Toro (Thomas Raymond)

• Core Identity: Toro is the original flaming sidekick to the android Human Torch, a Golden Age hero and member of the Invaders whose complex history has seen him evolve from a young hero into a symbol of Marvel's ever-changing continuity.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Originally conceived as the “Bucky” to the original Human Torch's “Captain America,” Thomas “Toro” Raymond was one of Timely Comics' (the precursor to Marvel) foundational teenage heroes. He established the archetype of the junior partner to a major hero and was a charter member of the legendary World War II super-team, the invaders.
• Primary Impact: Toro's most significant influence lies in his role as a bridge between Marvel's Golden Age and its modern era. His multiple deaths, resurrections, and origin retcons—from a boy with a strange immunity to fire, to a latent mutant, to an Inhuman—perfectly mirror Marvel Comics' ongoing efforts to integrate its earliest characters into a cohesive, contemporary narrative.
• Key Incarnations: The most critical distinction is one of existence versus complete absence. In the Earth-616 comic book universe, Toro is a legacy hero with a rich, albeit convoluted, history. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he does not exist and has never been mentioned or alluded to, with the MCU's historical narrative focusing exclusively on the partnership between Captain America and Bucky Barnes.

Toro burst onto the scene in Human Torch Comics #2 (Fall 1940), published by Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics. Created by the legendary artist and writer Carl Burgos, who had also created the original Human Torch, Toro's introduction was a strategic move to capitalize on the burgeoning popularity of the “kid sidekick” trope, a trend ignited by the immense success of DC Comics' Robin. Thomas Raymond was designed to give young readers an entry point into the high-stakes adventures of the Human Torch. As “Toro, the Flaming Kid,” he provided a relatable character for the target demographic and added a new dynamic to the Human Torch's stories, shifting them from solo tales of a powerful android to stories of mentorship and partnership. He was a core member of the Young Allies and the invaders, two of Timely's flagship wartime teams. Like many Golden Age heroes, Toro's popularity waned significantly after World War II. He was seemingly killed off in a 1955 story by Red Skull's agents. He remained largely absent from comics for decades until his history was retroactively integrated into the modern Marvel Universe through Roy Thomas's seminal work on The Invaders in the 1970s. This series established the Invaders' wartime history as canonical to Earth-616, bringing Toro back into the narrative fold, albeit primarily through flashbacks. His modern-day resurrections and the subsequent reinterpretations of his origins in the 21st century reflect a concerted effort by creators like Ed Brubaker, Alex Ross, and James Robinson to find a permanent and meaningful place for this Golden Age icon in a vastly more complex universe.

The story of how Thomas Raymond gained his powers and became Toro is a classic example of comic book retconning, with the “official” explanation evolving significantly over time to align with the changing landscape of the Marvel Universe.

