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Magik (Illyana Nikolaievna Rasputina) (Russian language: Ильяна Николаевна Распутина) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, the character First appearance in the Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975). Illyana Rasputina is a member of a fictional species of humanity known as mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities, and has also possessed magical abilities as well, as a result of her interactions with the demonic supervillain Belasco.
Illyana Rasputina is the younger sister of the X-Men member Colossus and X-Men enemy Mikhail Rasputin. She became a powerful sorceress due to her time imprisoned in (and later ruling) Limbo. Her mutant power, which first manifested in that Limbo, is the ability to teleport via stepping discs utilizing that dimension's magic. Following her escape from Limbo, she became part of the New Mutants. She later joined the X-Men. In 2024, Marvel debuted an ongoing series starring Magik, written by Ashley Allen with art by Germán Peralta.
The character has been featured in various Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise. Anya Taylor-Joy portrayed Illyana Rasputina in the 2020 film The New Mutants.
In December 1983, the limited series Magik (Illyana and Storm) was launched, chronicling Illyana's years in Limbo, which is also her origin story. Magik #1 (December 1983) is her first cover appearance as young Illyana, her second full appearance and the first time she received the name Magik. Magik #2 (Jan. 1984) is her first cover appearance as an adult. Immediately following the end of the series, she was added to the cast of the New Mutants, The New Mutants #14 (April 1984) appearing regularly in that comic from The New Mutants #14 (April 1984), the first cover appearance of adult Magik in costume, to The New Mutants #77 (July 1989), in which she returns to her family in Russia after having reverted to childhood. As the younger sister of Colossus and a member of the New Mutants, she also sporadically appeared as a guest star in Uncanny X-Men.
In The Uncanny X-Men #303 (1993), she dies of the Legacy Virus. Other than flashbacks and alternate realities, she was absent from regular publication for most of the 1990s, though she does appear as a time-traveler in The New Mutants: Truth or Death #1-3 (1997). After being resurrected by Belasco, she returned to regular publication in 2007, in New X-Men #38-41 (2007), X-Infernus #1-4 (2009), X-Men: Hellbound #1-3 (2010) and New Mutants vol. 3 #1-29 (2009-2011). As a member of Cyclops' Extinction Team, she appears in The Uncanny X-Men vol. 2 #1-20 (2012), Avengers vs. X-Men #1-12 (2012), AVX: Versus #3 (2012), and AVX: Consequences #1-5 (2012). She appears in All-New X-Men, The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3, Extraordinary X-Men, and The New Mutants: Dead Souls (2018), as a regular character. She appears in Strange Academy #1 (2020) as a teacher in Doctor Strange's Sorcerer School.
At six years old, Illyana is abducted and brought to the United States by Arcade, who uses her and several other hostages to coerce the X-Men into opposing Doctor Doom. She is rescued and brought back to the X-Mansion.Claremont, Chris (w). The Uncanny X-Men #145-147. Marvel Comics.
Shortly thereafter, Illyana is called to the Otherplace dimension by Belasco, who seeks to bring forth the Elder Gods to rule Earth.Claremont, Chris (w). The Uncanny X-Men #160. Marvel Comics. She is raised there, frequently bullied and tormented by Belasco's underling S'ym.Simonson, Louise (w). The New Mutants #71. Marvel Comics. To free himself, Belasco needs to fill the Beatrix Medallion with five bloodstones. The bloodstones are created by corrupting Illyana's soul, with a new stone appearing as her corruption deepens. She is rescued and tutored in the practice of white magic by that dimension's version of Storm (who turned to magic when her mutant powers waned). Magik #1. Marvel Comics. Finding the use of magic abhorrent, Limbo's version of Kitty Pryde, known as Cat, kidnaps and trains Illyana in hand to hand and sword combat. Cat, along with Illyana, storms Belasco's citadel. They are overwhelmed by Belasco, who further transforms Cat into a feline demonic creature. Magik #2. Marvel Comics. With Illyana back under his control, Belasco instructs her in the art of black magic in the hopes that it will further corrupt her soul. However, Illyana plots Belasco's defeat and continues to resist the dark influence on her soul. Magik #3. Marvel Comics. Illyana forms a mystical bond between both Storm and Cat, who were also tutored by Belasco. Magik limited series, and The Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 (1985). Marvel Comics.
Belasco succeeds in creating three parts of Illyana's bloodstone pendant. Illyana creates the Soulsword and takes over Limbo as its new ruler. While wielding the Soulsword she manifests horns, a tail and fangs. She banishes Belasco from Limbo and claims S'ym as her servant. Magik #4. Marvel Comics. She then returns to Earth a decade older, although no time has passed on Earth since her kidnapping. She subsequently joins the New Mutants.
