I believe that different artwork on a card doesn't change that it's still the same "card" for purposes of game text; that's the intended way that variants work in OblivAeon mode, for instance.
I agree. Otherwise people with the original Rook City Wraith and Young Legacy variants have an extra hero :)
That’s my understanding. Of course, anyone can play however they want. But let’s wait till we have an official ruling first
We kind of already do, via the Celestial Tribunal in the video game. If you're playing Freedom Five Wraith (original), you can't call Freedom Five Wraith (foil) as the Representative of Earth, although you can call any other Wraith.