Toro's original, Golden Age origin was steeped in the pulp science-fiction of the 1940s. He was introduced as Thomas Raymond, the young son of Fred and Nora Raymond. His father, Fred, was a brilliant scientist specializing in asbestos research who had once worked alongside Professor Phineas T. Horton, the creator of the original android Human Torch. This connection established an early link between the two future partners. Tragedy struck when Thomas's parents were killed in a horrific train derailment orchestrated by an Axis saboteur. Young Thomas survived the inferno of the crash completely unharmed, a feat that mystified investigators. Orphaned and traumatized, he was found and taken in by a circus fire-eater, who was astonished by the boy's natural immunity to flame. The Human Torch, investigating the mysterious circumstances of the crash, eventually located Thomas at the circus. During their encounter, Thomas spontaneously burst into flames, revealing that his immunity was just one facet of his pyrokinetic abilities. Realizing the boy had powers identical to his own, the Torch took him under his wing, giving him the codename “Toro” (a nod to the bull-like charging of a fire) and training him as his partner in crime-fighting. For decades, it was assumed their similar powers were a bizarre coincidence linked to Thomas's father's association with Horton. This origin story stood for over 60 years until the modern era brought new revelations. The Modern Retcon: The Inhuman Connection The 21st century brought a massive retcon that fundamentally redefined Toro's nature. In the 2009 limited series The Torch, written by Mike Carey with story concepts by Alex Ross, it was revealed that Fred and Nora Raymond were not ordinary humans. They were, in fact, members of a hidden community of inhumans. They had fled their society, and Nora was pregnant with Thomas at the time. The fiery train crash that killed them served as a “trigger event”—the intense stress and proximity to unique energy sources activated Thomas's latent Inhuman DNA, effectively serving as a form of spontaneous Terrigenesis. This revelation elegantly explained why his powers manifested and why they so closely mirrored the Human Torch's: his Inhuman genetic potential was for pyrokinesis, and the unique energies of the android Torch in his vicinity may have influenced the specific expression of his powers. This new origin firmly planted Toro within the complex mythology of the Inhumans, moving him away from the “scientific accident” trope and giving him a deeper, more inherent connection to the super-powered fabric of the Marvel Universe. This Inhuman origin is now considered his definitive backstory in Earth-616 continuity.

Toro (Thomas Raymond) does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There have been no appearances, mentions, or Easter eggs related to the character in any film, television series, or supplementary material associated with the MCU (Earth-199999). The MCU's depiction of the World War II era focuses intensely on the singular partnership between Steve Rogers' Captain America and his childhood friend, Sergeant James “Bucky” Barnes. The film Captain America: The First Avenger establishes the howling_commandos as Cap's primary support team, but Bucky is positioned as his sole “sidekick” and brother-in-arms. The introduction of another teenage partner, especially one with fantastical, fire-based powers, would have significantly altered the grounded, military-focused tone of the film and diluted the central emotional arc between Steve and Bucky. While the original android Human Torch made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance at the 1943 Stark Expo—seen in a display case as one of Phineas Horton's “Synthetic Men”—this was purely a nostalgic Easter egg for comic fans. The character was not shown to be active, and there was no narrative space or thematic reason to introduce his sidekick, Toro. As such, the concept of a “Flaming Kid” fighting alongside Captain America in the MCU remains purely in the realm of fan speculation.

Toro's powers and personality have evolved from his early days as a plucky sidekick into those of a seasoned, and at times haunted, veteran hero.

As an Inhuman whose Terrigenesis was activated, Toro possesses a range of pyrokinetic abilities that are virtually identical to those of the android Human Torch.

• Pyrokinesis: Toro can mentally generate and control fire. He can project streams, fireballs, or concussive blasts of intense heat and flame from any part of his body. He has demonstrated fine control, capable of creating small, precise flames or unleashing massive, city-block-leveling infernos.
• Flame On! (Plasma Form): Like his mentor, Toro can sheathe his entire body in a low-intensity plasma field. This aura of fire is hot enough to melt bullets on contact and vaporize most conventional materials, yet it does not burn his uniform or anything he wills it not to. This “flame on” state is his signature ability, making him a living inferno.
• Flight: By focusing his flames downward as a form of propulsion, Toro can achieve high-speed flight. His aerial maneuverability is exceptional, allowing him to keep pace with military aircraft and perform complex aerobatic feats.
• Thermal Manipulation: He can absorb heat from his environment, which can be used to either fuel his own powers or to extinguish fires by drawing the thermal energy into himself.
• Superhuman Durability (in Plasma Form): While his fiery aura protects him from external physical and energy attacks, his Inhuman physiology also grants him a higher degree of durability than an ordinary human even when not aflame. He is highly resistant to heat and burns.

• Oxygen Deprivation: Like any fire, Toro's plasma form requires oxygen to exist. In a vacuum or an environment without a sufficient oxygen supply, his flames will be extinguished, and he will be rendered powerless.
• Water/Fire Extinguishing Materials: Sufficient quantities of water, sand, or chemical fire retardants can temporarily douse his flames, forcing him to reignite.
• Emotional State: In his early years, his control over his powers was sometimes tied to his emotional state. Extreme anger or fear could cause his flames to flare out of control. As a veteran, he has largely mastered this.

