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Colossus has one major weakness that has been targeted over the years — even once leading him to abandon the X-Men for Magneto’s Acylotes.
Despite nominally being one of the most physically imposing of the X-Men due to his natural stature and ability to turn his skin to steel, Colossus has always been one of the more soft-hearted X-Men. His commitment to his family has long defined him, and his drive to protect his loved ones has often blurred his decision-making — even leading him to make terrible decisions that affected plenty of mutant lives.
This was perhaps never more prominent than in the immediate aftermath of his sister Illyana’s original death — which resulted in Colossus abandoning the X-Men and joining forces with Magneto and his Acylotes at the onset of the “Fatal Attractions” crossover.
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After spending years as a teenager due to her time in Limbo, Inferno reverted Illyana Rasputin back to a younger age. Illyana eventually ended up back with the X-Men at their mansion in Westchester, where it was discovered that she’d developed the deadly Legacy Virus. His concern for Illyana darkened Colossus’ mood even further than it had been during those dark days, leading the previously heartfelt young man to become increasingly brooding and dour. Eventually, while he was away on a mission in Uncanny X-Men #303 by Scott Lobdell and Richard Bennett, Illyana’s health took one final turn and she passed away before Colossus made it back in time to be with her again.
Instead of lashing out or giving in to grief, Colossus instead retreated inward, ignoring the outreach of a heartbroken Xavier and Shadowcat — and attempted to “move on” by shutting himself off to his feelings. In Uncanny X-Men #304, during Illyana’s funeral, Colossus finally found his voice, however, and furiously berated Xavier for inviting him to join the X-Men and put him on the path he’s led — which had eventually seen the loss of his parents, his brother, and now his sister. While Xavier mournfully accepts this rage, they can’t reach a place of understanding before Magneto and his Acolytes arrive on the scene. Openly arguing against Xavier’s teachings, Magneto offers each and every mutant present sanctuary on Avalon among his ranks.
These words strike a chord with Colossus, and in his grief and anger, he strikes out at Bishop and prevents him from attacking Magneto any further. Deciding that perhaps his sister would still be alive if he’d joined Magneto from the onset, Colossus joins the Acolytes, to the horror of his fellow mutant heroes. Colossus remained by Magneto’s side for the rest of the event — even protecting Magneto’s body after he was left comatose by his fateful final fight with Xavier on Avalon. It would take years for Colossus to return to the X-Men, and even longer to fully earn back the trust of the mutants he betrayed in the process. This was one of the biggest betrayals Colossus had committed against his fellow X-Men — but not his first, nor his last.
While his original betrayal of the X-Men during their first encounter with Arcade in X-Men #124 by Chris Claremont and John Byrne was due to brainwashing, his latest — occurring just before his ascension to the Quiet Council on Krakoa — is a result of his villainous brother Mikhail forcing a man to “write” Colossus’ betrayal. Each time, it was his family who brought out the darkest side of Colossus, whether by his own intention or against his will. Each time, it does more damage to the X-Men than he ever could have expected. It’s a reminder of how poorly things can go for the X-Men as a whole when Colossus allows his family connections to determine his ultimate fate — and bring chaos upon the rest of his chosen friends and family.
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