Every Christmas we present favorite holiday moments with the mutants but this year is “extra” special.
Let’s go back to Uncanny X-Men #365 by Steven Seagle and Chris Bachalo with a Leinil Yu cover. In A Ghost of X-mas Past, Colossus is haunted by the ghost of his sister, Illyana on Christmas Eve.
In this 1999 issue the Russian mutant is in mourning after his baby sister dies from the Legacy Virus. The X-Man (and artist) is haunted by a ghost who inspires his paintings of an Ice Princess without a face. The spirit only says one word to Colossus:
“Remember”
The ghost turns out to be Illyana. A memory shard of the mutant sorceress is trapped in Limbo and she’s been given the opportunity to have a loved one perform a final task for her but she can only give them one word as a clue to what she wants to happen.
Colossus later finds a lost photo of his “little snowflake” Illyana wanted him to keep close to his heart. Former team member Marrow was also helping in the holiday haunting by writing words to his pictures as a way to thank him for his gift to her.
Colossus would later sacrifice himself in order for Beast’s cure to spread and save the mutant race.
Joss Whedon resurrected Colossus in Astonishing X-Men and Illyana was reborn again as Magik. The siblings were torn apart by the events (including demon and Phoenix possession) of Fear Itself and Avengers vs X-Men.
This Christmas themed X-Men flashback is haunting but this year has been one of new hope.
Earlier this year in Uncanny X-Men #600, Kitty Pryde helped reunite Colossus and Illyana and they two are together again in the new Extraordinary X-Men by Jeff Lemire and Humberto Ramos.
Peter and Illyana are helping Storm save mutants from the Terrigen Cloud, new and old enemies but at least the brother and sister made peace and are on the same side in time for the holiday.
Hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
By Editor