Magik misguides one of her teleportation discs through the space-time continuum and strands herself and Mirage in ancient Egypt. The New Mutants #32. Marvel Comics. There, Illyana meets Storm's ancestor Ashake, an Egyptian priestess. Together, they defeat an evil sorcerer, Heka-Nut, who sought an ancient mystical sword called the Sword of Bone using Magik's Soulsword. Ashake helps Illyana and Mirage return to the present, with Mirage's memory of the incident erased in the process. Mystic Arcanna #1. Marvel Comics.
A strange armor begins to appear on her body each time she wields the Soulsword. The armor appears only on one of her shoulders and arms at first, The New Mutants #18-20. Marvel Comics. but appears on more of her body each time that she wields the sword. The New Mutants #50, 66, 72 Illyana's skill as a sorceress grows, and she battles other beings with mystical powers such as Baba Yaga, The Uncanny X-Men #231 the Enchantress, The New Mutants Special Edition #1. Marvel Comics. Forge, The New Mutants #66. Marvel Comics. Spiral, The New Mutants #65 and Heka-Nut. A routine trip through Limbo goes awry, leaving the New Mutants stuck in Limbo. To open an escape route for her teammates, Illyana embraces her demonic nature and opens a colossal teleportation disc between Earth and Limbo, which N'astirh holds open, triggering an invasion of Earth by demons from Limbo. The New Mutants #70-71. Marvel Comics. Ashamed of herself, she flees into Limbo, and decides to end the demonic invasion by assuming rule of Limbo. However, her teammate Rahne Sinclair persuades her against this, and she instead gives up her demonic powers by creating a massive stepping disc that banishes the demons back to Limbo, then throws her Soulsword in after them to seal the portal shut. Afterwards, the New Mutants find a seven-year-old Illyana inside the husk of her eldritch armor. She still possesses the bloodstone locket. The New Mutants #73. Marvel Comics.
Because of its mystic bond with Shadowcat, the Soulsword passes on to Earth's Shadowcat in England. It embeds itself in a stone near Excalibur's lighthouse headquarters, waiting for Shadowcat to claim it and become its new wielder. Excalibur #11 (1989) After a conflict with the necromancer Gravemoss, the Soulsword is acquired by Amanda Sefton, Excalibur #83-85 (1994-1995) who becomes the second Magik. X-Men: Magik #1 (2000). Marvel Comics.
Illyana returns to Russia where she lives with her parents for some months until they are murdered by the Russian government to secure Illyana's abilities to defeat a psionic being known as the Soul Skinner. Illyana then returns to the X-Mansion to live with her brother and the other X-Men. X-Men vol. 2 #17-18. Marvel Comics.
Not long afterwards, Illyana contracts the Legacy Virus, and dies in the X-Mansion, despite all efforts to save her made by Professor X and Moira MacTaggert. The Uncanny X-Men #303. Marvel Comics.
Illyana's spirit returns to Colossus, who had recently returned to the United States with Shadowcat and Nightcrawler following the disbanding of Excalibur. The Uncanny X-Men #365. Marvel Comics. When investigating odd occurrences inside the Mansion, Colossus locates one of the stepping disks that Illyana had magically bound to the school. He is transported to a pocket world, which holds a memory imprint of Illyana. Illyana's memory convinces him to make one final sacrifice. When the cure for the Legacy Virus turned out to need the death of one mutant, he secretly gave his life so nobody else would have to die like Illyana did. The Uncanny X-Men #390. Marvel Comics. Colossus is later resurrected by an alien race. Astonishing X-Men #5 (2004). Marvel Comics.
Belasco eventually deposes Amanda Sefton and, after seeing Illyana reappear during "House of M" and realizing he carries a torch for her, creates a powerful spell to return her to him. The spell pulls forth the remaining essence of Illyana still held within Limbo's dimension, taking shape as Darkchilde, the semi-demonic version of Illyana corrupted and transformed by dark magic. Belasco is not satisfied with his creation, claiming that it is not the true Illyana due to lacking a soul, and banishes her to the outer parts of Limbo. New X-Men vol. 2 #41. Marvel Comics.
Illyana, now with her Darkchilde persona, discovers some of the teenage New X-Men being attacked by a horde of demons. After aiding the mutants against the demons, she uses a spell to immobilize them and steal a portion of Pixie's soul, in the hopes of creating both a bloodstone and a new Soulsword, as Illyana felt Pixie had the most innocent of souls present. Anole breaks free from Illyana's confinement and dispatches her. Pixie's soul extraction is partially successful however, creating one part of a bloodstone pendant and a soul dagger. Illyana attempts to complete the process and destroy those who wished to interfere, but Rockslide thwarts her, and causes Illyana's human memories of her friends and life among the X-Men to return to her. New X-Men vol. 2 #40. Marvel Comics.
