Taskmaster's 25th Year Anniversary (TaskmasterSite.Com updated also)

[DragynWulf]

May 1980 was the first appearance of Taskmaster, which would make 2005 his 25th Year Anniversary! I would have gotten to this earlier, but its been a busy year for myself. So better late than never right?

Since his debut Taskmaster as appeared 77 times in a Marvel comic. During those appearances he fought Captain America twice, trained a Captain America replacement who would go on to become USAgent, trained men that Red Skull sent out to kill that same replacement (Watchdogs, Resistance, Scourges, etc.), sent those he considered to be falures to the Red Skull so he could train in his new cloned body, trained one of Captain America's former lovers, trained one of Captain America's better foes (Crossbones) and other things which would become a thorn in Captain America's side which was unknown to many, trained both Spymasters, gained powers and had them taken away in the same issue, found out that Matt Murdock is Daredevil and that Daredevil uses blind style fighting, become a mercenary, killed Batroc and Tarantula's daughters, tried to kill Deadpool, teamed up with Deadpool, joined Agency-X, met two of the three men who have been known as Whizzer (Whizzer II and Whizzer III AKA: Speed Demon), met and fought Batman and Huntress during JLA/AVENGERS crossover and numerous other events.
He also has at least two known appearances in two major hyped titles to be released later this year (one next month and the other in April). Mentioned at least 15 times by another character or in a Handbook entry of another character. Had two action figures (Marvel Gold and Marvel Legends). Bowen Designs made a mini-bust of the character. Appeared in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Poster. 6 Overpower cards created. X-Men Timelines: Deadpool Chase card created. Todd McFarlane Amazing Spider-man card created. 3 HeroClix figure created. Appeared on the ACTS OF VENGEANCE promo/check list card. Appeared in every Marvel comic published when he was shown in the subscriptions page (I forget what month/year, sorry). Comics that he has appeared in has been reprinted numerous times in TPB collections and for forgein released issues. And lets not forget that he had his own limited series as well.

Although some consider Taskmaster to be a Skeletor rip-off it is quite the opposite actually. Taskmaster was created first and printed in AVENGERS v1 #195 (May 1980), while Skeletor was created for the Masters of the Universe toyline in 1982.

Some consider Taskmaster to be a mutant but he actually has no powers. Instead he has a skill known as Photographic Reflexes. Something that made the character original until David Mack created a character known as Echo to appear during his run on DAREDEVIL.

Do to Deadpool being the looney character that he is, he once called Taskmaster "Barney Toastmaster" and since then some consider Barney tobe an aliases of Taskmaster. This however was Deadpool just being Deadpool and just calling him the name, which does not make it an aliases but a name he was once called.

TaskmasterSite.Com has had numerous updates lately including the following:
-Altered the site design a little to make updates even easier for myself as well as make it easier to navigate.
-Interview with Bob Layton concerning his work with Taskmaster in IRON MAN.
-Added numerous characters to the Fighting Styles area including characters like Blizzard II, Goliath III, Hulk, MACH-IV, Quicksilver, Yellowjacket and Wonder Man.
-Added various characters to the Enemies area including Blizzard II.
-Added new images to numerous characters in every section. Including Captain America, Doctor Octopus, Echo, Red Skull, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk and others.
-Updated the History section.
-Updated the Appearances section to include ALPHA FLIGHT v1 #121 and various forgein issues.
-Added new links and link sections.
-Updated the Taskmaster Message Board to include Q&A section and soliciations for upcoming Taskmaster appearances.
-And numerous other updates.

So check it out. Enjoy the site. And have a Happy New Year!

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Thanks for the update!

Looking forward to Taskmaster's appearance in Spider-Woman"Origin # 2 and the upcoming Moon Knight ongoing!

[Taskmaster]

Wow didn't know Taskmaster was going to be in Spider-Woman Origin #2, guess ill actually have to buy a Spider-Woman comic for that appearance. Btw if you ever need help with the Taskmaster sight let me know, id be happy to help with research or whatever

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

Wow didn't know Taskmaster was going to be in Spider-Woman Origin #2, guess ill actually have to buy a Spider-Woman comic for that appearance.

YEP! Bendis himself confirms it here, the second post on this thread, by the man himself:
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboar...9&page=1&pp=10

[Titanium]

I've always wanted to see the X-men hire the Taskmaster to train their students every since they became a real school.

[Dark Soul # 7]

Taskmaster is in something written by Bendis?
Now I´m just torn.
EDIT: And thanks for the update Dragynwulf. Really cool.

[DragynWulf]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

Wow didn't know Taskmaster was going to be in Spider-Woman Origin #2, guess ill actually have to buy a Spider-Woman comic for that appearance. Btw if you ever need help with the Taskmaster sight let me know, id be happy to help with research or whatever

With the exception of the TPBs and ALPHA FLIGHT v1 #121 I have all the Taskmaster appearances listed, so I pretty much do it on my own. If you or anyone else happen to have ALPHA FLIGHT v1 #121 and wouldn't mind sending me scans from that issue, I'd be grateful.
Also, if you come across any appearances I do not have listed or find any usefull information, feel free to send it my way. I will gladly give credit in the Contributor section to you and others that help with information.

[mastaflan]

I like him so much that I didn't mind the Udon costume change. I hope they make a Marvel Legend figure of him in that Udon Costume even though I also really liked the OG costume.

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Is that Taskmaster miniseries any good?

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by ChildOfTheDarkholde

Is that Taskmaster miniseries any good?

Hell yeah! Great series, shows some depth to Tasky while at the same time telling an awesome story. Great art (I especially enjoyed how they show him using others skills) and a good build up to the AMAZING Agent X run by Gail

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

Hell yeah! Great series, shows some depth to Tasky while at the same time telling an awesome story. Great art (I especially enjoyed how they show him using others skills) and a good build up to the AMAZING Agent X run by Gail

Thanks a lot!
And just one more question: Who created Taskmaster?
And does anyone know why he has sorta the same color scheme as DC's Deathstroke?
Was that some sort of inter-company inside joke? (even their swords look similar)

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by ChildOfTheDarkholde

Thanks a lot!
And just one more question: Who created Taskmaster?
And does anyone know why he has sorta the same color scheme as DC's Deathstroke?
Was that some sort of inter-company inside joke? (even their swords look similar)

George Perez was resposible for Tasky's creation (having a brain fart and can't remember who wrote the issue tho) and Deathstroke was created by Perez after Taskmaster so that explain some of the similarities

[Dark Soul # 7]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

George Perez was resposible for Tasky's creation (having a brain fart and can't remember who wrote the issue tho) and Deathstroke was created by Perez after Taskmaster so that explain some of the similarities

That would be David Michelinie who wrote the issue.
What Taskmaster costume do you guys prefer? The old one or the new one?

[Murrocko]

The Udon one. Never really liked that old Cap with cape version.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Murrocko

The Udon one. Never really liked that old Cap with cape version.

Second that, the Udon look slimmed it down, got rid of alot of ridiculous parts of the costume, but still retained a look that makes it distinctly Taskmaster. The comination of the shield, claws, web shooters, billy club, etc.. into the energy projector similar to that once used by Cap was a stroke of genius and the getting rid of a cape was a stellar idea, Dr. Doom and those who want to rule the world need a cape, the want to look regal and imposing, Taskmaster wants to be in the shadows, keep a low profile and do his job, be it training or a merc job, and get out before anyone knows he is around, which made the stolen image inducer another stroke of genius