Echo vs. Taskmaster: Do They Have the Same Powers? (& Who Would Win in a Fight?

Echo was a relatively obscure character in the comic books, especially for those who primarily follow street-level superheroes. However, with the release of her show, she is likely to gain popularity. Consequently, fans are raising numerous questions about her. One notable similarity between Echo and Taskmaster prompts a comparison, aiming to determine who might possess greater power between the two.

In the comic books, Echo and Taskmaster share identical abilities

In the comic books, Echo possesses a modest yet formidable skill set. Born with photographic reflexes, she can impeccably memorize, mimic, and reproduce her opponent’s movements. This unique ability has enabled her to master a diverse range of combat skills, establishing her as one of the premier hand-to-hand combatants in the comics. While there was a period when Echo served as the vessel for the Phoenix Force, granting her extraordinary powers, she eventually returned to her regular human form after losing the Phoenix Force. This remains the primary deviation in her otherwise consistent power profile.

Similarly, Taskmaster possesses photographic reflexes from birth, but unlike Echo, there’s a distinctive element to his character. Tony was endowed with artificially enhanced physiology, enabling him to replicate skills and abilities he observes, be it in person or on television. Upon injecting himself with an experimental Nazi version of the Super-Soldier Serum, his brain capacity surged, facilitating instantaneous knowledge absorption. The serum also modified his brain chemistry, enhancing his hypercognitive abilities in terms of skill observation and retention. This distinct serum, a modified form of the adrenal steroid cortisol, even elevated Tony’s short-term memory.

Clearly, Taskmaster has consistently been the more powerful of the two, essentially embodying an enhanced version of Maya Lopez.

In the MCU, Taskmaster and Echo are also similar

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), significant changes were made to both characters, with Taskmaster undergoing a gender swap being one of the notable alterations. In the ‘Black Widow’ film, Taskmaster is depicted with Photographic Reflexes. This ability enables her to flawlessly replicate the fighting styles and movements of others through observation. She can then apply these replicated styles against different opponents and even predict their attacks. Taskmaster has showcased the skill to mimic the fighting techniques of characters like Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Winter Soldier, and Spider-Man. It’s crucial to highlight that, although she can reproduce styles, she cannot duplicate innate powers, and her effectiveness might be constrained without access to the same equipment.

Furthermore, Taskmaster boasts augmented strength thanks to a chip implanted in her neck, empowering her to deliver potent strikes and propel her shield with substantial force. This electronic chip, situated in her neck, is complemented by the heads-up display (HUD) in her helmet.

On the other hand, when Echo was introduced in ‘Hawkeye,’ her powers received minimal attention. Prior to her standalone show, the director disclosed plans to revamp Echo’s abilities, deeming photographic reflexes somewhat mundane, especially since it had already been explored in the MCU.

In the ‘Echo’ series, viewers witnessed Maya tapping into her ancestral powers to enhance her physical capabilities, bestow upon herself super strength and durability, and elevate her marksmanship skills. Echo is also depicted with the ability to receive visions from her ancestors and possesses a form of telepathy, enabling her to delve into Kingpin’s mind in an attempt to aid his healing. Additionally, Echo can relive the memories of her ancestors as if they were her own.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), both characters have undergone alterations, and the gap between their abilities is narrower compared to their comic book counterparts.

Echo vs. Taskmaster: Who Wins?

In the comics, it’s quite evident that Tony would emerge as the victor. With extensive experience, enhanced physiology, and the ability not only to replicate but predict movements, Tony holds a clear advantage. Echo, in comparison, lacks notable distinctions in the comics and is physically weaker without a superhuman edge.

In the MCU, the situation becomes more intricate. Echo has demonstrated her ability to contend with prominent fighters in the MCU, showcasing her prowess. While Taskmaster boasts Red Room training and a chip providing superhuman strength, Echo relies on ancestral empowerment for her superhuman abilities through Chafa.

Taking everything into account, my inclination leans towards Taskmaster winning in the MCU as well. Taskmaster’s greater fighting experience and a vast repertoire of memorized moves over the ages would likely tip the scales in her favor. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!