| Character Name: | White Tiger |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Debut: | Daredevil vol. 2 #58 (March 2004) |
| Creators: | Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Alex Maleev (artist) |
| Real Name: | Angela del Toro |
| Species: | Human mutate |
| Alliances: | New Revengers The Hand FBI |
| Partners: | Daredevil Iron Fist |
| Aliases: | Agent Angela Del Tigresa Blanca White Tiger |
| Powers: |
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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]
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]
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 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.[5]
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 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/Daredevil (2.0), 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 the White Tiger and enlists the help of Omega Red.[10]
Del Toro is later slain by Lady Bullseye and resurrected as a Hand assassin (in the manner of Elektra Natchios).[11] Later, she is cured of the Hand's black magic by Black Tarantula, and joins Daredevil and Black Tarantula, working within the Hand itself.[12] [13] Del Toro shows much doubt about what they are doing as members of the Hand.[14]
Daredevil appoints White Tiger as one of the five 'Daimyo' of the Hand, presiding over North America[15] and brings her with him to the Daimyo's summit in Japan where she and Bakuto, the Daimyo of South America, immediately come to odds, but Murdock stops them before they fight. Del Toro takes every opportunity to blame Bakuto for their problems in Japan. It is also revealed that Del Toro is still under the corrupting influence of the Hand.[16] [17] [18]
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]
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.
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]
An alternate version of Angela del Toro appears on Earth-58163. Angela appears as part of Luke Cage's underground human resistance in the House of M crossover. When the Sentinels attack, she is one of the members who didn't get teleported out by Cloak. It is revealed that she joined Luke's "Avengers" early on and received the amulet when it was sent to her through the mail by Hector Ayala.[27]