Merge:Grasshopper

Doug Taggert
Grasshopper is a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the "GLA: Misassembled" miniseries of 2005. The character was created by Dan Slott and Paul Pelletier. He was (very) briefly a member of the Great Lakes Avengers.

History
Grasshopper's first appearance technically was in issue #1 of the GLA miniseries, in which he joined in a fourth wall breaking out-of-continuity prequel presented by Squirrel Girl. However, his first in-continuity appearance did not happen until issue #2.

Within his first panel, 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 course of the battle, Grasshopper agrees to join up with the GLA ... and then almost immediately is killed by a sai thrown by supervillain Zaran after it passed through fellow teammate Doorman. As team sidekick Monkey Joe comments off-panel, "five point eight seconds. A new record for shortest membership on ANY team."

The Doug Taggert Grasshopper had one more brief appearance, showing up in a limbo-like afterlife hanging out with other deceased GLA'ers. Though not particularly cheery in demeanor, he didn't seem too upset about his unfortunate fate either.

Powers and abilities
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 hindlegs. These legs can also deliver devastating kicks. Its secondary abilities include "Insectroid Sensors", which work as an early warning system, and the suit's 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 (unfortunately) had while using the suit.

Significant Issues

 * GLA: Misassembled #2
 * GLX-Mas Special #1 - (Shelton becomes the Grasshopper)

Neil Shelton
The second Grasshopper is a fictional, corporate superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in the pages of the Great Lakes Avengers miniseries in 2005.

The Grasshopper first appeared in GLX-Mas Special #1, a Marvel Comics title and was created by Dan Slott and Paul Pelletier.

He is a member of the Great Lakes Avengers but, like Doug Taggart, was killed in action.

Publication history
The Grasshopper is a combined homage to Iron Man and Spider-Man; borrowing many aspects of each's histories.

Like Taggart before him, Shelton didn't live more than one issue, which may end up being a tradition for any future wearers of the mantle.

History
Neil Shelton, a security guard for Roxxon who gained use of the Grasshopper suit in the intervening time after Doug Taggert's summer death. While patrolling outside of Roxxon Labs on Christmas day, Shelton defeated Killer Shrike (himself a former employee of Roxxon) during his attempt to steal "Project Z".

Dr. Cindy Shelton recovered the "Project Z" device. During a conversation between the two, Neil reveals in a thought bubble that he is actually Cindy's long lost brother and then refuses a dinner invitation from her. This revelation makes the previous Grasshopper/Cindy Shelton love triangle even more bizarre.

Neil then initiates a "Maximum Jump", which is later revealed to have propeled him into space, killing him. Later, his body re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and becomes a shooting star. His body is taken to the afterlife by the newly empowered Doorman.

Powers and abilities
The second Grasshopper 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 the suit's Zoom Lenses, which provide long range sight. Voice activated commands can be used to initiate some of the suit's powers. Neil Shelton's armor could do a "Maximum Jump.

Significant Issues

 * GLX-Mas Special #1

Comments
Both Grasshoppers are clearly a simultaneous homage to and satire of stereotypical superheroes in general, and Marvel's tendency towards animal-themed characters in particular. The complicated romantic troubles of the first Grasshopper recall at least a dozen other characters with similar subplots (Spider-Man, for instance), as does the unlikely family background of the second. Conceptually, the character borrows most obviously from Iron Man (even going so far as to note the similarities himself). Neither Grasshopper to date has survived past the issue they first appeared in, which may end up becoming a "tradition" for any future bearers of the name. This itself may also be a form of satire, lampooning the tendency of superhero team books to introduce new, hastily developed characters just for the sake of dramatically killing them off within a few issues.

External link

 * Great Lakes Avengers