Although only a part of Pixie's soul was taken, Pixie is now capable of performing magic, the hole in her soul having been filled with black magic. Since Belasco had sealed his castle from her own magic and powers, Illyana teaches Pixie a teleportation spell, with which the New X-Men attack and defeat Belasco.
Illyana succumbs to her Darkchilde persona and announces her desire to create several more bloodstones to become god-like in power. She is interrupted by the arrival of Colossus, investigating Illyana's apparent return to life. A pained Illyana rejects her brother's offers of help, and sends everyone back to Earth, before reclaiming Limbo's throne and informing S'ym and N'astirh, now once more her servants, that her next move is to reclaim her soul. Motivated by her friendship with Shadowcat and love for Colossus, Illyana tries to reclaim her soul through love and teleports to the Xavier Institute, only to find it destroyed and abandoned. X-Men: Divided We Stand #2 (2008). Marvel Comics.
While in Limbo, Illyana attacks various demons in her search for the Bloodstone amulet. Her activities are noticed by Mephisto, Blackheart, Satannish, Dormammu, and Hela. Belasco's daughter, Witchfire appears during the meeting and reveals she is the current owner of Illyana's Bloodstone amulet and vows to take her father's place as ruler of Limbo. Back at the X-Men's base in San Francisco, Pixie accidentally discovers Magik's Soulsword is hidden inside Nightcrawler. Sensing its presence, Illyana teleports in and reclaims her sword, transforming from the Darkchilde into her Magik persona. X-Infernus #1. Marvel Comics. She strikes Colossus when he enters the Danger Room and calls out to her, realizing that something is wrong when she does not feel any emotions, and returns to Limbo. Witchfire has conquered Limbo and Magik's armies during her absence. X-Infernus #2. Marvel Comics. Claiming everything that Belasco ever owned, Witchfire captures Magik, takes her bloodstone and adds it to the amulet.
The X-Men arrive at the castle; Nightcrawler finds Illyana chained to a pillar. At her direction, he stabs her with Pixie's soul dagger, re-releasing the Soulsword inside of her. Witchfire completes the set of Bloodstones via another portion of Pixie's soul and releases the Elder Gods. X-Infernus #3 Illyana and the other mutants hold back Witchfire and the Elder Gods. Using a combination of magic and the powers of the Soulsword and Souldagger, Illyana and Pixie remove one of Pixie's bloodstones. The Elder Gods are swept back to their dimension, along with Witchfire and the remaining bloodstones. Pixie's Souldagger merges with the bloodstone that was pried loose by Illyana. Saddened by the loss of her and Pixie's remaining bloodstones, Illyana teleports the mutants back to the X-Base, and they convince her to stay with them. X-Infernus #4. Marvel Comics.
However, the younger mutants are still very distrustful of her. Illyana seems to have undergone a personality change since her return from the future, becoming more detached emotionally in most cases, possibly due to the further loss of most of her soul. New Mutants vol. 3 #1. Marvel Comics.
Later, Cyclops sends Illyana to team up (unknowingly) with X-Force to locate Wolverine and teleport them to Alcatraz to rescue any mutants taken prisoner by Norman Osborn's forces. Along with Pixie, they teleport all the X-Men from San Francisco to their new home, Utopia. Dark Avengers #8. Marvel Comics.
When Hope Summers and Cable return to the present during the 2010 "" storyline, Bastion begins eliminating all mutant teleporters to trap the mutant population on Utopia. While trying to bring Hope and Cable to Utopia, Illyana is fired upon by one of the Purifiers with a supernatural weapon that opens a portal to Limbo that she cannot control; she is drawn into the portal by a cluster of demonic tentacles. New Mutants vol. 3 #12. Marvel Comics. She is eventually freed from her restraints by Pixie, and Illyana and her rescue team return to Earth. X-Men Second Coming - Revelations: Hellbound #3. Marvel Comics.
In a reversal of fortune, Pixie is kidnapped by Project Purgatory, and Magik returns to Limbo with the New Mutants to rescue her. New Mutants vol. 3 #17. Marvel Comics. While in Limbo, the New Mutants encounter the Inferno Babies - mutants who were taken as infants by the government and raised and trained in Limbo. New Mutants vol. 3 #18. Marvel Comics. This now-adult team attacks and overwhelms the New Mutants. While the rest of the team is captured, Magik escapes to Earth with Karma and Pixie. After hiding the Soulsword inside Karma, Magik teleports the rest of the X-Men to Portal Epsilon, Project Purgatory's gateway to Limbo, for what the X-Men believe to be a rescue mission. They arrive just as Limbo's Elder Gods breach the gateway to Earth. New Mutants vol. 3 #20. Marvel Comics. Karma releases Legion's mind with the Soulsword, freeing him to use his powers to destroy the Elder Gods and return the bloodstones belonging to Magik and Pixie, thus restoring their souls. New Mutants vol. 3 #21. Marvel Comics. Confronted by Cyclops afterward, Magik admits to putting the world in danger and manipulating the X-Men for the sake of a personal vendetta against the Elder Gods. Cyclops decides that she must be restrained. While she remains unrepentant, she accepts his decision. New Mutants vol. 3 #25. Marvel Comics.
