Editing Toad (Marvel Comics) (section)

==Fictional character biography==
===Lackey===
[[File:Toadpic.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Toad was often berated and verbally abused by Magneto.]]
Mortimer Toynbee hails from [[York|York, England]], where he entered the world only to be promptly abandoned by his parents. His early years were marked by adversity as he found himself in the care of an orphanage, enduring relentless torment from other children due to his unconventional appearance, which bore the hallmarks of his mutant genetics. Despite his innate intelligence, Mortimer faced unjust assumptions about his mental capabilities, stemming from his extreme shyness and minor learning difficulties during his formative schooling years. These challenges led him to depart from formal education at a remarkably young age, opting to navigate the world on his own terms. However, the scars of his past experiences left him grappling with profound feelings of inferiority, a testament to the enduring impact of his tumultuous upbringing. Later, he was recruited into [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]]'s original [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood of Evil Mutants]], becoming Magneto's [[Sycophancy|sycophantic]] "[[toady]]." Toad believed that Magneto loved him, while Magneto considered this [[henchman]] little more than a human shield and a useful lackey. Toad also developed a crush on his teammate [[Scarlet Witch]], but she did not return his feelings as she was repulsed by his appearance, mannerisms, obsequiousness, and lack of hygiene.<ref name="X-M#4-7">''X-Men'' #4-7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

[[File:Toadpic2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Toad abandoning Magneto.]]
As a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Toad aided Magneto in repeated clashes with the [[X-Men]].<ref name="X-M#4-7"/> Magneto tried to use him to infiltrate the X-Men, but they recognized his power and unmasked him.<ref>''X-Men'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref> At one point, Magneto and Toad were captured by the alien [[Stranger (comics)|Stranger]] as part of his collection, encased in cocoons, and taken on a journey through space.<ref>''X-Men'' #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Magneto managed to escape by repairing a spaceship but left Toad behind.<ref>''X-Men'' #18. Marvel Comics.</ref> When Magneto was re-captured by the Stranger, with whom Professor Xavier had telepathically communicated, he took Toad with him during his second escape, but by then Toad's attitude towards his master had already begun to change.<ref>''Avengers'' #47-49. Marvel Comics.</ref> Toad aided Magneto against the X-Men once more,<ref>''X-Men'' #43-45. Marvel Comics.</ref> but realized that Magneto did not care at all for him, and as a result, Toad rebelled against Magneto and fled his lair with Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.<ref>''Avengers'' #53. Marvel Comics.</ref>

However, he was soon captured by [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]] and then freed by the X-Men.<ref>''X-Men'' #59-60. Marvel Comics.</ref> He was later captured with Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.<ref>''Avengers'' #75. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Solo career===
Sometime later, Toad began to study the Stranger's technology, becoming familiar with it. He used the Stranger's alien technology to menace the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].<ref>''Avengers'' #137-139. Marvel Comics.</ref> He even attempted to kill the [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]] in a castle outfitted with traps by [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]]. However, he instead turned the castle into an amusement park and became its caretaker.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #68. Marvel Comics.</ref> Toad was eventually ejected from the castle by [[Doctor Doom]], and he became suicidal, realizing that he was too dependent on others to work alone. He met and was befriended by [[Spider-Man]], and teamed with [[Steel Spider|Spider-Kid]] and [[Frog-Man]] as the superhero adventurer team, the Misfits.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #266. Marvel Comics.</ref> However, Toad suffered from depression.<ref>''X-Men Forever'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Eventually, Toad left the Misfits and returned to villainy. He sought repeatedly to abduct the Scarlet Witch but was thwarted by Quicksilver, the [[Vision (Marvel Comics)|Vision]] and the Scarlet Witch.<ref>''Vision and the Scarlet Witch'' (vol. 2) #6-7, 11</ref> Much later, he played a "game" with [[Gideon (comics)|Gideon]] and sought to enlist [[Proteus (Marvel Comics)|Proteus]] in a new Brotherhood.<ref>''The New Mutants'' Annual #7; ''The New Warriors'' Annual #1; ''Uncanny X-Men'' Annual #15; ''X-Factor'' Annual #6. Marvel Comics.</ref> He then formed his subversive version of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, along with [[Blob (comics)|Blob]], [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]] and [[Phantazia]]. He transformed Karl Lykos back into [[Sauron (comics)|Sauron]] and, with the Brotherhood, battled [[X-Force]].<ref>''X-Force'' #5-7. Marvel Comics.</ref> Toad's Brotherhood also battled [[X-Factor (comics)|X-Factor]]<ref>''X-Factor'' #82</ref> and then fought [[Darkhawk]], [[Sleepwalker (comics)|Sleepwalker]] and [[Portal (comics)|Portal]].<ref>''Darkhawk'' #19-20. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''X-Men: Forever''===
Years later, still struggling with depression, Toad was captured by [[Ship (comics)|Prosh]], along with [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]], [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]], [[Jean Grey]], and [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]] as part of a time-hopping plan to stop a global threat. Toad learned that his deformed body was the result of experimentation by Juggernaut's father, Kurt Marko, at [[Alamogordo, New Mexico]], which left Toad with an unstable genetic structure. The Stranger's equipment corrected his genetic flaws, resulting in an almost complete metamorphosis: Toad had a taller and slimmer appearance and had his powers augmented. Among the most notable changes was a prehensile tongue. Though his change improved his self-esteem, Toad continued to live life without direction. He joined several more incarnations of the Brotherhood of Mutants, none of which lasted for long.<ref>''X-Men: Forever'' #1-6 (2001). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Bloodsport tournament===
Not long after, Toad entered the Madripoor Bloodsport Tournament. In his first fight in the tournament, Toad wrapped his extremely long tongue around the villain known as [[Eel (comics)|Eel]], crushing his opponent's bones and seemingly killing him instantly. In the next fight, however, Toad battled Wolverine. His new abilities caught the X-Man off guard, and he managed to deal some damage. However, his overconfidence led to his defeat. Wolverine spared his life, not wanting to partake in the act of cold-blooded murder.<ref>''Wolverine'' (vol. 2) #167-168. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===New X-Men===
Toad made a brief reappearance on [[Genosha]] sometime after the island's annihilation, leading a team including [[Randall Darby|Paralyzer]] and [[Unus the Untouchable]] to try to rebuild the statue of Magneto as a monument to him.<ref>''New X-Men'' #132. Marvel Comics.</ref>

