Born in Spain, Alejandro Montoya was a mutant whose power manifested while he was still a teenager, but he kept it hidden. Alejandro Montoya took the identity of the swashbuckling "El Águila."
In America, Montoya appeared as Águila as a champion for the poor of New York City, stopping criminals such as drug dealers and slum lords. It is probable that the money he confiscated from these criminals was redistributed to the poor. Since his activities were outside the law, Águila was wanted by the police and on several occasions, he found himself in conflict with and sometimes working with Power Man and Iron Fist.
Águila was supposedly depowered on M-Day event, but still was considered a 'Potential Recruit' for the Initiative. Águila is mentioned as serving on the board of directors of the Penance Corps. Fellow board of directors members include Black Tiger, Crime-Buster, Justin Alphonse Gamble, and Thunderbolt.
Depowered on M-Day, his mutant ability was to channel his stored bioelectricity through a conductive metal as a powerful electric blast. His skin had to be in contact with the metal to release it, usually via his sword.
He has trained in the art of swordsmanship and is by any standard a master swordsman.