1. Taskmaster is trying to recover a memory from a diner when a bunch of assassins show up. Why they show is a pretty big spoiler, and will follow this, if you’re interested.
2. Taskmaster is being hunted with a billion dollar bounty on his head by AIM who think he betrayed everyone to Steve Rogers.
3. Taskmaster, however, has very few memories here, as his “Memory Palaces” that allow him to use everyone’s fighting ability have overrun his memories. This twist allows the irredeemable villain a chance to be the protagonist here and is a great touch.
4. The waitress as his unwitting ally in this series is a good touch, since he’s such an unrelenting bastard, protecting someone allows us to at least sympathize with someone.
5. The different folks hunting him are all awesome! From the Legions of Living Lightning to the Trenchcoat Mafia, Taskmaster destroying these amusing tools is not only Van Lente’s imagination gone wild, but a great way to have us laughing and cheering for Tasky.
6. The AIM soldier who respects and idolizes Taskmaster trying to give him an honorable end, only serving to provide him a warning of impending danger, works especially well as Taskmaster is so often contrasted with Deadpool, who’s personal Hydra Agent, Bob, is a total goof.
7. Jefte Palo is clearly very talented, but should really cut loose and abandon more of the Marvel House Style for stuff this insane.
8. Death by Science! Van Lente, Pak, Hickman, Cornell and Gillen are doing such fun and imaginative things with comics right now. It’s a shame we lost Fraction to the uber-serious Bendis-camp. I’m getting worried about Parker, too.
9. So, what are the odds the waitress survives this? If Taskmaster saves her, he’s almost redeemed and has a new character arch, while if he kills or lets her die, he’s a ridiculous bastard and ends up where he started again.
10. <b>Rating: 8.5/10</b> – By making Taskmaster the protagonist successfully, creating an interesting backstory for this series, and providing him with a character arch that could lead to real change, Van Lente has crafted a great read. Catapulting this to excellent is the sheer bravado and imagination pouring off of every page. This is must read.
