Taskmaster is one of the most dangerous combatants in all of Marvel Comics. His photographic reflexes enable him to mimic the combat techniques of anyone he can observe. This. coupled with advanced tactical training, allows him to hold his own against superpowered people. However, as Deadpool #5 reveals, there’s one surprising technique that Taskmaster can copy with his powers.
Written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Andrea Di Vito, Deadpool #5 largely centers around Wade Wilson’s battle with the villain Death Grip. A magician and martial artist, Death Grip saw the immortal Deadpool as the ultimate challenge for his abilities. Taskmaster was there to provide backup, but he got caught up in fighting Death Grip’s followers.
Taskmaster is not unused to fighting several enemies at once. However, he did find himself at a disadvantage when the cultists started summoning magical flames. Some of them had learned enough from their master to merge mystic arts and martial arts. Thankfully, Taskmaster had a trick of his own to even the odds.
Taskmaster can do magic, to a point
Taskmaster began flexing his fingers and chanting, generating a nimbus of blue light around his hands. He taunted the cultists, saying that he had studied Doctor Strange and learned a “super secret technique” from the Sorcerer Supreme. This turned out to be a bluff, however, and Taskmaster took advantage of the distraction to draw a pistol and shoot the cultists.
Magic in the Marvel Universe is not a matter of simply wiggling one’s fingers and saying some magic words. A deeper spiritual connection is required to truly manipulate the energy of the cosmos. However, the finger gestures and incantations are still a necessary component of many spells. This gave Taskmaster a loophole he could exploit with his photographic reflexes.
While Taskmaster cannot cast any spells, he can mimic the gestures that gather the magical energy used to cast a spell. He cannot do this for long, however, and “another minute of that and my hand would have been toast.” Still, the stunt was an impressive application of Taskmaster’s powers and a prime example of why he is so feared and respected.
Deadpool #5 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
