Roberto da Costa is wealthy, popular, and good at soccer when his powers emerge. None of that protects him from racism.

Roberto da Costa is wealthy, popular, and good at soccer when his powers emerge. None of that protects him from racism. In Marvel Graphic Novel #4, he's attacked during a match, and the stress brings out his mutation. His body turns black with solar energy, and suddenly the people watching are frightened of him. Juliana doesn't abandon him. Then Pierce's people use her to get to him, and she is killed protecting him during the confrontation. That's Roberto's introduction. He's a kid who had plenty going for him, and within a very short time he's dealing with people treating him as a monster and the death of somebody who loved him. His confidence doesn't disappear when he joins the New Mutants. He still talks a big game and gets competitive. But the origin is worth remembering when he comes across as just the rich kid showing off. There was already a lot of hurt there before Xavier started training him.