The Taskmaster is a character that I would love to see show up in the MCU at some point. His costume, which looks cool in the comics, might per pretty hard to pull off in live action, though. Dian "H" For Hero, has always been a fun concept, might be a good candidate for a TV series, no matter which wielder of the H Dial is used. There's a lot of storytelling potential there.
Taskmaster is lying to him. He can only mimic physically honed abilities. Not superhuman powers!
ReplyDeleteTrue. But, Robby Reed doesn't know that!
ReplyDeleteThat's why he said "Counter", not "Mimic".
ReplyDeleteAside from a Superman variation, Robby could surprise Taskmaster and become a variation of the Super-Adaptoid or just teleport out of there. If the dial made Robby a mirror image of Taskmaster, would the big T. know how to take him down? I'd like to see T. take on the Demon for a real workout.
ReplyDeleteAnd very nice cover, Ross.
coool cover.....
ReplyDeletegreat unusual pairing....
keep up your excellent fun work, Ross.....
TM must be spoiling for a fight or he could yank the dial out of Robby's hand long before any dialing could be done. As for Robby, he just might be able to handle T'master if he could find someone powerful enough.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Dial "H" books, but I wish DC did the whole 'Superhero created by the fans' thing again. maybe for a few issues.
ReplyDeleteHow about Dial "H" for Hero and Everyman (The Simpsons)?
ReplyDeletethe dial makes Robby a energy being or puts in an out of time sync or a living cartoon like Roger Rabbit. See him counter that.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a drawing I did ages ago; Merry Man ("Prepare for the most brutal round of fisticuffs in the history of warriorism!") versus theTaskmaster ("Oh, good; anew kickboxing dummy!").
ReplyDeleteRegarding movie costume we know two things: One his mask would not be on most of the time and two it probably would not look anything like comics because movie producer would have a better idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised DC never did a Dial H crossover/team-up with Ben 10 when they were still doing Cartoon Network books. That one seemed like a natural to me
ReplyDeleteJust ditch the cape (or make it tear-away during his first battle), mute the bright colors, and lose a few weapons straps.
ReplyDelete@Ross: Still gives the (false) impression that he can _superhumanly_ counter. Which he can't!
ReplyDelete@Anon: again, the kid doesn't know that!
ReplyDeleteHence, from a military strategy standpoint, bluffing is (arguably) the best counter-offensive measure in the world.
Taskmaster is supposedly going to be the main villain of the upcoming Black Widow movie. So it looks like you'll get your wish Ross!!
ReplyDelete"End of the Road for Robby Reed!"
ReplyDeleteI get the (possibly mistaken) impression here that Taskmaster believes that Robby controls what he becomes. That dial does the deciding, and it's smarter than TM can suspect. Any of the above ideas would be viable for the end battle (though I like the living cartoon idea).
ReplyDeleteI would imagine if Taskmaster is coming to the screen they will probably use the second suit from the Taskmaster mini-series rather than his traditional outfit. It is the one used by the animated series.
ReplyDeleteActually they've had "Dial H" on TV for awhile now. It's called "Ben 10."
ReplyDeleteAnd Robby turns into Giant-Boy and *squish* Taskmaster knows how an ant feels.
ReplyDelete*womp womp*
Det. Tobor: I remember one time the H-Dial turned Robby into a copy of Plastic Man, so I assume it could turn him into a copy of Etrigan as well--and then only Reed's basic decency would save TM from death by incineration.
ReplyDeleteGreat match up, per usual.
ReplyDeleteProbably time for the dial to upgrade to a key pad. A kid Robby's age wouldn't have the first clue how to use a rotary dial.
Agree with A. Cray that it's time to bring the fan ideas into the present. Particularly given the interactivity of Twitter. Which person currently writing could pull that off? Gail Simone leaps to mind.
@Bob Greenwade: I do, too. In fact, Robby's dial could split the difference. Turn him into a replica of Slapstick!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 7:31, I'd like to see Kurt Busiek write it. He could well get some decent character writing done even within the very narrow constraints that the vignette format of the Dial H format requires.
ReplyDelete@Anon #6: You missed the third Dial H series (2003-2004, titled "H.E.R.O."). That one had a keypad instead of a dial. I read most of it, but it was a bit too grim for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteWas that the Vertigo take? If so, I skipped it for the same reason.
DeleteKnowing Vertigo, at the time, I'm sure it was some darkly tragic origin. A la the "revamped" Kid Eternity!
ReplyDeleteCover of the month!
ReplyDelete