Iconic X-Men hero Colossus just underwent one of his most dramatic upgrades of all time, with a new costume and a strength level that finally brings him to the same level as the Incredible Hulk.
Debuting in 1975, Colossus quickly became an essential part of X-Men lore, with his extended family giving the franchise both heroes (his sister Magik, aka Illyana Rasputina, and future clone Rasputin IV) and villains (his older brother Mikhail and wraithlike ancestor Grigory.)
Now, Colossus takes on a new form, transformed by a combination of magic and technology into one of the planet’s heaviest hitters.
New Colossus Punches Harder Than an Atomic Warhead
Marvel recently published Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1, from Joe Kelly, Jack Kelly and Kenny Ruiz. The issue revamps Marvel’s Mangaverse imprint, revealing that since its conclusion in 2002, the world has been overtaken by mystical energy, dividing the planet between those with natural magical skill and those harness magic via technology, aka technomancy.
Laura Kinney’s Weapon X-Tremis is one of the latter, with eldritch technology laced throughout her body. When she’s confronted by this world’s version of Magik, Laura reveals the ability to summon Colossus, whose soul has been bonded to an experimental mech known as a ‘Marvellier Leapordon.’
In this new form, Colossus is loyal to Laura Kinney, striking with a force far in excess of “a three-megaton atomic warhead.” He also wields a golden hammer and sickle, and can seemingly channel energy to Laura’s own technomancy weaponry.
Colossus’ New Design Is a Deep-Cut Marvel Reference
Colossus’ ‘Leapordon’ form appears to be a reference to the Leopardon, a mech used by Spider-Man in the 1978 Supaidāman TV series – a VERY loose adaptation of Spider-Man lore since inducted into Marvel’s multiversal lore.
The use of the iconic mech design ties into the theme of technomancy – tech used to channel or enhance magical energy, aka mana. Colossus isn’t just merged with the hyper-strong mech, but has been further enhanced by Laura’s X-Tremis tech, becoming a fusion of peerless science and magic. So far, it’s unclear how much of Colossus’ personality remains behind the robotic exterior.
A Totally New Take on Colossus vs Juggernaut
Laura is forced to summon Colossus when Illyana summons this world’s version of Juggernaut – a Yokai captured using magic and released at her discretion, named “Crimson Engine Infinite Battle March Yokai-God Cyttorak.” It’s made clear that Illyana has multiple Yokai at her disposal, though the Juggernaut is the only one fans see in the issue.
Web of Blood reveals that the demonic Yokai appeared on Earth due to an apocalyptic magical event, which also caused mass precognitive visions of a future disaster. Known as ‘The Day of Vision,’ this fated day is opposed by a variety of factions, each of which think their way is the only path to survival.
Laura and Illyana find themselves working towards the same end but with different philosophies – Laura is outraged that Illyana would ever work with the Yokai destroying the planet, while Illyana hasn’t forgiven Laura for abandoning their shared mentor Wong and his teachings, and grows even angrier once Laura reveals that she’s commanding a mech powered by her brother’s soul.
Marvel’s Mangaverse Is Back, And It’s Only Just Begun
The issue ends with what appears to be the prophesied ‘Day of the Vision’ coming to pass, with the story running through new one-shots including Iron Knight, Arcane Avengers and Ghostlocke before returning to Laura, Illyana and Miles Morales for Web of Destiny.
Along the way, fans are going to be treated to a bunch more wild character redesigns and upgrades like that just experienced by X-Men‘s Colossus.
Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
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X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- First Film
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X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
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X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
- Character(s)
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Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Video Game(s)
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X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- Comic Release Date
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213035,212968
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
