The Grasshopper
is the name of multiple humorous fictional
superheroes
appearing in
American comic books
published by
Marvel Comics
, all created by
Dan Slott
. No Grasshopper to date has survived past the issue in which they first appeared. The Grasshoppers are a simultaneous
homage
to and
satire
of stereotypical superheroes and Marvel's tendency towards animal-themed characters. They are also a lampoon of the tendency of superhero team books to introduce new, hastily developed characters only to dramatically kill them off within a few issues. The complicated romantic troubles of the first Grasshopper recall many characters with similar
subplots
(
Spider-Man
, for instance), as does the unlikely family background of the second.
Doug Taggert
[
edit
]
Comics character
Grasshopper
is a
fictional
superhero
in the
Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of the
GLA
miniseries of 2005. The character was created by
Dan Slott
and
Paul Pelletier
. He was a member of the
Great Lakes Avengers
for 5.8 seconds.
Fictional character biography
[
edit
]
Although first appearing when he joined in a
fourth wall
breaking out-of-continuity prequel presented by
Squirrel Girl
,
[1]
he did not appear in continuity until the next issue.
[2]
It is revealed that Grasshopper is in fact Doug Taggert, an employee of
Roxxon
Oil who pines after fellow Roxxon researcher Cindy Shelton, who in turn only has eyes for the "ever-gregarious Grasshopper" (thus setting up a classic comic-book style
love triangle
). Later, it is clarified that Grasshopper is "part-time Roxxon security" who does "some super heroing on the side". Though it is never so stated, the implication is that Roxxon designed and built the gear which is the source of Grasshopper's powers. Soon, Grasshopper meets up with the GLA as they both try to stop a robbery being committed by
Batroc's Brigade
. During the battle, Grasshopper agrees to join up with the GLA and then, almost immediately, is killed by a
sai
thrown by the supervillain
Zaran
after it passed through teammate
Doorman
. As team sidekick Monkey Joe comments off-panel, "Five points eight seconds. A new record for shortest membership on ANY team".
[2]
Later, Doug Taggert briefly appears in a limbo-like afterlife, playing cards with the other deceased GLA members. Though not particularly cheery in demeanor, he did not seem too upset about his unfortunate fate either.
[3]
Powers and abilities
[
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]
The first Grasshopper's powers are derived entirely from a powered suit, metallic green in color and with an appearance reminiscent of his namesake. The suit's primary ability is that of a fantastic vertical leap, powered by long robotic grasshopper legs. These legs can also deliver devastating kicks. Its secondary abilities include "Insectroid Sensors", which work as an early warning system, and Zoom Lenses, which provide long range sight. Voice activated commands can be used to initiate some of the suit's powers. A notable fault of the suit seems to be that, despite its stiff and sturdy appearance, it offers little to no armor protection to the wearer (thus allowing a simple hand-thrown weapon to pierce the head, normally one of the most heavily defended areas on a suit of armor). It is unknown whether Taggart's suit had the "Maximum Jump" ability his successor Neil Shelton had while using the suit.
Significant Issues
[
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]
Neil Shelton
[
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]
Comics character
The second
Grasshopper
is a
fictional
, corporate
superhero
in the
Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of
GLX-Mas Special
#1, a
Marvel Comics
one-shot, in 2005. The character was created by Dan Slott and artist
Ty Templeton
, who based his design on
Paul Pelletier
's design for the original Grasshopper.
[
citation needed
]
It was not made clear if he was a member of the Great Lakes X-Men (as the
GLA
were called at the time) before he, like Doug Taggart, was killed in action.
Publication history
[
edit
]
This Grasshopper is a combined homage to
Iron Man
and
Spider-Man
, borrowing many aspects of each's histories. Like Taggart before him, Shelton did not live more than one issue.
Fictional character biography
[
edit
]
Neil Shelton was a security guard for Roxxon who gained use of the Grasshopper suit some time after Doug Taggert's death. As the second Grasshopper, he used a powered armor similar to that of
Iron Man
. The suit's primary ability is that of a fantastic vertical leap, which is powered by robotic grasshopper legs. Its secondary abilities include Insectroid Sensors, which work as an early warning system, and Zoom Lenses, which provide long range sight. Voice activated commands can be used to initiate some of the suit's powers.
