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UXM #231 offers a bizarre story in which Magik must team with Colossus in order to save the New Mutants from Baba Yaga. Strange in premise, the issue nonetheless offers deep insights into the Rasputin family and the love between them. #xmen @TalkingMagik 1/8
In a Shakespearean disguise plot, Illyana believes that Piotr is dead and that the being accompanying her is merely a shade in the form of her brother that she has conjured. Piotr plays along in order to preserve the X-Men’s secret that they are alive. 2/8
From there the issue offers a number of character-defining moments. We see Piotr’s lingering rage over Illyana’s transformation to Magik, something that is both sweet and somewhat cruel to Illyana. 3/8
Prior to that we also perceive the emotional toll that the X-Men’s ruse is taking on Piotr who is both family-oriented and largely incapable of deceit. The X-Men’s ongoing deep cover mission is killing him and his innocence as a character creates a sense of collateral damage. 4/8
This innocence is cultivated in the opening scene which portrays Piotr as simple-minded, self-destructive, and even a bit of a "himbo" (at least in Rogue’s eyes). 5/8
We also see Illyana’s anger and loneliness over her brother’s death, establishing all the key motivations that will drive her to create Inferno in the year ahead, whilst amplifying her individual tragedy - the key source of pathos for the New Mutants side of that crossover. 6/8
As the conflict ends, Illyana feels shame for being seen as the Darkchylde by Piotr, but all he sees is the hero she is for fighting it. Through his perception Illyana is able to disambiguate between her demon powers and what she does with them. 7/8
Thus Piotr becomes a cipher for Illyana, allowing her to see herself as more than a monster and to commit to endurance and aspiration. It’s a profound moment of self-recognition and determination, one that ably deepens the tragedy of what’s to come once Inferno begins. 8/8
