Avengers: The Initiative #32 Review

Avengers: The Initiative #32

Christos N. Gage does it again.  Avengers: The Initiative #32 begins the series’ tie-in to the mega-event Siege.  And It begins with a bang.

This issue is yet another character study the characters in the Marvel Universe that hang out in the seedy underbelly of the character barrel, but also a continuation of Taskmaster’s story.  Most of this issue is narrated by the boney faced (dare I say) protagonist.  He delves into his beliefs and history by telling the story of why he became what he is today.

He figured out relatively young that he had these amazing powers of photographic reflexes.  He sees something done once and he’s able to copy it perfectly and consistently.  As he eloquently puts it – others do the hard work, and he collects the paycheck.  Understanding that he could so much with these powers, like become an Olympic champion or a sports hero, he began paying close attention to the “masks” that were running around outside his window and on the television each night.

He didn’t decide to become a villain because he was necessarily evil, he just knew it would pay better and be more fun than being a hero.  With his abilities, he became quite fond of the idea of training the crime boss’ goons.  He would never have to face the deadly end of a hero’s powers or spend time in jail or take a punch, he’d simply train others to take the fall while he cashed in.  He points out that he isn’t a millionaire, but he can eat steak when he wants and buy a new car every year without feeling strapped for cash.

Now that he’s become a legit government employee, he realizes that now is the time he can make a name for himself or forever hang in the background.  He tells Constrictor that the reason why they aren’t up on the ladder where they rightfully belong is that they aren’t as insane as Venom or Bullseye.  They have more sense.  They hold back so they can prevent being knocked around until they are back at the bottom rung of the ladder of life.  In the midst of Siege, Taskmaster is preparing to make his biggest move to climb to the top of the heap.

This entire issue finds three very central characters of the series – Taskmaster, Constrictor, and Diamondback – in not only the biggest physical fight of their lives, but some very serious contemplative situations as well.  Each are in a battle from different angles.  Constrictor’s transforming into a hero before our very eyes.  Diamondback is trying to keep her cover as a mole for the Avengers Resistance and finding it harder with each passing minute in the middle of the battle for Asgard.  Then Taskmaster, who is looking to make his biggest mark in the world by being one of the people responsible for Thor’s death.

I have to say Taskmaster is becoming one of my new favorite characters over the past year or so since joining this series.  His intentions are always geared to his own needs, and he’s selfish, and kinda foolish at times, but he’s truly human under the intimidating exterior.  Gage has really enhanced a character by giving him motive and reason.  Not only that, but here’s a character who is now a key figure almost by accident and unwillingly.  When the arc closes out the series, I’m really going to miss Taskmaster.

(Image courtesy of Marvel Comics)