Sunspot, aka Roberto “Bobby” da Costa, stands out not just for being hot, rich, and single, but also as the first prominent Latino character in a core role on a televised X-Men team. Despite the franchise’s reputation for diversity, it took until the premiere of X-Men ’97 in 2024 for a Latinx character to be fully integrated into the main ensemble, a significant milestone after 30 years.
While Roberto da Costa and Amara Aquilla (Magma) appeared in X-Men Evolution, they were part of a subgroup, the New Mutants, with limited impact on the overall narrative.
X-Men ’97 marks a shift, offering Sunspot a meaningful storyline and character development previously unseen. Voiced by Gui Agustini, a mixed-race Brazilian like the character, Sunspot’s portrayal resonates with audiences, particularly those longing for authentic representation.
X-Men ’97’s resonance lies in its ability to reflect America’s diversity, with potential for further inclusion, such as the introduction of Dr. Cecilia Reyes, a Latina character, teased in episode eight. As the series progresses, it serves as a beacon for accurate representation in a country of varied races, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
