View source for White Tiger (Ava Ayala)

{{short description|Marvel Comics superhero}}
{{Infobox comics character| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
image=[[File:Avengers Academy 24.jpg|250px]]
|caption=Ava Ayala (right) and [[Julie Power]] (left) as depicted in ''[[Avengers Academy]]'' #24 (January 2012). Art by Rodin Esquejo.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|debut=''[[Avengers Academy]]'' #20<br />(December 2011)
|creators=[[Christos Gage]]<br />[[Tom Raney]]
|character_name=White Tiger
|real_name=Ava Ayala
|species=[[Human]] mutate
|alliances=[[Daughters of Liberty (comics)|Daughters of Liberty]]<br />[[Avengers Academy]]<br />[[The Mighty Avengers|Mighty Avengers]]<br />[[Heroes for Hire]]<br />[[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]
|aliases=White Tiger
|powers=*Superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability, stamina, and senses
*Regenerative healing factor
*Razor sharp claws
}}
'''White Tiger''' ('''Ava Ayala''') is a [[superheroine]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by [[Christos Gage]] and [[Tom Raney]], the character [[First appearance|first appeared]] in ''[[Avengers Academy]]'' issue #20 (December 2011).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meagan |date=January 8, 2017 |title=White Tiger Should Be Netflix's Next Marvel Hero |url=https://www.cbr.com/white-tiger-should-be-netflixs-next-marvel-hero/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> Ava Ayala is the fifth incarnation of [[White Tiger (comics)|White Tiger]]. She is the younger sister of [[White Tiger (Hector Ayala)|Hector Ayala]] as well as the aunt of [[White Tiger (Angela del Toro)|Angela del Toro]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Switzer |first=Charles |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Fan Reimagines Jenna Ortega As Marvel's White Tiger In Stunning Artwork |url=https://www.looper.com/1150773/fan-reimagines-jenna-ortega-as-marvels-white-tiger-in-stunning-artwork/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Looper (website)|Looper]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The character has also been a member of the [[Mighty Avengers]] and the [[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]] at various points in her history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entwistle |first=Brady |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Daredevil Art Imagines Jenna Ortega's MCU Debut As White Tiger In Born Again |url=https://screenrant.com/daredevil-born-again-jenna-ortega-white-tiger-art/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Publication history==
Ava Ayala debuted in the twentieth issue of the 2010 ''[[Avengers Academy]]'' series, and was created by writer [[Christos Gage]] and artist [[Tom Raney]]. She later appeared in the 2013 ''[[Mighty Avengers]]'', by [[Al Ewing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Mighty Avengers #7 Preview From Marvel Comics Released Online |url=https://comicbook.com/news/mighty-avengers-7-preview-from-marvel-comics-released-online/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> She appeared in the 2015 ''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' series, by [[Al Ewing]]. She appeared in the 2021 and 2022 ''Marvel's Voices: Comunidades'' anthology series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marvel |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Your First Look Inside 'Marvel's Voices: Comunidades' #1 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/your-first-look-inside-marvel-voices-comunidades-1 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Machado |first=Yolanda |date=July 20, 2021 |title=MARVEL VOICES: COMUNIDADES to Highlight Latinx Superheroes |url=https://nerdist.com/article/marvel-voices-to-highlight-latinx-superheroes-miles-morales-america-chavez/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Nerdist]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Marvel Comics Publish Latinx Edition of Marvel's Voices: Comunidades |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-comics-publish-latinx-edition-of-marvels-voices-comunidades/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marvel |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Your Complete Guide to This Year's 'Marvel's Voices: Comunidades' #1 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/hispanic-heritage-marvels-voices-comunidades-1-2022 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=August 26, 2022 |title=Marvel First Look: Marvel's Voices: Comunidades #1 • AIPT |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/08/26/marvel-first-look-marvels-voices-comunidades-1/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=AiptComics.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
==Fictional character biography==
Ava, the fifth White Tiger, is the sister of Hector Ayala and a student of the [[Avengers Academy]]. She inherited the White Tiger amulet from her brother and came to live with her sister Awilda's family after [[Gideon Mace]] killed her parents. Upon her introduction, Ava states the White Tiger is a family legacy that she intends to honor. She also criticizes classmate [[Reptil]] for not being more active in the [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] community.<ref>''[[Avengers Academy]]'' #21 (November 2011)</ref><ref>''Avengers Academy'' #24 (January 2012)</ref>
White Tiger joined the Avengers Academy students in fighting the [[Purifiers (Marvel Comics)|Purifiers]].<ref>''Avengers Academy'' #23</ref>
During the ''[[Infinity (comic book)|Infinity]]'' storyline, White Tiger and [[Heroes for Hire]] thwart [[Plunderer (comics)|Plunderer]]'s plan to steal robot parts. When the [[The Superior Spider-Man|Superior Spider-Man]] ([[Doctor Octopus]]' mind in Spider-Man's body) stops Plunderer and considers the Heroes for Hire team as mercenaries, White Tiger quits the team and joins the [[The Mighty Avengers|Mighty Avengers]].<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #1</ref>
During the ''[[Inhumanity (comics)|Inhumanity]]'' storyline, White Tiger and [[Power Man (Victor Alvarez)|Power Man]] kill [[Shuma-Gorath]] by combining their chi.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #4.INH</ref><ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #3</ref><ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #5.INH</ref><ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #6</ref> She later attempts to kill Gideon Mace before the other Mighty Avengers stop her.<ref>''Mighty Avengers'' Vol. 2 #7</ref>
