COLOSSUS: PIOTR LEAVES HOME

COLOSSUS: PIOTR LEAVES HOME Piotr Rasputin's introduction in Giant-Size X-Men #1 is built around his family. On a Soviet collective farm, he transforms into metal to protect his younger sister from an oncoming tractor. His powers first appear in the middle of an ordinary working day, because someone he loves is in danger. That scene establishes the basic contrast in his design. In human form he's already a large young man. As Colossus, his whole body becomes armored, giving him the strength and durability to put himself between another person and a threat. His decision to join Xavier also involves leaving people who care about him. The family conversation gives the departure some weight. There's a home and a place in it that he's choosing to leave behind while he helps people elsewhere. The red-and-yellow costume leaves much of the metal visible. The segmented surface makes the transformation readable across his face, arms and legs. On the rescue team, Piotr's strength gives Cyclops a direct physical option alongside the ranged powers and flight. He's entering a situation much larger than the farm, with experienced fighters and unfamiliar personalities around him. His willingness to put himself in harm's way is already there when Xavier arrives. The unfamiliar part is trusting a new group to do the same for him.