Magik & Colossus #2: Piotr Pressure

When it comes to a team-up comic like Magik & Colossus, the narrative has to focus sharply on the characters and how they’re either different from or similar to each other.

Colossus has a tumultuous past both in and out of the various X-Men comics he’s appeared in. The character has been given so much trauma so often that it’s practically regularly scheduled programming when it comes to any of his mainline appearances. Unlike her much gentler older brother, Magik does not dwell on the kind of person her dark past could make her. Instead, she pushes forward despite every excuse to break down or freak out, and she refuses to let anyone other than herself choose the kind of person she can be.

All of this comes out in Ashley Allen’s writing. In an honest conversation between siblings, Magik refutes the pressure that Colossus places on his own shoulders. Instead, she shows him the holes in his own logic. But Colossus’ role as the stalwart metal giant of the X-Men is about more than just his powers. He’s rigid and stoic, only showing emotion when Magik herself is in danger.

Germán Peralta’s artwork is exceptional in this issue, especially in how it captures the characters and weaves fine details into big moments. During their train ride, while Magik is expressive with plenty of small movements throughout the panels, Colossus remains still like the steady metal giant he is. This also reinforces the writing, where Magik’s energetic personality is used as a way to show her being ready to move forward and take her self-worth into her own hands, while Colossus’ stoic facial expression and lack of movement show how his sense of self is tied to his past and what he sees as personal failures to stop the tragedies that happened in his life.