While patrolling outside of Roxxon Labs on Christmas Day, Shelton defeated
Killer Shrike
(himself a former employee of Roxxon) during the villain's attempt to steal "Project Z". Dr. Cindy Shelton shows up to recover the "Project Z" device and, unaware that this is a new wearer of the suit, invites Grasshopper to dinner. Via thought balloon, Neil states that he is secretly Cindy's long lost brother and must deny her feelings. This revelation makes the previous Grasshopper/Cindy Shelton love triangle even more bizarre. To escape Cindy's amorous advances, Neil initiates a "Maximum Jump", rocketing heroically into the air. However, it is later revealed (when
Doorman
, in his new role as an angel of death, shows up to pick up his spirit) that the jump propelled Grasshopper into space, killing him. His sacrifice was not completely in vain, as Grasshopper's body re-entered the Earth's atmosphere to become a beautiful Christmas
shooting star
.
[4]
Significant Issues
[
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]
GLX-Mas Special
#1
"The All-New Grasshopper"
[
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]
Comics character
Grasshopper
|
---|
|
Publisher
| Marvel Comics
|
---|
First appearance
| Deadpool
/
GLI
Summer Fun Spectacular
#1 (September 2007)
|
---|
Created by
| Dan Slott
Kieron Dwyer
|
---|
|
Species
| Human
|
---|
Notable aliases
| The All-New Grasshopper
|
---|
Abilities
| Armored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks
|
---|
The third
Grasshopper
is a
fictional
superhero
in the
Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of the one-shot
Deadpool
/
GLI
Summer Fun Spectacular
#1 in 2007. He was created by writer
Dan Slott
[5]
and artist
Kieron Dwyer
, who based his design on
Paul Pelletier
's design for the original Grasshopper.
[
citation needed
]
Virtually no information was revealed about him other than his status as "The All-New Grasshopper" before a disgruntled
Deadpool
killed him by snapping his neck after being kicked out of the
Great Lakes Initiative
.
[6]
Grasshopper is later shown in
Hell
when Deadpool and
Thanos
venture there in search of the missing
Death
.
[7]
Significant issues
[
edit
]
Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular
#1
Skrull imposter
[
edit
]
Comics character
The fourth
Grasshopper
is a fictional character in the
Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of
Avengers: The Initiative
#19 in 2008. He was created by writers
Dan Slott
and
Christos Gage
.
This Grasshopper turned out to be a
Skrull
impostor as part of the
Secret Invasion
. While Mr. Immortal was shocked to find that he was an imposter, Big Bertha thought it was ridiculously obvious.
[8]
After the invasion is over, the real Grasshopper is not shown in a support group meeting with the others that had been replaced by Skrulls.
[9]
Significant issues
[
edit
]
Avengers: The Initiative
#19
Fifth Grasshopper
[
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]
Comics character
Grasshopper
|
---|
|
Publisher
| Marvel Comics
|
---|
First appearance
| Fantastic Four
Vol. 6 #43
|
---|
Created by
| Dan Slott
Rachael Stott
Andrea Di Vito
|
---|
|
Species
| Human
|
---|
Team affiliations
| Great Lakes Avengers
|
---|
Abilities
| Armored suit grants:
Superhuman leaping via robotic grasshopper legs
Insectroid Sensors
Zoom Lenses
Maximum Jump
Minimal protection from attacks
|
---|
The fifth
Grasshopper
is a fictional character in the
Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of
Fantastic Four
Vol. 6 #43 in 2022. He was created by Dan Slott, Rachael Stott and Andrea Di Vito.
Somehow, this Grasshopper ended up joining the Great Lakes Avengers, alongside a returning
Squirrel Girl
who had initially left after being relied on too much,
[10]
[11]
and was defeated alongside the rest of his teammates against Cormorant. Oddly enough, unlike the previous Grasshoppers, this one actually survives his battle against the sinister alien forces, though he is still badly beaten.
[12]
Significant issues
[
edit
]
Fantastic Four
Vol. 6 #43
References
[
edit
]
- ^
G.L.A.
#1
- ^
a
b
G.L.A.
#2
- ^
G.L.A.
#4
- ^
GLX-Mas Special
#1
- ^
Dan Slott post on his messageboard regarding writing on GLI/Deadpool
- ^
Deadpool/GLI Summer Fun Spectacular
(2007)
- ^
Tim Seeley (
w
), Elmo Bondoc (
p
), Elmo Bondoc (
i
), Ruth Redmond (
col
), VC's Joe Sabino (
let
), Jordan D. White (
ed
). "Part Three"
Deadpool vs. Thanos
, vol. 1, no. 3 (14 October 2015). United States: Marvel Comics.
- ^
Avengers: The Initiative
#19
- ^
Avengers: The Initiative
#20
- ^
I Am An Avenger #1
- ^
Age of Heroes #3
- ^
Fantastic Four
Vol. 6 #43
External links
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]
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Supporting characters
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Enemies
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