Enemies: El Vampiro, Ghaur, Deviants (including Karygmax), Thor

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: The Red Bull

Base of Operations: Lima, Peru; formerly, Los Angeles, California

First Appearance: Thor I#290 (December, 1979)

Powers: El Toro Rojo possesses superhuman strenth (approximately class 50) and endurance. His feet are shaped like hooves, and can deliver powerful kicks, and permit him to travel quickly. His steel bull-horns are grafted onto his skull, which has a steel sheath about it.

History: (Thor I#290 (fb)) - Masquerading as a costumed wrestler, El Toro Rojo assaulted the Eternal El Vampiro, and inflicted a grave wound with his horns.

(Thor I#290) - When he came after El Vampiro again, Toro Rojo found him protected by the Asgardian Thor. Although he put up a fierce battle against Thor, and even deflected his hammer with his horns, ultimately, Thor crushed his horns with Mjolnir, rendering him nearly powerless.

BTS - In the years that followed, as part of some punishment, Toro was confined to a totem shaped like a bull. Eventually, this totem was found by Huascar Amaru, who gave him to his son Tupac.

(Marvel Year-in-Review 1992) - Toro Rojo attended the Springdale branch of the Bar with no Name, enjoying the company of Bova, Man-Bull, Matador, and Minotaur.

(Avengers I#370) - When the Amaru farm was attacked by men wanting to grow cocaine on their fields, Toro convinced Tupac to exchange bodies with him. Toro fought bravely for his "playmate"'s family, and killed one of the invaders. Then, he was approached by Warlord Kro, who had added his name to his Delta Network. Kro needed Toro's aid in rescuing the Avengers from Ghaur in Lemuria. He was sent alongside Enigmo, Karkas and Ransak to rescue the Black Knight and Giant-Man from the Deviant arenas.

(Avengers I#371) - Toro fought the Brain-Mine controlled Avengers, but in the midst of his clash with the Black Knight, he was forced to exchange bodies with Tupac again, just as the Black Knight thrust his sword! Fortunately, the brain-mine malfunctioned, and the Black Knight regained control of himself. The other members of Delta Force protected Tupac until they could leave Lemuria, their mission accomplished.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas and Arvell Jones.

by Prime Eternal

Clarifications: El Toro Rojo should not be confused with:

• El Toro, one-time dictator of Santo Rico, @ Tales To Astonish I#54
• Toro, Thomas Raymond, partner of the original Human Torch, @ Human Torch Comics#1
• Toro, bull-like member of the Young Allies of Counter-Earth, @ Heroes Reborn: Young Allies#1
• El Toro Negro, "great game" participant, @ Amazing Scarlet Spider#2

Tupac Amaru is a young Peruvian, descended from the Incas. Tupac is an autistic child who lives in Lima, Peru on his father's farm. His communicating with El Toro Rojo through the Bull Totem is seen to observers as simply an autistic child, talking to himself. --Avengers I#370-371

The Bull Totem, found by Tupac Amaru's father, permits the exchange of bodies between El Toro Rojo and Tupac Amaru. While Tupac is wearing the totem, El Toro Rojo can communicate with him telepathically. Toro Rojo can only replace Tupac for a set number of hours before the two will be forcibly exchanged back. --Avengers I#370

images: (without ads)
Avengers I#370, p19, pan1 (main image)
Thor I#290, Cover (VS Thor)
Avengers I#370, p20, pan5 (head shot)