Originally, Toro embodied the archetypal kid sidekick: eager, brave, and full of youthful optimism. He idolized the Human Torch and Captain America and threw himself into danger with a black-and-white view of justice. His modern-day resurrections have layered this personality with significant trauma and world-weariness. Having experienced death, brainwashing (at the hands of a brainwashed Bucky Barnes), and the discovery that his entire origin was a lie, the modern Toro is more cautious, introspective, and somber. He retains his core heroism and loyalty to his friends, but the naive enthusiasm of his youth has been replaced by the quiet determination of a soldier who has seen too much. He grapples with feelings of being a man out of time, a relic of a simpler era thrust into the moral complexities of the 21st century.

As Toro does not exist in the MCU, he has no depicted abilities, equipment, or personality within this continuity. Any analysis would be purely hypothetical.

Toro's closest bonds were forged in the crucible of World War II, and these relationships have defined his character for his entire existence.

• Jim Hammond (The Original Human Torch): This is the single most important relationship in Toro's life. Jim Hammond was more than a mentor; he was a father figure, a brother, and a best friend. He rescued Toro from a life of exploitation and gave him purpose. Their bond was one of absolute trust and mutual respect. Toro's grief over Hammond's various “deaths” and his joy at their reunions have been powerful emotional drivers in his modern stories, particularly in The Torch miniseries, which centered entirely on their profound connection.
• Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier): As fellow “kid sidekicks,” Toro and Bucky were the junior members of the Invaders and the heart of the Young Allies. They were brothers-in-arms, sharing a unique bond that few could understand. This relationship was tragically complicated when a brainwashed Winter Soldier was forced to assassinate Toro in the 1950s (a memory that haunted Bucky for years). Their reunion in the modern era was fraught with this dark history, but they ultimately reconciled, with Bucky becoming one of Toro's strongest advocates and teammates in the All-New Invaders.
• Captain America (Steve Rogers): Toro looked up to Captain America as the ultimate hero and the unquestioned leader of the Invaders. Steve, in turn, felt a deep sense of responsibility for the young heroes fighting alongside him, treating Toro and Bucky with a protective, mentoring attitude. Captain America represented the ideals that Toro fought for, and his respect for Rogers is unwavering.

Toro's primary antagonists are the same figures who plagued the Invaders and the Allied forces during World War II.

• Red Skull (Johann Shmidt): As Hitler's top agent of terror and Captain America's archenemy, the Red Skull was the ultimate villain for the Invaders. He represented the pure, nihilistic evil they fought against. The Skull orchestrated countless schemes against the team and was indirectly responsible for Toro's post-war “death” and the capture and brainwashing of Bucky Barnes.
• Baron Heinrich Zemo: A brilliant and sadistic Nazi scientist, the original Baron Zemo was a persistent thorn in the Invaders' side. He was responsible for the creation of advanced Axis weaponry and super-agents, and he was the one who ultimately trapped Bucky on the experimental drone plane that led to his apparent death and transformation into the Winter Soldier.
• Master Man: A Nazi attempt to replicate the Super-Soldier Serum, Master Man was a physically powerful Aryan ideal who frequently clashed with the entire Invaders team, including Toro. He served as a dark mirror to Captain America and a formidable physical threat.

• The Invaders: Toro was a founding member of Marvel's premier World War II super-team. Fighting alongside Captain America, Bucky, the Human Torch, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, he helped turn the tide of numerous battles against the Axis powers. He has served in multiple incarnations of the team, including the modern-day version featured in All-New Invaders.
• The Young Allies: During the war, Toro also co-founded the Young Allies, a team of teenaged adventurers (including Bucky and others) who fought saboteurs and spies on the home front. This was his “peer group,” where he could be a leader among equals.
• Kid Commandos: A subgroup of the Invaders led by Bucky Barnes, the Kid Commandos also included Toro and went on missions specifically suited for the younger, faster members of the team.