During the ''[[Secret Wars (2015 comic book)|Secret Wars]]'' storyline, White Tiger attempts to reconcile with her surviving family members. They are angered that she has chosen a violent lifestyle and threaten to kill her if she does not leave.<ref>''Captain America and the Avengers'' #8</ref>
In the ''[[All-New, All-Different Marvel]]'' event, White Tiger joins [[Sunspot (Marvel Comics)|Sunspot]]'s incarnation of the [[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]].<ref>''New Avengers'' Vol. 4 #1</ref>
Ava later battles her niece [[White Tiger (Angela del Toro)|Angela del Toro]] in Rome, during which their respective tiger gods and amulets merge.<ref>''New Avengers'' Vol. 4 #7</ref>
During the New Revengers' attack on the New Avengers at Avengers Base Two, Ava battles Angela again, destroys her amulet, and frees her from the Tiger God's influence. The two later help the New Avengers defeat the New Revengers and a rogue [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] agent who was hunting [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]]<ref>''New Avengers'' Vol. 4 #14-17</ref>
After defeating a rogue A.I.M. group, Ava and Angela discuss their future, with Ava wondering who the Tiger God will choose to be the next White Tiger.<ref>''New Avengers'' Vol. 4 #18</ref>
==Powers and abilities==
The White Tiger amulet augments Ava Ayala's physical abilities to superhuman levels. Additionally, she possesses sharp claws and is trained in martial arts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulatowski |first=Rachel |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Who Is White Tiger? Marvel's White Tiger, Explained |url=https://www.themarysue.com/who-is-white-tiger-marvels-white-tiger-explained/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[The Mary Sue]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Adam Barnhardt of ''[[ComicBook.com]]'' called Ava Ayala a "fan-favorite Avengers character," writing, "While mystical at heart, White Tiger has often found herself as one of the street-level characters Marvel fans have long hoped to see in live-action."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnhardt |first=Adam |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Daredevil: Born Again Rumored to Debut Fan-Favorite Avengers Character |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/daredevil-born-again-rumored-to-debut-fan-favorite-avengers-character/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Evan Lewis of ''[[MovieWeb]]'' ranked Ava Ayala 6th in their "10 Female Characters the MCU Should Introduce in Future Phases" list, saying, "She would be refreshing and bring something new to the table."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Evan |date=March 23, 2023 |title=10 Female Characters the MCU Should Introduce in Future Phases |url=https://movieweb.com/female-characters-mcu-should-introduce/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref> Megan Nicole O'Brien of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked Ava Ayala 8th in their "Every Member Of The Daughters Of Liberty" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Megan Nicole |date=September 26, 2020 |title=Every Member Of The Daughters Of Liberty, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-daughters-of-liberty-ranked/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> Daniel Kurland while ranked her 15th in their "15 Obscure Marvel Characters Who Deserve Their Own Movie" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurland |first=Daniel |date=January 23, 2023 |title=15 Obscure Marvel Characters Who Deserve Their Own Movie |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-lesser-known-heroes-possible-film/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> Jack Walters of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' called Ava Ayala the "White Tiger that most Marvel fans know and love from the comics."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Jack |date=July 23, 2022 |title=10 Superheroes That Should Be Introduced In The MCU, According To Reddit |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-superheroes-should-be-introduced-to-mcu-reddit/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Other versions==
An alternate universe variant of Ava Ayala from Earth-11080 appears in ''Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers''. This version is one of the last surviving students of the Avengers Academy following a virus outbreak. After she, [[Mettle (character)|Mettle]], [[Veil (comics)|Veil]], and [[Striker (Marvel Comics)|Striker]] are infected, they begin wearing Doomstones to prevent it from taking over them before Ava is killed by an infected [[Thunderbolt Ross|Red Hulk]].<ref>''Marvel Universe vs The Avengers'' #03 (February 2013)</ref><ref>''Marvel Universe vs The Avengers'' #04 (March 2013)</ref>
==In other media==
===Television===
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goellner |first=Caleb |date=March 1, 2012 |title='Ultimate Spider-Man' Animated Series Reveals its White Tiger |url=https://comicsalliance.com/ultimate-spider-man-animated-series-white-tiger/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[ComicsAlliance]] |language=en}}</ref> voiced by [[Caitlyn Taylor Love]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=White Tiger Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/White-Tiger/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is a member of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'s training program for teenage superheroes along with [[Spider-Man]], [[Iron Fist (character)|Iron Fist]], [[Luke Cage|Power Man]] and [[Nova (Sam Alexander)|Nova]]. Additionally, she has history with [[Kraven the Hunter]], who killed her grandfather and [[White Tiger (Hector Ayala)|father]], both previous White Tigers, for their familial amulet, which she inherited. However, her powers also have the risk of making her more aggressive and cat-like, which she constantly works to suppress. In the third season, she joins the [[New Warriors]].
