The island ofPuerto Ricohas had a turbulent history. Initially conquered by Spain, it was handed over to the United States, and has had its fair share of hardships, ranging from poverty to debt and massive storms. Yet still, or perhaps because of this, the island’s residents and descendants have proven themselves resilient people.
The world of comic books has provided a number of superheroes that proudly proclaim the Borikén, the name Puerto Rico’s indigenous people called it, as their ancestry. While a few have gained mainstream success, several haveflown under the radar. That will be ameliorated today.
6Araña/Spider-Girl
Her Father Sought The Truth
Araña made her debut film appearance inthe critically pannedMadame Web. She deserved to appear in something better. In the Marvel comics, she is the last member of a secret organization called the Spider Society, which has lasted for over nine centuries. Her powers are similar to those of Spider-Man, including enhanced strength and flexibility, as well as the ability to climb walls. She has even been able to form an exoskeleton around her body.
Aña was born in Brooklyn to a Mexican mother and her Puerto Rican father, Gilberto, an investigative journalist. They then moved to Mexico, where they stayed until her mother was killed while her father investigated the crime lord Felix Jade. Suspecting Felix to have been involved, Gilberto returned to Brooklyn with Aña to protect her.
5Cecilia Reyes (X-Men)
From The Bronx
Cecilia Reyes is one of theX-Men. Her mutant power is the ability to generate energy fields around her as a shield, and she learns how to focus them around her fists as a weapon. She dedicated her life to serving others, becoming a doctor. A version of the character appeared in the20th Century FoxmovieThe New Mutants.
Reyes was born to Puerto Rican parents in the the Bronx, New York. The murder of her father in a drive-by shooting would fuel her dedication to make a difference in the world. She initially attempts to leave the X-Men, when she is fired from her job.
4White Tiger
Carrying On The Legacy
The original bearer of the White Tiger mantle was Hector Ayala, introduced into the Marvel Universe in 1975 by Bill Mantlo and George Pérez in theDeadly Hands of Kung Fucomic series. He obtains his powers from several amulets discarded by a former superhero team.
Multiple incarnationsof the hero have appeared throughout Marvel media since then. Ava Ayala, the sister of Hector Ayala, is now the most prominent incarnation of the character. She appears in theUltimate Spider-Mancartoon as a major ally to Spider-Man.
3Spider-Man
Anyone Can Wear The Mask
Miles Morales, having led two hit movies and appearing in three games from Insomniac, is as synonymous with the nameSpider-Manashis predecessor, Peter Parker. Miles can do everything Peter can and more, such as turning invisible and emitting a stun charge. In the originalUltimatecomics, Miles obtains his abilities from one of the same Oscorp spiders that gave Peter his powers, and takes on the mantle after his universe’s Peter Parker apparently dies.
Miles is a native of Brooklyn, born to an African-American father, NYPD officer Jefferson; and a Puerto Rican mother, Rio, who works as a nurse. While absent fromSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles’ mother is more prominently featured in its sequel,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, in which she scolds Miles for getting a B in Spanish.
2La Borinqueña
Her Powers Come From Her Heritage
La Borinqueñais the creation of independent artist Edgardo-Miranda Rodriguez. Marisol, a Columbia University student, participates in a study abroad program in Puerto Rico. There, the Goddess of the Caribbean’s indigenous people, the Taino, bestows upon her flight, enhanced strength, and ability to manipulate storms.
La Borinqueña is a symbol of Puerto Rican pride, with her costume emulating the flag of the island. She fights not villains, but societal issues impacting the island’s people. In 2018,she teamed upwith various DC superheroes in an anthology calledRicanstruction, created to help recovery efforts in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
1Groot
¡Yo Soy Groot!
Groot isthe alien treethat makes up part of the intergalactic heroes known as theGuardians of the Galaxy. He is a being of few words, mostly communicating with the phrase “I am Groot.”
How is an alien tree Puerto Rican? InGuardians of Infinity#3, a Puerto Rican grandmother recognizes Groot as the Ceiba, a species of tree that is said to house the spirits of the Taíno people of Puerto Rico. When she helps free Groot from the influence of a plant monster, he triumphantly shouts, “¡Yo soy Groot!,” channeling this heritage.
