Release: April 2026 | Writer: Ashley Allen | Artist: Germán Peralta | Colorist: Arthur Hesli | Letterer: Ariana Maher
As Magik was taken from Colossus last month and transported somewhere unknown. Where did she end up? And can Colossus save his sister once again?
*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!*
Put Your Dukes Up
Piotr comes home beaten, bloodied, and bruised. The Sokolov Boys are giving him a hard time again. His mother, ever so loving, cleans up his wounds and tries to ask him why he doesn't fight back. To which he responds in the most Colossus way, saying that he doesn't like to fight.
She tells him that fighting is inevitable. Even if it’s not physically punching something, people still have to fight—especially the Rasputins. It’s what makes them who they are.
Fast forward to now, and Illyana is putting a whooping onto some poor soul, and not just him—an endless army of fighters is being sent her way. Her kidnapper seems to be toying with her, but she welcomes each round with arms wide open.
The next competitor won’t be as easy, because standing in front of her is Count Kaos.
Colossus is doing everything he can while his sister fights, going all around Russia to find clues about where she is. This leads him to The Lucky Bear bar, where he’s trying to find a man named Lev. The bartender directs him to the back room, where people are playing a card game with several other individuals. Colossus thanks them, takes the rest of his drink in one gulp, and heads into the back room, armored up.
He barges in without saying a single word, and he means business—flinging everybody around the room and eventually taking Lev outside, asking where his sister is. Lev finally tells him that he’s looking for his boss and that he has no clue where she is. Colossus headbutts him, then leaves his body on the street.
Illyana lands a big punch on Kaos. Kaos, as described by Illyana, is a Russian mage she’s worked with in the past, but for some reason he seems not like himself. This is when it’s revealed that her kidnapper is actually controlling him.
She uses her powers to shock Kaos and snap him out of whatever control he was under.
Out come more bad guys. They try to defend themselves against a fury of punches that are breaking her magic defense. When all of a sudden…
Knight in Shining Armor
Colossus comes crashing in from the ceiling to the rescue!
Him coming from the ceiling allows them to use their magic without it being drained from them. As a portal to leave is being created, Colossus takes one of these creatures and tears its head and spine off in one yank. Vowing to do everything he can to keep Illyana safe going forward.
The portal is made by Kaoz and the heroes escape, Illyana saluting her kidnapper and smiling at him as he watches on in anger.
They arrive in the forest as Colossus reminds Illyana of her relationship with their mother that she may not remember. The closeness they had and the fact that her mother is the reason that Illyana even knows how to fight in general. Colossus is upset that Illyana forgets this part of her childhood. But she smiles at him and thanks him for describing it to her again.
When all of a sudden, Kaoz introduces them to who they've been looking for in these woods. His ex-girlriend...BABA YAGA.
Conclusion
Solid issue that’s about two issues away from the finale, and things are heating up for the Rasputins. I like the concept of her kidnapper throwing her into an endless tournament as a form of torture. Granted, he isn't very bright, seeing as he seemingly didn't plan whatsoever for Colossus coming to help her. Maybe it’s something he’s done on purpose—we’ll have to wait and see.
But that’s such a small thing to mention. This issue was well done and showed Colossus and Magik’s relationship with their mother, one that included lots of love. Seeing Illyana train to fight with her mother, as a result of wanting to have her protect herself, was beautiful to see. Colossus seems to be more dangerous and seems to know that he can’t hold back if he’s to get through this.
Very excited for what's to come!