White Tiger (Angela del Toro)

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Angela del Toro is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, the character first appeared in Daredevil vol. 2 #58 (March 2004).^[1] Angela del Toro is the fourth incarnation of White Tiger.^[2] She is the niece of Hector Ayala and Ava Ayala.^[3]

Publication history

Angela del Toro debuted in the fifty-eight issue of the 1998 Daredevil series, created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev. She later appeared in the 2006 White Tiger series, her first her first solo comic book series, by Tamora Pierce, Timothy Liebe, and Philippe Briones.^[4]

Fictional character biography

Angela del Toro is the heir to a heroic legacy that began with the Jade Tiger, a long-lost enchanted statue from the fabled kingdom of

Going back into action as the White Tiger, Hector was framed for murder and convicted despite the efforts of his lawyer, Matt Murdock. Hector was shot dead trying to escape, shortly before evidence emerged that proved his innocence.[6]^[7]

Del Toro, a Federal Agent, volunteered to participate in the ongoing FBI investigation of the suspected Daredevil, Murdock. However, when Ayala's amulets were handed down to her, an overwhelmed Del Toro asked Murdock to help her decide what to do with them. Knowing the terrible cost of the vigilante lifestyle — and having seen her own partner, agent Harold Driver, killed during the Daredevil investigation —, Del Toro wanted to know why anyone would ever play super-hero. She told Murdock she was willing to quit the FBI and abandon her case if he could answer her questions.^[8]

Recognizing Del Toro's sincerity, Murdock challenged her to scale St. Catherine's Cathedral then engaged her in rooftop combat as Daredevil. Convinced of her ability, Murdock presented Del Toro with a final lesson by leading her to a robbery in progress. Subduing the robbers single-handedly, a proud Del Toro was touched by the awestruck gratitude of the shopkeeper she had rescued, and she finally began to understand her new calling. Shortly thereafter, Del Toro rescued Murdock from ex-crime lord Alexander Bont and his reluctant henchman Gladiator.^[9]

During the start of her career as a masked crime-fighter, Del Toro uncovers a government ID smuggling plot by the

When New York was in crisis, White Tiger ordered Black Tarantula to execute looters; he becomes confused and sees that something is wrong with Daredevil. However, White Tiger is still possessed by the Hand, and stabs Black Tarantula in the back, tossing him over a roof's edge to fall into a vehicle, leaving him for dead.[19] Del Toro is incarcerated after this, with the White Tiger amulets passing to her aunt, Ava Ayala, Hector's teenage sister.

Still suffering from the effects of the Hand's black magic as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, Del Toro is freed from the Cellar by Maker of W.H.I.S.P.E.R., who gives her an alternate version of the White Tiger amulets from a parallel universe, restoring her powers. While in Rome, Del Toro fights Ayala, resulting in Ayala's amulets suddenly reverting to Del Toro. Afterwards, Del Toro goes on to join Maker's New Revengers with approval from the Hand, who believe that Maker's plans would benefit them.^[20] During the New Revengers' attack on the New Avengers at Avengers Base Two, Del Toro confronts Ayala.^[21] As the two White Tigers fight, Ayala manages to snatch the White Tiger amulets that Maker gave to Del Toro and destroys them enough to free Angela from the control of the White Tigers and the Hand.^[22]

Powers and abilities

The White Tiger amulets augment Angela del Toro's strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, reactions, coordination, balance, and endurance to superhuman levels.^[23] It also endow her with formidable martial arts skills. The amulets can enhance her recuperative powers. She has the ability to blend in with her surroundings, using the amulets to camouflage herself.^[24] Additionally, Angela is a trained investigator, a good shot with firearms, and an experienced unarmed combatant.

Reception

Critical response

Deirdre Kaye of Scary Mommy called Angela del Toro a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.^[25] Heather Marlette of Screen Rant included Angela del Toro in their "Marvel: 10 Incredible Latinx Characters" list.^[26]

Other versions

House of M

An alternate version of Angela del Toro appears on Earth-58163. Angela appears as part of

• Angela del Toro / White Tiger appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.^[28][29]

Collected editions

References