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Colossus is the physically strong, Russian born member of the X-Men whose mutant ability is to transform his body into "organic steel." Colossus first appeared in Giant Sized X-Men #1 in May 1975, and was created by Len Wein (writer) and David Cockrum (illustrator). Colossus' powers are said to be inspired by the DC Comics character Ferro Lad, who first appeared in Adventure Comics #346 in July 1966. Ferro Lad had the ability to transform into living iron.
The character, Colossus, was notably created in the 1970s during the height of Cold War tensions between the United Stated and the Soviet Union. Colossus is Russian and initially seems to epitomize the "Russian Superpower" since he is tall, strong, and virtually indestructible. But Colossus is actually one of the most gentle X-Men who prefers to avoid conflict whenever possible.
He is named after the one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, The Colossus of Rhodes, which was a bronze statue that was constructed in 290s or 280s B.C.E. The statue stood at approximately the same height as the Statue of Liberty.
Also, appropriately, the word "colossus" refers to anything that is gigantic or very powerful.
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Colossus in human form (left) and transformed (right)
Colossus of Rhodes
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