...and the rich gets richer

Taskmaster

[from Marvel Team-Up (1972) #103]

  “And here I thought the whole world was eager to kill a Zemo these days.”

“Not everyone has a beef with yer family, zem-brain. Yer old man never once tried to stiff me an’ he always paid me well for the knuckleheads I supplied’im. That’s top-notch for a super villain” 

He narrowed his eyes. “I call bullshit. Prove it. …An’ if we’re equal partners? No more fuckin’ long game bullshit. Full disclosure. I askin’ fer a bullet-point, but gimme the god-damn endgame now. Do it end with Mexico, or ya lookin’ fer a bigger fish?”

A smirk grew across his lips.”I can’t, I guess you’ll just have to trust me, but I can work with the full disclosure. I might be trollin’ the water to see what’s out there. Oh an’ before you ask, I’ve been plannin’ this since before we even step foot in Mexico the first time. I had each step planned out, like Wade burninan’ bailin’ or Cable steppin’ in...But what I didn’t plan on was you gettin’ butthurt over bullshit. Then again I guess it all worked out better this way. Well, you wanna know anythin’ else just ask. I’m an open book.

 ‘ Yeah, I’m having some trouble with her. ‘

“I don’t usually do jobs like that...But seein’ how it’s personal an’ all I’ll do it! Considerin’ if the money is right.”

  “That didn’t come out right.”

“Damn straight it was, kid. If you weren’t a Zemo, I’d kill you for sayin’ some stupid shit like that... Frickin’ kids these days...”

“Oh, yeah, instead o’ a ‘ole third o’ th’country–close enough–an’ a decent profit margin, I got th’chance t’take on a flooded market an’ lowball my normal fees. What a favor, Tony. Don’t say sorry when yer not, it makes ya look like a even bigger pussy than y’are. Like, a ass-kisser. Ya said yer damn piece, so fuck off, now.”

“You always were too short sighted for yer own good, can’t even see the gold mine right in front of yer own frickin’ face. I’m not lookin’ to make some petty cash with small time merc work...No, I’m talkin’ Tony Stark type money. I’ve built enough relationships in each faction throwin’ their chips the pool to have them sing to my tune, sooner or later I’ll have control of the entire fuckin’ market...Which I came here to offer you a piece of it, I figured I could use a level head to help keep me in check. To show you that I'm serious, I'm even willin' to go in as equal partners, or should I still go fuck off?”

He doesn’t want to say it, but after looking at the prices of the furniture, he needs money. Cutting oneself off from Hydra does give the word money problem a new meaning. 

“You goin’ to say somethin’ or just stare at me all day? I know I’m a beautiful man an’ all but Jeez, kiddo.”

Confirmed: a comic can indeed get a song stuck in your head. From “Daken: Dark Wolverine” #10.

In which Maria Hill is hilariously unimpressed by Taskmaster singlehandedly making Dum Dum Dugan and everyone else on the Helicarrier look like idiots.

and everyone died. the end.

‘ Before you do anymore – might I ask if you could help me with something?’

“...Yer fuckin’ serious, aren’t you? Alright, alright – Make your spill. You got thirty seconds to convince me to help or else I’m sendin’ you on a express ticket to the promised land.”