Written by Tamora Pierce & Timothy Liebe.
Art by Phil Briones; Don Hillsman; Chris Sotomayor; & VC’s Rus Wooton.
Cover Art by David Mack.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for January 2007, this opener for a six-issue mini-series is entitled “A Hero’s Compulsion, Part One: Obsessed.” Set in New York City prior to Marvel’s first Civil War, ex-FBI Special Agent Angela Del Toro finds herself as the reluctant successor to her late uncle: Hector Ayala – the original White Tiger.
In possession of her uncle’s mystical amulet, Angela (donning a stealthy burglar garb) displays enhanced physical talents at night dispatching local thugs in an alleyway. Observing the melee, Daredevil swipes incriminating evidence linked to the Russian mob faction dubbed ‘Chayei.’ Pursuing him to the rooftops, a masked Angela confronts Daredevil – especially after their prior encounter where he had humiliated her in combat and broke Angela’s arm.
Though in agreement on the ‘Chayei,’ Daredevil scolds Angela, as he recognizes her in spite of the burglar disguise. At the same time, she suspects someone is now impersonating Daredevil on Matt Murdock’s behalf. Nonetheless, Angela takes Daredevil’s advice. Conferring with her loyal contact at the Bureau, Angela obtains further info on the Chaeyi and a potential lifeline for future employment.
Meanwhile, the Chaeyi’s Karlson schemes with his Yakuza associates and Cobra (King Cobra’s nephew). They intend to follow up on the masked assailant, who thwarted their hired flunkies in the alley. More specifically, their aim is to either recruit or ruthlessly eliminate Angela.
Having re-established herself in The Bronx as anti-gang, Angela receives a discreet invitation from Matt Murdock. With Natasha “Black Widow” Romanova tagging along, Angela discreetly visits a costume shop to best repackage herself as the new ‘White Tiger.’ Natasha subsequently reveals her own personal incentive for helping Angela wreak havoc on the Chayei.
Going solo, Angela’s first strike as White Tiger has her outnumbered and possibly outmatched in a showdown with Cobra and his thugs. Chasing after Chaeyi mobsters into high-speed traffic, Angela’s inexperience as a vigilante takes a brutal toll.
Aside from guest stars Daredevil and Black Widow, Spider-Man makes a costume shop cameo.
Notes: This issue is available digitally (albeit, with a different cover). The complete six-issue mini-series entitled White Tiger: A Hero’s Compulsion is also available in both digital and trade paperback formats.
REVIEW:
Thankfully not as nasty as the grim noir oozing in Kate Spencer’s Manhunter debut at DC Comics, this first issue makes a solid read. In that sense, a better DC parallel is Renee Montoya’s exploits as the second Question. For this new White Tiger, Tamora Pierce and Timothy Liebe’s plotting is well-matched by this art team’s likable visuals. Case in point: David Mack’s cover image is a terrific creative asset without oversexualizing Angela’s character.
While Angela Del Toro’s White Tiger isn’t an instant Marvel icon, she still presents an intriguing new Latina ally for Daredevil and his associates. The quality storytelling in White Tiger # 1, suffice to say, supplies welcome incentive to explore further installments in this mini-series.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
