In "When We First Met", we spotlight the various characters, phrases, objects or events that eventually became notable parts of comic lore, like the first time someone said, "Avengers Assemble!" or the first appearance of Batman's giant penny or the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth or the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter. Stuff like that.

Today, based on a suggestion from longtime reader Mik B., we take a look at the first time that we got to see what Taskmaster looked like underneath his famous skull mask.

After a last-page cameo in Avengers #195, Taskmaster made his full debut in Avengers #196 (by David Michelinie, George Perez and Jack Abel, who also inked Wolverine's first appearance - talk about good timing for the great Jack Abel!)...

After showing off his "photo reflexive" powers...

We learn his origins and they make a point to NOT show his face in the flashbacks...

That would be the case for the next decade plus. His recurring shticks was that he almost never gets caught and that he never showed his face.

Both of those were foiled in Daredevil #293 (by D.G. Chichester, Lee Weeks and Al Williamson), when Taskmaster and Tombstone were competing over who could kill the most people on a list (while Punisher was trying to kill both of the villains)...

Daredevil maneuvered Taskmaster into position where he would be hit by a taxi...

Daredevil (as Matt Murdock) then went to go visit Taskmaster in the hospital and we got to see Taskmaster unmasked for the first time, but Chichester was sure to make sure that he was so cut up from various plastic surgeries that later writers could clearly go in whatever direction they wanted with Taskmaster's look under the mask.

Thanks for the great suggestion, Mik!

If anyone else has a suggestion for/question about a notable comic book first, drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!