Latino and Latina characters have become increasingly prominent in all facets of Marvel Comics. Not only have they taken up mantles as some of the most iconic heroes in the franchise, but many of them have become the face of award-winning films and popular MCU projects. Latino Marvel heroes come in the form of de facto Spider-People, fan-favorite mutants, and even LGBTQIA+ icons.
With so many Latino and Latina superheroes in the spotlight, let’s take some time to celebrate some of the coolest that Marvel has to offer!
Spider-Man/Miles Morales
Between the acclaimed PlayStation titles and the wildly popular animated films, it’s safe to say that Miles Morales has made a substantial name for himself as Spider-Man. He made his origins in the comics’ “Ultimate” universe, in which he has a brush with a radioactive spider similar to the one that granted Peter Parker his powers. After the original Spider-Man falls in battle, Miles takes his place. Using many of the same powers that Peter had (including some of his own original abilities), Miles proudly wears the mask as he becomes the latest friendly neighborhood wall-crawler.
Thanks to the character’s popularity, Miles is later integrated into main-line Marvel Comics continuity.
Ghost Rider/Robbie Reyes
Miles isn’t the only one who takes up the mantle of a pre-existing hero. Robbie Reyes is the inheritor of the “Ghost Rider” title as he inflicts flaming vengeance on wicked souls.
After becoming the sole caretaker of his little brother, Robbie is forced to participate in illegal street racing to support him. He begins his career in a muscle car, not knowing it was haunted by the spirit of his evil uncle. When a criminal gang kills Robbie over the car’s contents, Robbie’s uncle revives him as the newest Ghost Rider. He now tears down the highway with his hellfire fueled car to burn away wickedness in the world.
Miss America/America Chavez
As a little girl, America Chavez and her sister suffered from a rare degenerative genetic disorder. Her two mothers were both doctors who strove to find a cure for their children. After their research facility is revealed to have ulterior motives, America uses her newly manifested powers to punch a hole into another dimension and escape, though she is separated from her sister in the chaos.
As she grows up and her powers develop further, she becomes a powerful fighting force for justice. She is primarily seen fighting as part of the Young Avengers and Champions, but has certainly crossed paths with the likes of the Avengers. She is also one of the most prominent LGBTQIA+ characters in Marvel Comics history.
Spider-Man 2099 / Miguel O’Hara
In the distant future of 2099, geneticist Miguel O’Hara is inadvertently given spider-like powers after a lab accident. He follows in the footsteps of his long-deceased predecessor and becomes a new and futuristic Spider-Man, defending the people of Nueva York from oppressive corporations and their villainous affairs.
He frequently becomes mixed up in other timelines and realities, crossing paths with other Spider-People and aiding them in larger conflicts. In “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Miguel is head of the Spider-Society, an organization dedicated to maintaining order and stability throughout the multiverse.
Firebird / Bonita Juarez
After a chance encounter with a meteor, social worker Bonita Juarez is granted the ability to control fire. She quickly uses them to stop a local robbery, kicking off her superhero career as Firebird. She is closely associated with the West Coast Avengers and even sided with Captain America during the “Civil War” storyline.
Darwin/Armando Muñoz
Despite his genius-level intellect, Armando Muñoz was relentlessly bullied as a child. As if being born a mutant wasn’t enough for bigots to mistreat him, his unusual appearance caused by his mutation simply gave them more fuel. After his abilities fully manifested, he was taken in by Charles Xavier.
It could be said that Armando’s own abilities helped him overcome the strife he faced as a child. Armando has the uncanny ability to “evolve” his own body to survive any situation. Though the methods for his changes are typically out of his control, his potential for evolution is seemingly limitless. He can grow gills when underwater, become fireproof, increase his intelligence, and even change his body composition. In one infamous example of his mutant prowess, his abilities once teleported him away from a fight with the Hulk. As a mutant of unlimited possibility, Darwin is an invaluable member of the X-Men.
His portrayal in the 2011 film, “X-Men: First Class,” was a major point of controversy for “X-Men” fans. The character, portrayed by Edi Gathegi, was unceremoniously killed off in the film despite his ability to survive just about anything. Many fans criticized this moment, accusing the film of racism against the Black/Latino character.
Spider-Girl/Araña/Anya Corazon
As a high schooler, Anya Corazon becomes caught between a fight between two mystical factions, the Spider Society and the Sisterhood of the Wasp. When she is mortally wounded, Spider Society mage Miguel Legar tries to save her life. The subsequent ritual grants her spider-like powers. From then on, she uses her new abilities to defend the world from dark magic. She begins her career under the name “Araña” before inheriting the “Spider-Girl” name.
Ajak
Though she was originally created by cosmic gods known as Celestials (and often depicted as a man), Ajak’s history on Earth made her a part of Aztec and Incan mythology, linking her strongly to Latino culture. As the leader of the Eternals, she guides both her fellow cosmic beings using her healing abilities. She and the other Eternals were tasked with overseeing humanity’s development to aid in the emergence of a new Celestial, a process that would have destroyed the planet. After learning to love humanity over several millennia, however, she is the first among her cosmic colleagues who seeks to prevent their doom.
Power Man/Victor Alvarez
As the one of the many Marvel characters to use the “Power Man” name, Victor Alvarez uses the moniker to fight for justice. In his childhood, Victor is caught in an explosion that grants him the ability to manipulate chi to augment his strengths. This, combined with his martial arts training, helped him to become the new Power Man as he cleaned up the streets of Hell’s Kitchen alongside other Heroes for Hire. He also often finds himself at odds with his criminal father, Shades.
Sunspot/Roberto da Costa
Roberto da Costa once lived in the lap of luxury as the privileged and successful son of a Brazilian billionaire. Though he was a high school soccer star being prepared for greatness, his life changed forever after an assault from a racist member of a rival school caused his solar energy mutant abilities to manifest. His allegiances shift drastically throughout his career. Though he is best known as part of the X-Men or the X-Force, he’s had brief stints as part of the Hellfire Club.
Honorable mention: Namor
Though the infamous Sub-Mariner has never been explicitly Latino in the original comics, Namor’s most recent and prominent appearances in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Marvel Rivals” have portrayed him as such. Yet no matter how he’s illustrated, Marvel fans know him well as the proud and arrogant Atlantean king who champions his seafaring kingdom against the surface world.
If nothing else, his MCU and “Rivals” portrayals deserve mentions among iconic Latino Marvel heroes.
