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REDSHIRT

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Normal human mutate

Occupation: Leader of a covert umbrella organization

Group Membership: Minions' International Liberation Front (MILF)

Affiliations: AIM, Black Choppers, Cyber-Ninjas, Hydra, Inquisition, Lords of the Living Lightning, Militiamen, Secret Empire, Sons of the Serpent, Trenchcoat Mafia, Ultimatum

Enemies: Mercedes Merced, the Org, Taskmaster

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None revealed (see comments)

Base of Operations: Mobile internationally, especially the USA

First Appearance: Taskmaster II#3 (January, 2011)

Powers/Abilities: Redshirt was a brutal and ambitious leader who had mastered many forms of armed and unarmed combat. He took drugs to strengthen and lighten his skeleton to more ably master the Shi'ar fighting style, and gnosis heightened his mental abilities. He also wielded a heavy, stylized sword.

'I don't watch TV', so don't expect to see Cable

History:

(Taskmaster II#4 (fb) - BTS) - In an effort to gain control of the Org, weapons suppliers to the world's technological terrorist groups, Redshirt became a member of these groups to gather intel on what they knew of the Org (actually a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. unit) and targeted the Taskmaster for his link to the Org. To counter Taskmaster's copied abilities from the best fighters in the world, Redshirt took AIM-developed drugs to lighten and reinforce his skeleton to help him master the Shi'ar fighting technique J'kramak K'ythri, and had the Inquisition unlock his brain's potential for fighting.

(Taskmaster II#3 (fb) - BTS) - Redshirt forged a bounty offered by the Org on Taskmaster, marshaling together the forces of various technological terrorist organizations such as AIM, Black Choppers, Cyber-Ninjas, Hydra, the Inquisition, Lords of the Living Lightning, Militiamen, Secret Empire, Sons of the Serpent, Trenchcoat Mafia, and Ultimatum.

(Taskmaster II#3) - Redshirt rallied his allied members, who all feared him, decapitating a Cyber-Ninja member who laughed at his codename and the abbreviation of his organization - MILF (Minions' International Liberation Front).

(Taskmaster II#4) - Believing that the revelation that the Org was a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. front would make him the leader of the world's secret terrorist societies, Redshirt and the "Redshirt Men" attacked the deserted outpost on Tierra del Fuego where Taskmaster and his wife, Mercedes Merced, were. The two defeated the MILF forces when Redshirt launched himself at Taskmaster, claiming that the Shi'ar fighting style was too complex for him to photographically absorb. Not wanting to overwrite the newfound memories of his past with his wife, Taskmaster took a beating, fighting back with every style he had absorbed across the years. Finally, Taskmaster absorbed Redshirt's fighting style, kicking the fanatic back, snapping his neck and he died.

Comments: Created by Fred van Lente (writer) and Jefte Palo (art).

Given that he had infiltrated many covert organizations, he must've used a variety of aliases.

Apparently originating with fans of Star Trek (original series), "Redshirt" is a term for a stock character in fiction who dies shortly after being introduced. So I'm guessing he won't be popping up again...

This second Taskmaster limited series is quite an enjoyable read - get it in TPB format for the bonus profiles at the back that provide more info on the groups!

It's been suggested that the common 'western' usage of the initials MILF be elaborated on - check here unless you're easily offended.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Redshirt has no known connections to:


Minions' International Liberation Front (MILF)

Meet the MILF

Headed by Redshirt, the Minions' International Liberation Front (MILF) comprised members of various covert terrorist organizations, notably AIM, Black Choppers, Cyber-Ninjas, Hydra, Inquisition, Lords of the Living Lightning, Militiamen, Secret Empire, Sons of the Serpent, Trenchcoat Mafia, and Ultimatum. Many of the members who attacked Taskmaster (possibly all) were killed. The alliance likely crumbled in the wake of Redshirt's demise.

 

 

 

--Taskmaster II#3 (Taskmaster II#3-4


Black Choppers

An all-extraterrestrial motorcycle gang, they did the arcane bidding of an unknown conspiratorial organization. They joined the first attack on Taskmaster, later forming part of MILF. They supplied Redshirt with a bound Shi'ar warrior, who taught Redshirt a new fighting style unknown to Taskmaster. They were also involved in the unsuccessful later hit on Taskmaster.

 

 

 

--Taskmaster II#1 (Taskmaster II#1,3-4


Inquisition

Inquisition

The Inquisition were sadomasochistic fanatics who believed that almost constant personal torture was required to gain philosophical truths. Their gnostic tortures on Redshirt unlocked an unused part of Redshirt's brain that enhanced his fighting style. They watched the initial attack on Taskmaster and followed Mercedes Merced, threatening to torture her to extract information. The Taskmaster suddenly appeared and blew their brains out - nobody expects that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--Taskmaster II#1


Militiamen

Militiamen

.The Militiamen were a fringe survivalist group that wanted to bring the USA back to the good ol' 18th Century. Their armaments, while appearing dated, were in fact technologically advanced. They sought the bounty on Taskmaster's head, later coming under the banner of MILF and Redshirt's assault on the ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. base that failed against Taskmaster and Mercedes Merced.

 

 

--Taskmaster II#1 (Taskmaster II#1,3-4


Trenchcoat Mafia

Trenchcoat Mafia

The Trenchcoat Mafia comprised Internet-addicted youths linked via an encrypted message board to live out their shooter gaming fantasies. They were part of the initial hit on Taskmaster, also shooting competing teams, but rallied with their counterparts in MILF under the leadership of Redshirt. That alliance attacked the former S.H.I.E.L.D. base where Taskmaster was hiding, but they were either killed by Taskmaster and Mercedes Merced or fled.

 

 

 

--Taskmaster II#1 (Taskmaster II#1,3-4


images: (without ads)
Taskmaster II#4, p6, pan3 (main image)
Taskmaster II#3, p14, pan6 (headshot)
Taskmaster II#4, p8, pan4 (MILF)
Taskmaster II#1, p7-8, pan2 (Black Choppers on bikes)
Taskmaster II#1, p17, pan3 (Black Chopper revealed)
Taskmaster II#1, p19, pan3 (Inquisition)
Taskmaster II#1, p7-8, pan6 (Militiamen)
Taskmaster II#1, p11, pan1 (Trenchcoat Mafia)


Appearances:
Taskmaster II#1-4 (November, 2010 - February, 2011) - Fred van Lente (writer), Jefte Palo (art), Lauren Sankovitch (editor)


Last updated: 08/26/11

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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