History:
Piotr Rasputin was born on the Ust-Ordynski Collective near Lake Baikal in Siberia. His mutant abilities emerged during adolescence, but the kind-hearted youngster was content simply to use his incredible strength and durability to aid his fellow farmers. Soon, however, the reality of a world on the brink of genetic war would intrude on the simple life to which he had grown accustomed.
Professor Charles Xavier -- telepathic, telekinetic founder of the masked, mutant X-Men -- contacted Piotr when the sentient island called Krakoa captured his original students. Reluctantly, Piotr agreed to help Xavier's other new recruits. After the battle was won, Piotr remained in the United States with the X-Men. Hated and feared for his strange and frightening powers, Colossus and his teammates stood in opposition to those who would use their genetic gifts to subjugate humanity.
Although half a world away, Piotr's family remained close to his heart and ever present in his thoughts. Despite his best efforts to keep them from danger, his actions often placed them in harm's way -- as when the woman known only as Miss Locke kidnapped many of the X-Men's loved ones to coerce the team into rescuing her employer, the eccentric assassin called Arcade. Among her hostages was Piotr's younger sister, Illyana. The X-Men freed their friends and relatives, and Illyana remained with her brother at Xavier's Westchester mansion. The X-Men proved to be dangerous company. Following one of the team's extra-dimensional adventures, Illyana was held captive for a number of years in the demon-filled realm known as Limbo. During that span, mere moments elapsed on Earth. As a consequence of her captivity, Illyana matured into the adolescent sorceress called Magik. After she reverted to her true age and lost her mystical abilities, Colossus thought it would be safer for her away from the X-Men. But her latent mutation made her a target, even back on the Siberian collective. Illyana's parents were slain by the Soul Skinner, who possessed the ability to strip his victims of their memories. The mad mutant hoped to evolve Illyana genetically, to the point where she would be able to access her powers. With the help of the X-Men, Piotr saved his sister. |