Magik is placed in the X-Brig 2, a newly constructed, ultra-high security prison 500 ft. below sea level. She is controlled by devices that detect and prevent the use of teleportation and magic. During a visit Magik accepts the blame for her incarceration when Colossus tries to comfort her. Magik is temporarily released by Colossus and Kitty to get her help in defeating Juggernaut. The Uncanny X-Men #540. Marvel Comics.
Following the events of , Magik is selected to be a member of Cyclops' "Extinction Team." The Uncanny X-Men vol 2. #1. Marvel Comics. Despite this status, she remains a prisoner. She is only released from the X-Brig for missions, and while in the field, her suit contains lethal fail-safes that prevent her escape. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 2 #9. Marvel Comics.
In Avengers vs. X-Men, Illyana is chosen as one of the "Phoenix Five", a group of X-Men granted additional powers by the Phoenix Force. Avengers Vs. X-Men #6. Marvel Comics. After Ms. Marvel is defeated by Rogue, Magik appears and gags the Avenger before teleporting her into Limbo, trapping her and terrifying Rogue. X-Men Legacy #269. Marvel Comics. Following the defeat of Cyclops, Magik and the other former members of the Phoenix Five are reported to have fled. Avengers vs. X-Men #12. Marvel Comics. Magik joins Cyclops' team of X-Men at the New Xavier School at the old Weapon X facility. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 2 #1-3. Marvel Comics. The Phoenix apparently has damaged Magik's powers, like it apparently did to the other five; Illyana initially thinks her ability to channel increased energies from Limbo is a power upgrade, The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #1-2. Marvel Comics. but Dormammu pulls her into Limbo, and demonstrates that her newfound ability to effortlessly summon Limbo energies is destroying Limbo. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #5. Marvel Comics. Dormammu later pulls the entire Uncanny team into Limbo, intending to kill them in front of Magik before he kills her. They fight back and Illyana absorbs all of Limbo's mystic energy, causing it and its creatures to disappear. She sends the X-Men back to Earth, and travels back through time to become the protégé of a past version of Doctor Strange, explaining that she needs a greater understanding of magic, so as to better control her mutant powers. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #7. Marvel Comics.
It is eventually discovered that Magik along with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magneto, and Colossus were actually infected with nano-sentinels by Dark Beast, after the incident with the Phoenix Force, and that was the real cause for their broken powers or sudden upgrade. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #22. Marvel Comics. She has since regained total control over her powers and was able to recreate Limbo.
She later helps Doctor Strange defeat the Empirikul, a science cult focused on destroying magic in every dimension. #1. Marvel Comics.
Magik is employed by Karma to lead a new New Mutants team along with Wolfsbane, Rictor, Strong Guy, Prodigy, and Tabitha Smith. The New Mutants: Dead Souls #1. Marvel Comics.
When an eco-terrorist group attempted to use the Man-Thing as a weapon against humanity, the part of Ted Sallis within the creature attempted to stop the threat by summoning the demon lord Belasco, who he had previously made a deal with to gain the insight necessary to crack the super-soldier serum. Instead, this ritual summoned Illyana, who offered to release Sallis from the Man-Thing with the warning that this would leave Man-Thing a creature of instinct who could endanger the world. Sallis accepted that he had to remain in Man-Thing, but Illyana not only helped stop the group that had unleashed Man-Thing as a weapon, but later summoned Belasco so that Sallis could punish the demon for his role in Sallis's fall. X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing. Marvel Comics.
After this she went on many more missions with the New Mutants to bring more Mutants to Krakoa, The New Mutants Vol. 4 #8-12. Marvel Comics. and developed a fondness for teaching and mentoring, training the islands youth at the Akadamos Habitat, The New Mutants Vol. 4 #14. Marvel Comics. teaching Magic at Strange Academy, Strange Academy #1 and forming her own version of the Dark Riders. X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing #1. Marvel Comics.
On Earth, Rasputina demonstrates astral projection, sensing mystical presences, scrying, and casting very simple spells. She uses magic of a seemingly greater strength than she could previously use in Earth's dimension. Since absorbing Limbo and becoming Doctor Strange's disciple, her magic on Earth has been considerably stronger, such as when she used spells she learned from Doctor Strange to destroy advanced Sentinels. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #19. Marvel Comics.
