White Tiger

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 solo comic book series, by Tamora Pierce, Timothy Liebe, and Philippe Briones.

Fictional character biography

Angela del Toro is the heir to a heroic legacy that began with the Jade Tiger, an enchanted statue from the kingdom of K'un-L'un. Broken into pieces, the statue's paws and head resurfaced in America, where the Sons of the Tiger wore them as amulets that enhanced their martial arts prowess. When the Sons disbanded, their discarded amulets were discovered by del Toro's uncle, the young Hector Ayala, who transformed into the superhuman White Tiger through their power. 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.

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.

Recognizing del Toro's sincerity, Murdock challenges her to scale St. Catherine's Cathedral, then engages her in rooftop combat as Daredevil. Convinced of her ability, Murdock presents del Toro with a final lesson by leading her to a robbery in progress. Subduing the robbers single-handedly, del Toro is touched by the gratitude of the shopkeeper she had rescued. Shortly thereafter, del Toro rescued Murdock from ex-crime lord Alexander Bont and his reluctant henchman Gladiator.

During the start of her career as a masked crime-fighter, Del Toro uncovers a government ID smuggling plot by the Yakuza and a secret organization known as the Chaeyi, and starts work at 212 Security, a private bodyguard service. As White Tiger, she attempts to stop the activities of the two criminal organizations through various team-ups with fellow superheroes including Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Black Widow, often facing off against King Cobra and the Yakuza that killed her partner. After ending the relationship between the Yakuza and Chaeyi, the leader of Chaeyi vows to get revenge against White Tiger and enlists the help of Omega Red.

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. 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. Additionally, del Toro 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. Heather Marlette of Screen Rant included Angela del Toro in their "Marvel: 10 Incredible Latinx Characters" list.

Other versions

An alternate universe version of Angela del Toro from Earth-58163 appears in House of M: Avengers #3. This version is a member of Luke Cage's underground human resistance movement against mutants who received her amulet by mail from Hector Ayala.

In other media

Angela del Toro / White Tiger appears in Daredevil: Born Again, portrayed by Camila Rodriguez.

Angela del Toro / White Tiger appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.