For reasons unknown, Toad eventually returned to Magneto's side during the [[Planet X (comics)|Planet X]] storyline; however, Toad was not as docile and subservient as he had been in the past, even openly questioning Magneto at times. Magneto, in turn, is tyrannical in his treatment of Toad, who had become his second-in-command. At that point, the long-presumed-dead Magneto's image had taken a [[Che Guevara]]-like notoriety, and Toad questioned whether Magneto may have been more powerful dead than alive. Nonetheless, Toad tries to defend his former master, only to be incapacitated by [[Fantomex]], who shoots his kneecaps out. Shortly thereafter, Magneto is killed by Wolverine, and Toad vanishes from the scene.<ref>''New X-Men'' #150. Marvel Comics.</ref>

It is later revealed that this was not the real Magneto, but a copycat named [[Xorn]]. It is unknown whether Toad was aware of this. It is revealed that the real Magneto is still alive. So far, Toad has made no known attempts to rejoin him. Unus' gang has come into conflict with Xavier and his allies, who have gained a foothold on Genoshan soil.

===Civil War===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2009}}
Toad was among the group of mutants who broke out of the 198 camps, with help from [[Caliban (comics)|Caliban]], [[Domino (comics)|Domino]], and [[Shatterstar]]. The group hid in what they believed was an abandoned nuclear bunker in the Nevada desert. While the X-Men and O*N*E battled outside the bunker, [[Johnny Dee (Marvel Comics)|Johnny Dee]] was instructed by General Lazer to cause chaos amongst the 198. The group of mutants discovered this as [[Outlaw (comics)|Outlaw]], being controlled by Johnny, pointed her gun at Domino. Domino's powers caused a misfire, giving Toad a chance to bring Outlaw down.

It was then revealed that the bunker was a blast-containment chamber for experimental weapons. As the auto-destruct sequence was initiated, Toad was trapped inside the chamber with the rest of the 198. The X-Men, teaming up with [[Bishop (Marvel Comics)|Bishop]], [[Iron Man]], and [[Carol Danvers|Ms. Marvel]], quickly found a way to rescue the trapped mutants and the 198 walked away unharmed.

===Dark Reign===
Toad is later seen rioting in San Francisco, angry about the fact that mutants have been forbidden to mate with each other to prevent new mutant births. Toad is faced by Cyclops and defeated.<ref>''Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia'' #1</ref> He is later seen being carried by [[Trance (comics)|Trance]] and [[Dragoness (comics)|Dragoness]], who are being pursued by H.A.M.M.E.R. agents.<ref>''X-Men: Legacy'' #226. Marvel Comics.</ref> After the battle is over, Toad is seen together with Dragoness and [[Avalanche (character)|Avalanche]] living on the X-Men's new [[Asteroid M|Utopia]] Homebase.<ref>''X-Men: Legacy'' Annual #1 (2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Second Coming===
After Cyclops deputizes the population of Utopia to help fight an invasion of [[Nimrod (comics)|Nimrod Sentinels]] from an unknown future, Toad instructs a group of mutants, including [[Sack (comics)|Sack]], to remain behind on the island, where they would be safe. In the middle of arguing with Sack, a Nimrod Sentinel fires on them, decapitating Sack and blowing off Toad's right index finger.<ref>''New Mutants'' (vol. 3) #14 (2010). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Regenesis===
After the fight between Cyclops and Wolverine, the X-Men were divided between Utopia and Westchester. Toad decided to go to Westchester with Wolverine who accepts him as the school's janitor.<ref>''X-Men: Regenesis'' #1 (2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