The more Rasputina uses her magical power, the more mystical armor appears on her body, in addition to demonic features such as horns and hooves. The armor deflects or limits attacks, both physical and magical. Her armor also provides protection from the Transmode Virus. The armor also provides Rasputina with superhuman strength, which she displayed by being able to toss the giant demon S'ym off of her several feet.
Rasputina created the Soulsword during her imprisonment in Limbo. She magically caused her own life force energy to manifest before her. Once this happened she cast her hand into a pool of eldritch energy and imagined a weapon in her mind. When she withdrew her hand she was holding the Soulsword, created from her own soul. A simple looking blade upon its origin, it develops intricate designs and forms upon itself the more Illyana uses it, becoming more powerful with each use. The New Mutants #50. Marvel Comics.
Her Soulsword disrupts magical energies, constructs, and creatures. It also augments the power level of any magic user who holds it. The Soulsword generally has no physical effect, but disrupts even the most powerful magic as it passes through. Since Rasputina's resurrection, the Soulsword seems to affect psychic beings like Legion's personalities, New Mutants vol. 4 #3. Marvel Comics. whereas in the past the sword only affected magical creatures and spells. The only exception to this has been Kitty Pryde, who can still be cut by the Soulsword even when Pryde is using her phasing power to become intangible. The Uncanny X-Men #171. Marvel Comics. Rasputina can make her Soulsword appear and vanish at will. After Avengers vs. X-Men, she has used her Soulsword against physical beings, including a Sentinel. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #11. Marvel Comics.
Matt Lune of Comic Book Resources asserted, "Sometimes there are issues of What If that are so outrageous, they'd never be possible in the regular canon. Other stories, however, take already established plotlines and give them a little tweak, then show us the Butterfly Effect that this small change causes. What If Magik #1 definitely falls into the latter category, giving us a look at the life of Illyana Rasputina had she walked away from the New Mutants at a pivotal moment. ... There's so much to enjoy in this issue that it's a shame that it's out of continuity. Williams does an excellent job of using the somewhat reluctant pairing to enrich and deepen both central characters in a way that seems almost wasted in this one-off issue. If it weren't for the fact that this early time in Magik's life was already fully explored by Claremont, this would make a perfect retcon flashback that could set up a future relationship between Illyana and Strange. As it stands, this is an effective examination of the two characters in a way that manages to find new things to say about both of them." Jamie Lovett of ComicBook.com gave What If? Magik #1 a grade of 5 out of 5, saying, " What If? Magik packs a novel's worth of story into a single comic book. Leah Williams and Felipe Andrade use Magik's history to tell a story of trauma, abusive relationships, and the road to recovery and reclamation and it is exquisitely told. Williams knows exactly when to zoom into a moment with personal dialogue and when to zoom out to let the narration carry the reader. Andrade does a great job of building his layouts around the dialogue and narration. Both Williams writing and Andrade's artwork present strong characterizations of Magik and Doctor Strange. There are two small quibbles, however. Andrade's expressive faces sometimes verge on the cartoonish, which is at odds with the tone of the story. The issue also begs for one last splash page to really drive home just how far Illyanna has come by the end. Regardless, this is an expertly crafted single-issue tale." Alan Kistler of Polygon included What If Magik #1 in their "The greatest What If...? stories in Marvel history" list.
Dawn of X
After the formation of the mutant sovereign state of Krakoa, Magik is granted the rank of Captain in the Quiet Council. House of X (2019) #6. Marvel Comics. She joins Sunspot and the other New Mutants in travelling to Shi'ar space, aboard the Starjammers vessel, to locate Sunspot's best friend Cannonball. Magik and the rest of the New Mutants are arrested once the Starjammers arrive at a space station to rob a highly valued object, having been believed to be behind the attempted thievery. The New Mutants Vol. 4 #1. Marvel Comics. The New Mutants are quickly bailed out by Cannonball's wife, Smasher, under the order that they are to protect Deathbird in transit to the Shi'ar homeworld to instruct her niece in the way of rule. The New Mutants Vol. 4 #2. Marvel Comics. The team was attacked by the Death Commandos who Oracle had ordered to keep Xandra of the throne, Magik excitedly defeated several of them all knowing she wasn't human and therefore wasn't in violation of Krakoa's laws. With Deathbird's help they defeated them all and took control of their ship. Once they arrived on Chandilar they ambushed Oracle for trying to have them killed leading to a fight between the New Mutants and the Imperial Guard. Xandra put a stop to the fight by announcing that Oracle and Deathbird will both be her mentors and the New Mutants left back to Krakoa. Sunspot staying behind to spend more time with Cannonball. The New Mutants Vol. 4 #3-7. Marvel Comics.
