Summary

  • Colossus has undergone a significant transformation in the past year, notably the Earth-616 version, whose mental manipulation by his brother, forcing to act against his friends and team, finally came to a head.
  • Colossus's actions in Ultimate Invasion reveal a different side to his character, as he willingly participates in deceiving the global populace for the sake of "peace" and his own prosperity.
  • It will be challenging for Colossus to regain his traditional role as one of the X-franchise's moral comes, but he must seek redemption and forgive himself for his past actions.

It’s been a difficult year for X-Men. In both the standard Earth-616 timeline, and the Ultimates Universe, Piotr made a serious deviation from his usual, upstanding role. Now he’s gearing up to face some of the consequences, in both continuities.

Earth-616 Colossus has, for some time, been forced to operate as a puppet for his brother, Mikhail Rasputin, sewing discord among his team and even murdering on his behalf. Drastic measures were necessary to end that control, and now Piotr is left with the guilt of his actions while not under his own control – as well as what he had to do to regain it.

Colossus' role in Ultimate Invasion further proves just what he’s capable of, as he willingly plays his role in the Maker’s scheme and leads people into repeated violent conflicts for the sake of “peace,” offering a different look at a classically trustworthy character.

This Year Pushed Colossus To His Limits

X-Force #46 was written by Benjamin Percy, with art by Robert Gill, Guru e-FX, and Joe Caramagna. It was released in November, 2023.

This year, X-Force and Ultimate Invasion showed new, unpleasant dimensions of Colossus as a character, though each put the character in a radically different context. Under the influence of his power-hungry brother and the writings of the Chronicler, Earth-616 Colossus worked to tear down the X-Men and his X-Force team from the inside out. Mikhail forced Piotr to use his position as a trusted friend and leader to work against those closest to him, even going so far as to kill his girlfriend. The only way to break free of the influence was to kill Mikhail, something that Colossus regrettably undertook in X-Force #46.

Earth-616 Colossus had his hands forced; little of what happened was truly his fault or decision. Ultimate Invasion paints a significantly different portrait of the character. Piotr and his sister, Illyana, are part of the world's ruling elite. As an active member of the Ultimate villainous version of the Illuminati, Colossus plays a key role in maintaining their world order. The participating nations trade off the role of aggressor in various wars. At the time the plan is revealed, Colossus is playing the part. Even if he believes he’s acting for the greater good, somehow, there’s no getting around the knowledge that he’s sending people into an unending series of meaningless conflicts.

At Least One Piotr Has A Shot At Redemption

Colossus sits on the ground in the middle of a suspicious and armed X-Force.

Despite the truth of Mikhail’s influence coming to light, it will be difficult for Earth-616's Colossus’ friends and teammates to fully trust him again. He was out of control far longer than anyone realized, and that casts a shadow of doubt on his future actions. If Piotr seeks to return to the person he was before, he’ll need their – and to forgive himself for what happened. He’s a gentle man by nature, and his own guilt may be heavier than anything else. One thing is certain - this year forever changed Colossus, and he has more struggles ahead, as he seeks to redeem himself as one of the most steadfast X-Men.

X-Force #46 and Ultimate Invasion #1-4 are available now from Marvel Comics.