Taskmaster: Unthinkable (TPB) Review

Taskmaster: Unthinkable Review!!

Then...

...And NOW!!

Taskmaster. Another C, maybe B-List Marvel Villain who has now had a graphic novel of his own. Taskmaster's first major appearance was in #196 of The Avengers back in 1980 as a villain who can learn and counter fighting styles and techniques in a matter of minutes, although most people will probably know him from his appearance as a playable character in Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Either way he's been in the Marvel Universe for 31 years and he doesn't have that much to show for it! He had one series of comics before, but this second series is the first to be collected as a Trade Paperback (TPB) and that's what I'm reviewing now.



This book tells the story of Taskmaster, fresh from the Siege of Asgard, and opens with the Taskmaster in Tokyo, and being confronted with the fact that a rumour is spreading from the Org (a major society that unites all the evil super communities e.g. A.I.M, Hydra etc.) that Taskmaster is now working for Steve Rogers. Not good if your a villain. Thus a bounty is put on his head for $1 Billion.

The problem is Tasky can't remember much. He has absorbed so many fighting styles over the years that his actual memories are being replaced. Luckily he has a technique called a memory palace that's going to help him remember how he got his powers, who the Org is, and then find out who framed him - And we're with him for the duration.

I have to say that this story is pulled off very well in terms of the writing and the pacing. Everything is revealed just as it should be and it all falls into place at the end, not to mention a great twist which may make a few jaws drop. The writing itself has some funny bits but despite the fact it's a bit whacky in places (town full of Hitler's and a music band of Mexican gang members?) it's writing isn't as hillarious as you'd think.

The artwork of this book is good but it seemed a little bit too scruffy for my liking at some places.

All in all though, I think that Taskmaster: Unthinkable is a great book. It tells a shocking origin of this mysterious character for the first time and it is one that won't leave you dissapointed.

9.3/10