"X of Swords"
In the 2020 "X of Swords" storyline, Magik is one of nine Krakoan Mutants chosen by Saturnyne to fight against Krakoa's sister island Arakko in a tournament in Otherworld. She prepares by training Cypher in swordfighting. New Mutants (2019) #13. Marvel Comics. In the tournament she is twice pitted against Pogg-Ur-Pogg. The first time is an arm wrestling match in which he easily beats her due to his Hulking strength. Wolverine (2020) #7. Marvel Comics. In their second fight, she outsmarts him by realizing "Pogg" means "sword" in Arakkii, and allowing him to swallow her so that she can pull the actual Pogg-Ur-Pogg, a tiny Goblin, out of his armor. X-Force (2019) #14. Marvel Comics.
The Labors of Magik
Magik decides she does not want to balance her teaching jobs and being a captain of Krakoa while also being queen of Limbo. Wanting to transcend her traumatic past, she decides to distance herself from Limbo. Needing a new ruler for the demonic dimension, Magik (over the objections of her fellow New Mutants) offers the role to Madelyne Pryor based on her past connection to Limbo. And because, like Magik, she too has survived painfully traumatic experiences and is still a damaged soul. Illyana declares anyone normal and "untouched by darkness" to be ill-suited to rule Limbo. Due to their objections, Illyana offered to take Rahne and Dani with her to witness the handover of power. However, they were invaded by an army of demons led by S'ym, who wanted to take Limbo for himself and had his own weapon which was able to disarm Magik's soulsword. The four women were forced to flee back to Krakoa but Magik's portal failed and they found themselves stranded in a different part of Limbo. New Mutants (2019) #25. Marvel Comics. Magik found she could not teleport out of Limbo or summon her Soulsword and concluded S'ym must have destroyed it. Due to Limbo's temporal nature, they discovered an older version of herself living in a castle and using Warlock in place of her Soulsword. She revealed to them that she had been trapped in Limbo for many years fighting Technarchy-infected Demons and she and Warlock were the last two Mutants alive. She got a message from the demons offering her safe passage home for herself and her friends on the condition that she leaves her weaker older self. The two Magik's laugh in the demons face. The next day, the whole horde of demons comes in giving the younger Illyana one more chance to accept their offer. Instead, the older Illyana made her own offer - a one on one, winner takes all fight with their leader S'ym. To everyone's shock he agrees. He seems to get the upper hand but immediately after he stabs her, she reveals she is bonded to Warlock and used the stab to remove the techno-organic virus from S'ym and his allies. After watching her defeat S'ym once and for all, the team went further into Limbo, New Mutants (2019) #26. Marvel Comics. finding themselves in a fairytale world based on Alice in Wonderland. They were ambushed by guards of the Red King (Belasco) and Magik was separated from the rest of the group. She was woken up by her younger self who was still Belasco's apprentice. She told her where her friends were being held and performed a spell to summon someone who could help, bringing Colossus to them from Krakoa, much to the older Illyana's dismay. Arriving at the Red King's castle where the others were being held, Magik took great pleasure in defeating a weaker version of Belasco. In turn, this inspired the younger Illyana to undo her spell, turning the fairytale world back into Belasco's castle. Illyana said goodbye to her younger self who was happy to know she would eventually become strong enough to escape and once again the group set forth further into Limbo. New Mutants (2019) #27. Marvel Comics. After months of waiting in a cave where she continued training Madelyne, the group stages an assault on the castle hoping to take Limbo back from S'ym. While initially successful, once they get inside the wall they realize S'ym is being helped by another version of Magik created by Limbo because the original spent to much time on Earth and neglected her duties. Magik allows her doppelganger to think she has the upper hand so Madelyne can defeat her while she is distracted. This causes the two to merge together making Illyana once again powerful enough to send them home. Madelyne to finally becoming the new Queen of Limbo. New Mutants (2019) #28. Marvel Comics.
Blood Hunt
During the "Blood Hunt" storyline, Magik saves a Siberian village from a group of vampires led by a vampire version of Ilya Muromets. X-Men: Blood Hunt - Magik #1. Marvel Comics.
Name
Due to East Slavic naming customs, the surname "Rasputin" becomes "Rasputina" for a woman. The comics have gone back and forth with the spelling, much like with Natasha Romanoff / Romanova, but, as of 2025, her solo book uses the spelling "Rasputina."
