Taskmaster is a minor antagonist in Marvel's Spider-Man, the PlayStation 4 video game. He is a mysteriously well-funded superhuman mercenary.
History
Early history
Not much is known about Taskmaster. He is a mysterious figure who, at some point in his life, gained the ability to copy the physical movements and fighting style of anyone he witnesses, eventually becoming a highly skilled mercenary.
At some point prior to Marvel's Spider-Man, he went toe to toe with the Avengers.
Marvel's Spider-Man
Taskmaster is hired by a secret organization to monitor and possibly recruit Spider-Man. In order to study the web-slinger, he sets up various challenges for him throughout the city, ranging from facing waves of enemies to deactivating bombs on the city. After learning how he operates and replicating his powers, Taskmaster engages Spider-Man in a fight himself, but escapes shortly before defeat, stating that he "needs more data before he can fulfill his contract".
After Spider-Man takes on more of his challenges, Taskmaster ambushes him once more. Following his defeat, Taskmaster reveals his purpose before vanishing.
Appearance
Concept art
Personality
Sometimes information's worth more than money and I've learned plenty watching you.
Taskmaster
Being a contract mercenary, Taskmaster prides himself on professionalism and completing his job. Despite this he shows patience as he is not content until he has learnt everything about his target before completion and adding their abilities to his already vast skillset. Given the high-grade military nature of his equipment and recon points it’s unlikely Taskmaster is drawn by money but a desire to encounter a worthy opponent in his line of work. He appears both intrigued and enjoyed about the possibility of Spider-Man being this individual but repeatedly looks down on his own capabilities even after he was defeated by the wall-crawler, he casually implied he was not worth his client's time nor money. However, Taskmaster even praises Spider-Man completing his challenges and even attempts to teach him to improve; because of this Spider-Man jokingly claims Taskmaster to be his coach desiring him to improve as a hero albeit an insane one.
Abilities
- Superhuman abilities: Taskmaster displays enhanced physical attributes, all of which allowed him to go toe-to-toe with Spider-Man's superhuman physical attributes.
- Genius combatant: Taskmaster is a master combatant, acrobat and marksman, which, combined with his photographic reflexes and his superhuman physical abilities, makes him an extremely lethal opponent in battle:
I have a photo-reflexive memory. Anything I see you do, I can do.
Taskmaster
- Photo-Reflexive Memory: Taskmaster's main ability is his incredible superhuman reflexes, also referred to as 'photo-reflexive reflexes'. It appears to be some form of a hypercognitive ability allowing him to observe, assess and then instantly replicate his target's combat maneuvers as well as develop his own countermeasures against them through anticipating their movements. By only watching Spider-Man deal with his bomb, Taskmaster noticed that he favored his right leg and was able to mimic his finishers by observing him in combat. Taskmaster could immediately copy Spider-Man’s swing kick, a move the latter claimed took years to master himself. Due to this, Taskmaster was virtually untouchable in his fight with Spider-Man, as his superior reflexes and memory allowed him to block all attacks, including gadgets with an almost-superhuman speed. The only reason Spider-Man was able to win was due to his enhanced awareness and speed which allowed him to web Taskmaster's face and daze him so he wouldn't see his upcoming attacks as well as the fact that Spider-Man used throwables.
How are you blocking so much?!
Spider-Man to Taskmaster
- Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Due to his photo-reflexive memory and superior training, Taskmaster is an untouchable opponent in combat. Almost any oncoming attack he can block, with the exception of long-distance throws or mid-attack webs. Despite his much more muscular build and heavier weight, Taskmaster was able to perfectly match the much more agile and super powered Spider-Man's moves such as his finishers though Spider-Man was able to withstand this but this was implied to be because of his enhanced healing factor and resilience. According to Taskmaster he had fought equally even with the Avengers but did not specify who had won.
- Master Swordsman: During his fights with Spider-Man, Taskmaster's primary weapon was a photogenic energy sword which had triple usage. It could be directly used as a melee weapon but also capable of unleashing a powerful shockwave into the ground. Taskmaster was also able to use it as a long-ranged weapon and grappling hook in combat; the grappling capabilities allowed him to copy Spider-Man's finishers and swing kick during their duel and even his web-shooters by using throwables in attempt to keep the fight equal.
Equipment
- Advanced technology: Taskmaster has access to a vast array of advanced weapons, mercenaries and monetary funds. He has shown a grappling device akin to a web shooter, wielding a "photogenic energy sword", high-powered fire arms and explosives as well as a militarized body suit. He also has access to drones which drop spy cameras across the city. He is even able to leave box-like computer stations around the city so that Spider-Man can access them to complete his challenges, whose sole purpose is so that Taskmaster can observe Spider-Man in action in various situations.
- Miltarized body suit: Taskmaster’s costume is heavily utilatarian. He wearsbody armour, wields an energy blade, and his helmet resembles a stylized skull. He also wears a grey hood, and the costume has darker colours overall. It can be effectively utilised in both tactical and practical situations.
Relationships
Spider-Man
Original appearance
Taskmaster first appeared in Avengers #195 (May 1980).
Behind the scenes
Brian Bloom is the voice of Taskmaster in Marvel's Spider-Man.
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