** An [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|alternate universe]] incarnation of Ava appears in the episode "Return to the Spider-Verse", voiced by [[Cree Summer]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is a [[Vampire (Marvel Comics)|vampire]] loyal to the [[Lizard (character)|Lizard King]] until Spider-Man, [[Miles Morales|Kid Arachnid]], and [[Blood Spider]] use the [[Siege Perilous (comics)|Siege Perilous]] to cure her and the Lizard King's victims.
*Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears in ''[[Spidey and His Amazing Friends]]'', voiced by [[Kylie Cantrall]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2023 |title=''Spidey and his Amazing Friends'' Swings Back for Season 3 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/spidey-and-his-amazing-friends-season-3 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |website=www.marvel.com}}</ref> This version can communicate with animals.
===Video games===
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger, based on the ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' incarnation, appears in ''[[Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes|Disney Infinity 2.0]]'' and ''[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ching |first=Albert |date=June 10, 2014 |title=Spider-Man, Venom and More Added to "Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes" |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-venom-and-more-added-to-disney-infinity-marvel-super-heroes/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2014 |title=Spider-Man Playset Coming to Disney Infinity |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2014/06/10/spider-man-playset-coming-to-disney-infinity/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=Laughing Place |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Luke |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Black Panther, Ant-Man and Vision Bring the Civil War to Disney Infinity |url=https://comicsalliance.com/disney-infinity-3-marvel-black-panther/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[ComicsAlliance]] |language=en}}</ref> voiced by [[Courtnee Draper]].
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears in ''Marvel: War of Heroes''.
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]'', voiced again by Caitlyn Taylor Love.
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Future Fight]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/video_games/26610/gwenpool_crashes_into_marvel_future_fight|title=GWENPOOL CRASHES INTO 'MARVEL FUTURE FIGHT'|work=Justin Snyder, marvel.com|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160818003932/http%3A//marvel.com/news/video_games/26610/gwenpool_crashes_into_marvel_future_fight|archive-date=August 18, 2016}}</ref>
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears in ''[[Marvel: Avengers Alliance]]''.
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2]]'', voiced by Skye Bennett.
* Ava Ayala / White Tiger appears in ''[[Marvel Snap]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Liam |date=February 15, 2023 |title=MARVEL SNAP Explained: Who Is White Tiger? |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-snap-explained-who-is-white-tiger |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Kai |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Marvel Snap: The 10 Best Cards To Combo With Wong |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-snap-best-cards-to-combo-with-wong/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mayra |date=March 24, 2023 |title=10 Most Powerful Marvel Snap Heroes |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-snap-most-powerful-heroes/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Ava_Ayala_%28Earth-616%29 White Tiger (Ava Ayala)] at Marvel Wiki
* [http://comicvine.gamespot.com/ava-ayala/4005-80709/ White Tiger (Ava Ayala)] at Comic Vine
{{Avengers Academy}}
{{Avengers characters}}
[[Category:Characters created by Christos Gage]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 2011]]
[[Category:Latin American superheroes]]
[[Category:S.H.I.E.L.D. agents]]
[[Category:Avengers (comics) characters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics female superheroes]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman senses]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics martial artists]]
[[Category:White Tiger (comics)]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing]]