Powers and abilities
Teleportation
Illyana Rasputina possesses the mutant ability to Teleportation herself and others through time and space from one location to another. She initially did this by summoning what she calls "stepping discs," which were part of a dimension known as Otherplace. When she calls for a stepping disc she has to use Limbo as a midway point before she can teleport to an alternate location. Rasputina has succeeded in teleporting herself across continents, from one continent to another, and even interplanetary and intergalactic distances on occasion. The New Mutants #68-70. Marvel Comics. Unlike most teleporters in the Marvel Universe, she can teleport through time as well as space. She has teleported moments, days or centuries into the past or future. The New Mutants #49. Marvel Comics. After Rasputina absorbed all of Limbo, the stepping discs ceased to exist; now when she teleports, hellish images of ghosts, dragons, or other supernatural creatures appear. The Uncanny X-Men vol. 3 #8. Marvel Comics.
Sorcery
Illyana Rasputina is the sorceress supreme of her Limbo dimension. In Limbo, she is able to cast any magic spell that Belasco could, having had access to his store of sorcerous knowledge. Her sorcery is a unique mix of black magic and white magic. Belasco taught her Black magic, while she learned white magic from Ororo Munroe.
Other abilities
Furthermore, Illyana Rasputina displays formidable psionic shields, which block anyone from reading her mind, even such powerful as Professor X, The New Mutants #14 and 50. Marvel Comics. the Shadow King, The New Mutants #34. Marvel Comics. and Rachel Summers. The Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 (1985). Marvel Comics. Since her revival, Rasputina is able to lower her psionic shields. New Mutants vol. 3 #9 (2010). Marvel Comics. Due to Belasco creating the magical bloodstones with their souls, Rasputina has a psychic bond with X-Man Shadowcat. Because of this, a similar connection could be considered between Rasputina and Storm.
Reception
Critical response
Alex Schlesinger of Screen Rant said that Illyana Rasputina has "not only seen a meteoric rise to fame over the past decade, but also has the best long-term character arc of any hero in Marvel Comics," writing, "Magik's story powerfully shows that trauma is not necessary for growth or empowerment, but one can also not undo the trauma of their past. Instead, the path forward is to reconcile your past with your present and gain strength from the freedom you have desperately fought for. Magik's story of heroic redemption, escape from abuse, and acceptance of one's identity has given this X-Men fan-favorite the best character arc in Marvel Comics." Deirdre Kaye of Scary Mommy called Illyana Rasputina a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character. Sara Century of Syfy referred to Illyana Rasputina as one of the X-Men's most "surprisingly popular characters," saying that Rasputina is a "brave, dynamic character whose hope was crushed out of her by a much older man when she was only a child. The trauma she underwent is extreme, even by X-Men standards. Though she finds her ability to hope has been crushed, Illyana's saving grace is that she does everything in her power to keep her friends safe from harm. No longer trusting herself, she surrounds herself with good people and puts her faith in them, instead. For anyone who has been made to feel like a lesser person for the abuse they've undergone, Illyana is a surprisingly poignant character. Her continuous struggle against her evil impulses might not always work out to everyone's advantage, but the fact that she continues to try even when all hope seems to be lost is still inspirational." David Harth of Comic Book Resources stated, "She looks great, with her anime-inspired costume and giant swords making her a memorable visual. The magic side of Marvel is pretty much just her, Doctor Strange, and Scarlet Witch, and she's a more fun character than either of them. Magik has got it all: she's powerful, entertaining, looks cool, and can handle herself in battles against supervillains, demons, and dark gods."
Popularity and impact
Kofi Outlaw of ComicBook.com stated, "The character has been gaining more and more mainstream appeal in recent years – and even though the New Mutants movie adaptation became an infamous quagmire, the meteoric rise of actress Anya Taylor-Joy (who played Magik in the film) has helped make the character famous on a mainstream stage." Drew Swanson of Game Rant asserted that the tragic backstory of Illyana Rasputina in Marvel's Midnight Suns turned her into a "standout character" who would become a "fan-favorite addition" to Insomniac Games' X-Men games. Multiple fans have Illyana Rasputina through time. In 2022, American influencer Olivia Pierson cosplayed as Illyana Rasputina for Halloween alongside Kim Kardashian as Mystique and Natalie Halcro as Selene.
Literary reception
Volumes
X-Men: Return of Magik - 2008
According to Marvel Comics, X-Men: Return of Magik #1 sold out in September 2008. According to Diamond Comic Distributors, X-Men: Return of Magik #1 was the 128th best selling comic book in September 2008.
What If? Magik - 2018
According to Diamond Comic Distributors, What If Magik #1 was the 115th best selling comic book in October 2018.