In the miniseries "Magneto: Not a Hero", [[Joseph (comics)|Joseph]] is resurrected under unknown circumstances and forms a new Brotherhood of Mutants with [[Astra (Marvel Comics)|Astra]] and deformed clones of [[Blob (Marvel Comics)|Blob]], [[Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)|Mastermind]], [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Quicksilver]], [[Scarlet Witch]], and Toad.<ref>''Magneto: Not a Hero'' #1-4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Secret Empire (2017 comic)|Secret Empire]]" storyline, Toad became a member of New Tian's strike force following Hydra taking over the United States. He gained a secondary mutation where he can light his tongue on fire.<ref name="X-Men: Blue #7">''X-Men: Blue'' #7. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Hunted (comics)|Hunted]]" storyline, Toad was among the animal-themed superhumans captured by [[Taskmaster (character)|Taskmaster]] and [[Black Ant (comics)|Black Ant]] for [[Kraven the Hunter]]'s Great Hunt sponsored by [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]]'s company Arcade Industries.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #17. Marvel Comics.</ref> After most of the animal-themed superheroes regrouped, Toad mentioned that [[Man-Bull]] was killed amidst the chaos caused by the Hunter-Bots.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #19. Marvel Comics.</ref> Toad later assisted the animal-themed characters in fighting the Hunter-Bots.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #20. Marvel Comics.</ref> When [[Darren Cross|Yellowjacket]] finds Black Ant hiding in the bush, Toad joins Yellowjacket, [[Human Fly (comics)|Human Fly]], [[Razorback (comics)|Razorback]], and [[White Rabbit (comics)|White Rabbit]] in preparing to take revenge on him only for Taskmaster to appear and make off with Black Ant.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' (vol. 5) #23. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In the first issue of "[[House of X]]", when [[Professor X]] and Magneto founded a mutant-exclusive island nation on [[Krakoa]]. Toad was sent on a special mission with [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]] and [[Sabretooth (character)|Sabretooth]] to steal information about the [[Orchis (comics)|Orchis]] Forge from [[Damage Control (comics)|Damage Control]]. Due to his hacking skills, they were successful and escaped, leaving Sabretooth behind to fight the [[Fantastic Four]].{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2022}}

During "X-Men: The Trial of Magneto" the Scarlet Witch coaxed Magneto to strangle her to death with Uru as a part of her plan to resurrect fallen mutants whose minds were not backed up by [[Cerebro]]. The resurrected Scarlet Witch implicated Toad for her death as the Uru used for the murder was later found in his home. Pleading guilty to the murder charge, possibly as a favor to Magneto, he stated that he had killed her for turning her back on the Brotherhood and Magneto. Earning him banishment to the Pit of Exile, he claimed that he did it all for Magneto. Although the Scarlet Witch tried to advocate on the Toad's behalf, her words could not save him from his fate.<ref name="X-Men: The Trial of Magneto #5">''X-Men: The Trial of Magneto'' #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

He was eventually freed by [[Cypher (Marvel Comics)|Cypher]] along with all the other Pit inmates on the condition that they leave Krakoa and hunt down the recently escaped Sabretooth so he can be punished for his crimes.<ref name="Sabretooth Vol 4 #5">''Sabretooth'' (vol. 4) #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Throughout "Sabretooth and the Exiles", Toad joins the other exiled mutants on a journey to find Sabretooth that leads to him joining them as they infiltrate Orchis' mutant prisons and experimentation centers. When they end up in Station Three, which was built inside the Astral Plane, Victor and Toad get into a fight about their mission to the Orchis Forge which led to him being put in the pit. When Toad tells him it was his fault, Victor attacks him, and they fight using the special powers they have in the Astral Plane. [[Oya (comics)|Oya]] cuts them off because she discovered, someone trapped inside some kind of organic prison. Sabretooth and Toad fled, assuming the person to be hostile, but later Oya approached everyone and showed them that the prisoner was a second Victor Creed.<ref name="Sabretooth & the Exiles #1-3">''Sabretooth & the Exiles'' #1-3. Marvel Comics.</ref> The team escapes with the freed Orchis prisoners on their boat which Maddison uses debris from the destroyed base to turn into a vessel big enough to contain them all. Sabretooth decides to enact one last plan for revenge against the Quiet Council by turning all the young mutant prisoners against Krakoa, he is interrupted when the team arrives at the final, underwater Orchis base and is hit by a tidal wave. During the commotion Sabretooth is again abducted by Orchis, telling his team to come looking for him before disappearing. The rest of the team, alongside Dr. Barrington and her creation, are trapped in the base with the kids who instinctively attack them out of fear that they are there to perform more experiments. After Nanny shuts down the brains of everyone except herself and Orphan-Maker, the team all wake up on the ship except Nanny and Orphan-Maker, Dr. Barrington and her creation, and Sabretooth who all left to pursue their own goals. [[Nanny and Orphan-Maker]] take all the mutant babies with them.<ref>''Sabretooth & the Exiles'' #4-5. Marvel Comics.</ref> In ''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' (vol. 7), Toad is killed by Sabretooth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Marvel Teases Wolverine's Adamantium Armor Suit |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-wolverine-adamantium-armor-suit-sabretooth-war/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en-US}}</ref>