Taskmaster question

[Captain Comics]

I've never liked the Taskmaster, because he snaps my suspension of disbelief like a garter in a cheap bordello.

I actually enjoyed his characterization in "Siege" -- it really rang true and involved me with the character. It's his super-power that bugs me.

His power is "photographic reflexes," meaning -- as he explains it -- if he sees something done, he can replicate it instantly. But, obviously, that doesn't extend to super-powers: Just seeing Thor lift a Buck doesn't mean Taskmaster can, because while he would know the proper stance and such, he wouldn't have the muscles to pull it off. He can see Spider-Man stick to a wall, but obviously he can't replicate that.

But I think the same thing should apply to his replicating the fighting styles of, say, Daredevil and Captain America. While he may know how to do a triple-backflip after seeing DD do it, why should he be able to replicate it? Has he spent a lifetime building up those muscle groups, like Matt Murdock has? Has he kept his body limber enough? Why doesn't a guy who is always depicted sitting on a couch drinking beer not snap a hamstring trying to fight like Daredevil?

Same thing with Cap. He may know how Cap throws a punch, but Taskmaster doesn't have the Super-Soldier Serum -- his punch wouldn't be as hard. He could replicate Cap's moves (possibly, unless he snapped hamstring, see above), but he wouldn't be nearly as strong. And he may know how to throw a shield like Cap, but it wouldn't hit as hard, nor could he throw it hard enough for multiple ricochets, and wouldn't catching it break his arm?

But perhaps I'm speaking from ignorance. Has it ever been explained how Taskmaster can not only move like DD and Cap, but be as strong and limber as they are?

And if not, is anyone else bothered by this?

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

You know...I love Taskmaster as a badguy and have always liked his "power". So...no...it's never bothered me.

It also helps that this was one of my very favorite comics growing up...and Taskmaster is the baddie in it.

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

...and, c'mon, he has a skull-face!

[Captain Comics]

And that's another thing! What's with the skull face? What does that have to do with powers and/or name? As a taskmaster he ought to be wearing ... oh, I dunno, a mortarboard? I don't see what skulls have to do with it.

[Rich Lane]

What do big, black rimmed, arched eyes have to do with spiders?

Captain Comics said:

And that's another thing! What's with the skull face? What does that have to do with powers and/or name? As a taskmaster he ought to be wearing ... oh, I dunno, a mortarboard? I don't see what skulls have to do with it.

[Rich Lane]

I think TM has been shown to train extensively for precisely the reasons you state.

[Dagwan]

He's a big Grateful Dead fan.

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[Doctor Hmmm?]

Captain Comics said:

And that's another thing! What's with the skull face? What does that have to do with powers and/or name? As a taskmaster he ought to be wearing ... oh, I dunno, a mortarboard? I don't see what skulls have to do with it.

I think you're thinking of this guy.

[Captain Comics]

Actually, I was thinking of this guy! :)

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Caught without your handbook, Cap? For shame! According to The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Deluxe Edition), "He is a naturally gifted athlete who has trained himself to supurb physical condition," and that's good enough for me. But now that you've brought it up, what about Captain America? He attained "supurb physical condition" artificially, via the use of the super soldier serum enhanced by vita-rays. On more than one occasion, though, the serum was purged from his system and he automatically reverted to a 98 pound weakling! Serum and rays notwithstanding, don't you think decades of exercise and training would have allowed him to remain physically fit, even without the serum in his system?

[ClarkKent_DC]

In Taskmaster's origin story -- in which he relates his background to somebody, I forget who -- he mentions that when he chose the course of being a supervillain, he dedicates much of his time to regular, intensive physical training.

In that same story, he mentions how he became a high-school star at football after watching one pro game. That always made me wonder: If he could do that, then why turn to a life of crime? He could have become rich in any of several pro sports, or even more than one. Or, with that ability, he could have learned any musical instrument and made it big that way.