Other characters named Magik
There have been other characters who have called themselves Magik:
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina appears in the Age of Apocalypse timeline. After Apocalypse's attacks on Russia, her friends and family believed that Illyana had died when in fact she was taken to the slave camp known as the Core located in Seattle, which provides energy for Apocalypse's empire. Colossus, Shadowcat and Generation NeXt rescue her, at the cost of the lives of every single member of Generation NeXt. Rasputina then helps Bishop go back in time to prevent the Age of Apocalypse from occurring in the mainstream Earth-616 timeline. X-Men: Omega In the 2000 Blink limited series, it is revealed via flashback that Sugar Man was at one point the abusive jailer in charge of cellmates Rasputina and Blink (before she was rescued as a young girl by Weapon-X and Sabretooth) in a prison facility. Blink #1-4 (2000)
Excalibur
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina appears in Excalibur's "Cross-Time Caper" storyline. the team encounters a childlike version of Rasputina, clothed in the regalia of Doctor Strange, who runs an organized crime cartel in partnership with her friend Shadowcat. When Alistaire Stuart and a near comatose Rachel Summers are threatened by the authorities, Rasputina grants them sanctuary; however, she merely intends to use her guests in a bid for dominance over the world. When the authorities once more attempt to search Illyana's apartment, an altercation occurs and she is shot dead but merely resurrects into her fully demonic form. That world's Captain Britain and Betsy Braddock arrive on the scene to help stop Rasputina. Psylocke psychically restores Rachel Summers, who performs an exorcism on Rasputina and restores her to her human state. Excalibur #23
Exiles
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina appears from Earth-4210. She is also a member of The Exiles. Rasputina replaces Blink when the Timebroker sends her home. She is led to believe that had she not become an Exile, she would murder her family. This universe's Rasputina is much more temperamental and ruthless than the Earth-616 Magik and clashes with the team from the beginning. Shortly after the Timebroker returns Blink to the team, he decrees that half the members of the combined Exiles and Weapon X group have to die. Fearing for her life, Rasputina tries to join King Hyperion and tells him of the mission Exiles and Weapon X were given. To corroborate her claims, Hyperion snaps Rasputina's neck to see if a replacement Exile is sent.
House of M
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina appears in the "House of M" storyline. This is a temporary recreation of Earth-616 by the Scarlet Witch in which mutants are dominant on Earth. Rasputina is a member of a S.H.I.E.L.D. squadron of young mutants called the Hellions. Like most of the other Hellions, she eventually joins the side of the New Mutants, a team being groomed as future leaders, in fighting the establishment of the House of M in Japan. This version of Rasputina teleports to Limbo before the Scarlet Witch restores reality to its former state. New X-Men vol. 2 #19. Marvel Comics. This results in Belasco's resurrection of Illyana in Earth-616. In this reality, she can speak Japanese.
Shattershot
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina appears in the "Shattershot" crossover. A reality was shown in which Rasputina was regressed in the same way as in Earth-616 but never died from the Legacy Virus. She grows up to master her mutant and mystical powers, calls herself Darkchild and joins X-Force alongside Sunspot and Cannonball. X-Force Annual #1
Other
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputian appears in another reality in which she is an adult, her son is trapped in an incorporeal form. She makes a deal with Mephisto to provide him with a body, at the cost of all mutants' lives, but her son ultimately rejects the offer. X-Men Unlimited #37. Marvel Comics.
Ultimate Universe
An alternate version of Illyana Rasputina from Earth-6160 appears in the Ultimate Universe imprint. This version is a member of the Maker's council and the leader of the Eurasian Republic alongside Piotr Rasputin and Arkady Rossovich. Ultimate Invasion #2. Marvel Comics.
What If?
In other media
Television
Film
Illyana Rasputin / Magik appears in The New Mutants, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy as a young adult and Colbi Gannett as a child. This version was sold into child slavery, is at odds with terrifying creatures called the Smiling Men, and is accompanied by Lockheed.
Video games
Merchandise
In 2024, Hasbro released an Illyana Rasputina / Magik action figure as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line.
Collected editions
(144 pages) Magik #1-4 April 2008
External links
Categories: Characters Created By Dave Cockrum, Characters Created By Len Wein, Comics Characters Introduced In 1975, Cultural Depictions Of Grigori Rasputin, Fictional Characters Who Can Manipulate Time, Fictional Characters With Anti-magic Or Power Negation Abilities, Fictional Characters With Dimensional Travel Abilities, Fictional Characters Who Use Magic, Fictional Soviet People, Fictional Swordfighters In Comics, Marvel Comics Characters Who Can Teleport, Marvel Comics Characters Who Use Magic, Marvel Comics Demons, Marvel Comics Female Superheroes, Marvel Comics Mutants, New Mutants, Romani Comics Characters, Russian Superheroes, Time Travelers, X-men Members, X-men Supporting Characters
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