Origin

Manuel Eloganto began his career as a real matador who liked easy fights. Skilled in his arts, he still resorted to drugging the bulls before his fights to make it easier. However, he became cruel toward the bulls which made people despise him. During one of his performances a riot broke out and a non-drugged bull entered the arena goring him.

Manuel was humiliated and disappeared from sight till he emerged in New York using his skills to rob banks and distract the guards. This brought him to the attention of Daredevil who fought him but his radar sense was scrambled through the waving of his cape and he managed to escape. He was of course captured by Daredevil soon after.

Creation

The Matador was created by Stan Lee, and designed by Wally Wood, in 1964, and he first appeared in Daredevil # 5, in a story titled "The Mysterious Masked Matador!"

Major Story Arcs

Emissaries of Evil

The Matador would team with other people including Electro and his Emissaries of Evil. Electro recruited some of Daredevil's deadliest foes, which included the Matador, Stilt Man, Leap Frog and Gladiator. Electro felt that the man without fear would be no match for this group. Daredevil discovered Electro recruiting the Matador in an alleyway and engaged his two foes. Daredevil was struck by Electro while he was distracted with Eloganto. The Matador wanted to kill him while he was down but Electro felt it would spoil their revenge and that it was too easy. Daredevil would recover and decided to lure out his enemies by keep showing himself in public. Daredevil started at the docks and caught the attention of the Matador. The Matador was outclassed and outmatched during the fight. Eloganto was tossed into the water when he tried to stab Daredevil with his sword. The Matador escaped from Daredevil and swam away. Eloganto would regroup with the Emissaries of Evil's other members and attack Daredevil inside an electric power plant. The Matador tried to wrap his cloak around Daredevil's neck there, but he was tossed into Gladiator. The Matador thought he had caught Daredevil with his cloak and began to hit his blinded opponent with a flurry of punches. However, Daredevil appears next to Eloganto as he unveiled Leap Frog under the cloak and punched the Matador out. The Matador and the other Emissary members were eventually defeated and placed into police custody.

The Matador would offer an assignment for one of Daredevil's foes named Man-Bull. Man-Bull escaped from court and would meet the Matador at the docks in Sheepshead Bay. The Matador offers to pay enough money for Man-Bull to leave the country if he can steal the Golden Bull of China inside a temple in Chinatown. Man-Bull raids the temple but comes into conflict with Daredevil. Man-Bull destroys the Golden Bull during the fight but Daredevil manages to talk some sense into Taurens and he walks away. The Matador and Man-Bull meet back at the docks and the two have words. Man-Bull tells Matador that he can think for himself and charges. The two villains break through the warehouse wall and fall into the ocean.

Eloganto seemed to give up his life of crime and went to live with his sister in Los Angeles to help take care of her kids. He was targeted by Scourge and was paid a visit at his sister's run downed apartment. Eloganto told the Scourge that he served his debt to society and that he has been clean for years. Eloganto wanted the Scourge to send the children away if he was going to kill him because this was something the kids should not see. Scourge could not pull the trigger and left the apartment after seeing Eloganto reformed and helping his sister.

The Ringmaster would use Eloganto as a pawn to test out a new technology he developed called ultimate false memory syndrome. The entire scheme was tested on Daredevil and the Ringmaster hypnotized Eloganto to believe he was a mental therapist named Arnold Quaid.

Matador would be seen having some drinks at the infamous Bar with No Name as he hangs out with fellow bad guys. Matador and Stilt Man would get in a little argument and words are exchanged after he is insulted about his costume. Matador threatens Stilt Man with his bullwhip but the bartender tells them to behave or take it outside. Matador keeps it cool and walks away when the bartender shows him his VBC stick- villain be cool stick.

Abilities

Matador possesses no actual powers but is extremely agile and quick. Highly skilled swordsman and formidable in hand-to-hand combat.

Weapons & Paraphernalia

He employs a cape and sword which he uses for both offense and defense. The Matador has also been seen carrying a bullwhip.