Heroes, voiced again by Steve Blum.[90][84]
- Taskmaster appears as the final boss of Captain America's storyline in Avengers Initiative, voiced again by Steve Blum.[91]
- Taskmaster appears as a Marvel: Avengers Alliance.[92]
- Taskmaster appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced again by Steve Blum.[90]
- Taskmaster appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics.[93]
- Taskmaster appears as a boss in Captain America: The Winter Soldier - The Official Game, voiced by Roger Craig Smith.[94]
- Taskmaster appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy, voiced by Adam Montoya.[95]
- Taskmaster appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers.[96]
- Taskmaster appears as a boss in Spider-Man's abilities while observing him from afar. Once all of the challenges are completed, Taskmaster confronts Spider-Man personally. While the former is defeated, he escapes after revealing he had been hired by a mysterious organization to determine if Spider-Man was worth recruiting.
- Taskmaster appears as the first boss of Marvel's Avengers,[98] voiced by Walter Gray IV.[84] This version is a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who runs a private mercenary group and has history with Black Widow. Additionally, clones of Taskmaster created by A.I.M. appear in side missions.
- Taskmaster appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight as part of the Secret Empire update.[99]
- Taskmaster appears as a purchasable outfit in Fortnite Battle Royale.[100]
Merchandise
- Taskmaster received a figurine in The Classic Marvel Figurine Collection.
- Taskmaster received a figurine in Funko's "Marvel Pop!" line.
- Taskmaster received a figure in Toy Biz's Marvel Legends line.
- Taskmaster received a figure in the Marvel Minimates line.
- Taskmaster received a figure in the Marvel Super Hero Squad line as part of a two-pack with Deadpool.
- Taskmaster received a figure in the Marvel Universe line's "Marvel's Greatest Battles" sub-line as part of a two-pack with Deadpool.
- Taskmaster received a figure in the Lego Marvel Super Heroes "Hulk Lab Smash" set.
- Taskmaster, based on his second design in Ultimate Spider-Man, received a figure in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line via the "Mercenaries of Mayhem" sub-line.
- Taskmaster received a figure in the Marvel Legends Avengers: Infinity War Thanos Build-A-Figure line.
- The MCU incarnation of Taskmaster received a figure in Marvel Legends Black Widow line.
Miscellaneous
- Taskmaster appears in the HeroClix Collectible Miniatures game.
- Taskmaster appears in the Marvel Crisis Protocol miniatures game.[101]
Collected editions
Title | Material Collected | Published Date | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Taskmaster: Anything You Can Do... | Avengers #195-196, 223; Marvel Team-Up #103 and 146; Thing #26; Amazing Spider-Man #308; Iron Man #254; Daredevil #292-293; Deadpool (vol. 2) #2; Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman #1; Avengers (vol. 2) #26; Captain America (vol. 2) #44; material from Captain America Annual #11 | March 3, 2020 | 978-1302921316 |
Taskmaster: Unthinkable | Taskmaster (vol. 2) #1-4 | May 18, 2011 | 978-0785152606 |
Taskmaster: The Right Price | Taskmaster (vol. 1) #1-4, Taskmaster (vol. 2) #1-4, and material from Marvel Comics Presents (vol. 2) #2, Age of Heroes #3 | March 31, 2020 | 978-1302921323 |
Taskmaster: The Rubicon Trigger | Taskmaster (vol. 3) #1-5 | July 29, 2021 | 978-1302921712 |
References
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- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.[1]
- ISBN 978-0756641238.
Created by writer David Michelinie and artist George Pérez, Taskmaster could mimic any physical skill he had ever seen.
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External links
- Taskmaster at Marvel.com
- Taskmaster at Marvel Wiki