Taskmaster #1

Writer: Jed MacKay Artist: Alessandro Vitti Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: November 11, 2020 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 17 User Reviews: 20
8.4Critic Rating
7.7User Rating

TASKMASTER HAS MURDERED MARIA HILL!
Or at least that's what the whole world thinks. Now the greatest spies in the business are hunting him down and won't stop until Taskmaster is dead or clears his own name! Follow JED MACKAY (BLACK CAT) and ALESSANDRO VITTI (SECRET WARRIORS) on a globe-spanning adventure that will send ripples through every corner of the Marvel Universe's espionage community!
Rated T+

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Tanner Dedmon Nov 12, 2020

    Taskmaster #1 gets right to the point, and by the time it does, you'll already be looking to find what happens next. Read Full Review

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - Max Funkey Nov 11, 2020

    Overall I'm a big fan of Taskmaster #1 and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. The creative team has a fun and exciting idea, a great character to execute it with, and a perfect understanding of how that character should behave. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff Nov 11, 2020

    Given how well the opening issue feels, it's kind of surprising that Marvel hadn't thought to feature him in his own series earlier. MacKay infuses the character with a sharp swagger that hits the page with a whole lot of appeal. Perez created a hell of a look for the character back in 1980, but it's kind of clutter for any artist to try to work with. Vitti does such an excellent job of making that clutter work in favor of a visually distinct character in a refreshingly fun series.  Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Crusaders - M.R. Jafri Nov 11, 2020

    Alessandro Vitti's art is pitch perfect and the fact that an artist of this caliber is on this book levels up the expectations for what's to come. Vitti can manage massive action scenes but can also show an incredible broad range of reactions and humor within a simple conversation. That balance is perfect for this book. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Charles Martin Nov 11, 2020

    This Taskmaster miniseries kicks off with a bang, swamping the protagonist with challenges that are exactly ridiculous enough to suit his skills and temperament. Conveyed with witty writing and muscular art, this story delivers multiple delights to any reader who's ready to see exactly what it takes to shake Tony Masters' unshakeable self-confidence. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Nerdly - Dean Fuller Nov 24, 2020

    To reverse Harvey Dent's comment in The Dark Knight Returns: ‘You either die a villain or you live long enough to see yourself become the hero'. Taskmaster's world just got a whole lot more complicated. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Graphic Policy - Brett Nov 11, 2020

    Taskmaster #1 is a hell of a lot of fun. Not sure what else to really say. There's a mix of action and humor and anyone can pick up the comic and enjoy it. It's not deep. There's no deeper themes. It's a simple frame job that has the main character in the crosshairs of others who want him dead in revenge. It's a simple concept but executed so well. I was hoping the comic would be entertaining and it exceeded my expectations getting me to laugh out loud and leaving me with a smile. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Bleeding Cool - Theo Dwyer Nov 21, 2020

    Taskmaster #1 is to Jed McKay as what Superior Foes was to Nick Spencer, even with an egregious use of the best comic SFX ever. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Geek'd Out - Cameron Kieffer Nov 11, 2020

    Alessandro Vittis art is fantastic; his layouts are on-par (not sorry) with the best artists in the business. His style is heavy on detail, most notably in the action sequences, which have a dynamic yet grounded approach. This is used to comedic effect when Taskmaster, in full garb, is evading an assassins bullet while on a golf cart, talking on a cell phone. Its a ridiculous image that Vitti brings to life in a spectacular way. My only gripe is with Taskmasters skull mask is that its always a bit jarring to see him be so expressive beneath the mask, especially with a moving jaw, but its no weirder than Spideys whole eye thing. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    Word Of The Nerd - Brent Jackson Nov 11, 2020

    There is a lot to like about the start of this mini-series. The art is all-around solid; the story is a ton of fun and will have you smiling throughout. I just hope the tone balances out a bit for the next issues. I am all for some silly shenanigans, but I need a little bit of seriousness to grip onto as well. If that balances out in the next issues this will be a delightful mini-series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Nov 11, 2020

    While purists may question the main character's characterization here, Taskmaster #1 remains an enjoyable read. The artwork is solid throughout and the script is funny without sacrificing its high-octane action scene quotient. It is also easily accessible to newcomers. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson Nov 16, 2020

    McKay's script has a Deadpool vibe with less slapstick and the art is unique and dynamic, making for a pleasantly surprising debut issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    AIPT - David Brooke Nov 10, 2020

    Taskmaster #1 is a good first issue, offering an off-color anti-hero that is interesting enough to draw you in. He's no Deadpool, but that's kind of the point since Taskmaster is such a loner. This issue seems to suggest maybe he doesn't have to be such a loner and at the very least many will be along for the ride. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - AJ O. Mason Nov 10, 2020

    If you're looking to read a comic book that beautifully captures the tone of an MCU movie, TASKMASTER #1 is the perfect book for you. The story is a hilarious adventure tale featuring one of the most likable portrayals of Taskmaster, and the artwork elevates the energetic writing. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Multiversity Comics - Luke Cornelius Nov 16, 2020

    "Taskmaster" #1 is a series debut that lacks stakes in its central mystery but makes up for it with humor and energy in abundance. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu Nov 11, 2020

    Ironic that a tale about a man with a great memory would have so little worth remembering, but Taskmaster runs and tries not to die here. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Newsarama - Robert Reed Nov 11, 2020

    Future issues in this limited series need to build something deeper here, otherwise, this story will likely only be revisited by existing Taskmaster fans, rather than creating new ones. Read Full Review

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