*Marvel: The polymath skill-pilferer the Taskmaster has proved one of the more popular characters from the later 20th Century Marvel Universe, achieving the status of reluctant anti-hero through nuanced and well-written stints in the series Avengers: The Initiative and Avengers Academy. Having made a menacing last page cameo in the preceding issue, #196 is the Taskmaster’s first full appearance. This superior pence printed copy is glossy and supple with white pages and tight firm staples. Slight handling wear at the spine and edges keeps the grade from being really high, but there are no colour breaks in the vivid cover image and this copy presents very well.
PICTURED: AVENGERS #196 FN/VF p £70 SOLD