Toro's history is best understood through his involvement in several key, character-defining story arcs that span from the Golden Age to the present day.

This is not a single storyline but the entire foundational era of Toro's existence. In the pages of The Invaders (published in the 1970s but set in the 1940s), writer Roy Thomas chronicled the team's wartime exploits. Toro's arc was one of growth, from a somewhat naive “Flaming Kid” into a seasoned combat veteran. He participated in nearly every major Invaders mission, battling Nazi superhumans, foiling espionage plots, and fighting on the front lines. This period established his core relationships, defined his heroic ideals, and cemented his place as one of the most important heroes of the Golden Age. It is the bedrock upon which his entire character is built.

This 12-issue maxiseries by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross was pivotal for Toro's modern story. A Cosmic Cube incident plucks the original Invaders from a WWII battle in 1943 and drops them into the modern Marvel Universe, post-Civil War. The culture shock is immense, but for Toro, it's a personal nightmare. He learns of his own supposed death, the loss of Bucky, and the decades that have passed. He is captured by the villain D'Spayre, who feeds on his despair. It is during this event that Captain America and others begin to suspect that Toro's origins are more complex than previously thought, laying the explicit groundwork for the Inhuman retcon that would follow. The series forces Toro to confront his own mortality and irrelevance in a world that has moved on without him.

This eight-issue limited series is arguably the most important Toro story ever written. It directly follows his apparent death at the end of Avengers/Invaders. The series reveals that his body was recovered by the mad_thinker, who resurrects him for nefarious purposes. However, the plan goes awry, and a revived but amnesiac Toro is set loose. The story becomes a powerful and emotional quest as the now-sentient android Human Torch, Jim Hammond, sacrifices everything to find and restore his former partner. The climax sees Hammond locate Toro and restore his memories, fully revealing and confirming his Inhuman heritage. In a final, heroic act, Hammond sacrifices his own life force to stabilize Toro's powers and grant him a new, full life. The series is a beautiful tribute to their friendship and serves as the definitive reintroduction of Toro into the modern Marvel Universe.

In this series by James Robinson, Toro joins a new incarnation of the Invaders, brought together to face a Kree plot involving a device that can control gods. This time, his teammates include a redeemed Bucky Barnes (as the Winter Soldier), the original Human Torch (also resurrected), and Namor. This series showcases a more mature and confident Toro, now fully in control of his powers and comfortable with his identity as an Inhuman. He functions not as a sidekick, but as a full-fledged member of the team, standing as an equal to his legendary allies. His interactions with Bucky are particularly noteworthy, as they move past their dark shared history to rebuild their friendship as adult veterans.

While not as widely varied as more mainstream characters, Toro has had a few notable alternate versions.

• Earth-93060 (Ultraverse): During the Godwheel event, a version of Toro appeared, though his role was minor. This incarnation was largely faithful to his Golden Age roots.
• Heroes Reborn (Earth-616 Pocket Dimension): In the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards after the Onslaught crisis, a new version of Toro existed. This Thomas Raymond was a member of a new Invaders team led by Nick Fury. He was a young, hot-headed punk who discovered his powers and joined the fight against the Red Skull's World Party.
• Earth-X (Earth-9997): In this dystopian future, a version of Toro was among the many heroes and villains who fell under the telepathic control of the Skull. He was forced to serve as a member of the Skull's personal army, a tragic fate for the once-heroic figure. When the Skull was defeated, Toro and the others were freed.
• Adaptations: Outside of comics, Toro's presence is virtually non-existent. He has not appeared in any major animated series, feature films, or significant video game roles, making him a character known almost exclusively to the comic book readership.

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