#Nikolai Krylenko

[merrymarvelite]

Cover of the Day: Iron Man #109 (April, 1978) Art by John Byrne, Terry Austin, and Irv Watanabe

[nitpickrider]

Somebody in the Soviet government ROYALLY screwed something up.

[daydreamerdrew]

Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions (1982) #3

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of Iron Man #6

IRON MAN #6

“STARK INSURGENT” PROLOGUE! The kickoff of an earth-shattering arc and a perfect jumping-on point! Doctor Doom is Emperor of the entire planet! And everyone is… happy about it?! Governments and populations all over kowtow to the Sorcerer Supreme, Emperor Doom, savior of the world. Even the Avengers cannot find the evil in his schemes — not yet, anyway. But Tony Stark isn’t built to sit back and wait. Equipped with new, deadly armor, Iron Man will take the fight to Doom’s door — alongside some unlikely allies.

Spencer Ackerman and Julius Ohta turn legacy on its head for a story that will shatter Iron Man’s status quo. Don’t miss history in the making! Iron Man #6 LEGACY #676

Written by: Spencer Ackerman Art by: Julius Ohta, Alex Sinclair Cover by: Yasmine Putri Page Count: 32 Pages Release Date: March 12, 2025

[mutantpowerlist]

Vanguard - Nikolai Krylenko 🇷🇺

• Ability to posses an energy field that repels virtually all electromagnetic, kinetic, and gravitational energy • Use to need his hammer and sickle to channel his energy

Teams: Winter Guard, Soviet Super-Soldiers, 198 Relatives: Darkstar (twin sister) First Appearance: Iron Man #109 (1978)

[wanderingmind867]

The Union of Soviet Super Soldiers (USSS):

It's 1976 or 1977. At least 12 years since the avengers were founded in the US. The Soviet Union is desperate to create their own superhero team to rival the avengers. They've tried to create figures like the Red Guardian, or the Crimson Dynamo or Titanium Man before, but it always fails. But perhaps it's because they never assembled a proper team? That's the logic that leads to the creation of the Union of Soviet Super Soldiers (Or USSS for short) in 1976 or 1977.

Founded in July 1976, the original team consists of:

Red Guardian III (Vladimir Ivanov): I already have a whole note on him. But he's the team leader, and one of the members of the team most devoted to Communism.

Vanguard (Nikolai Krylenko): He's a real comics character. I'm pretty sure you can find info on him through a Marvel Wiki or through Google (that's how I learned of him).

The Winter Witch (Katerina Obolensky): Abandoned as a child in the snowy mountains of Siberia, Katerina Obolensky learned to be one with the ice and snow. Nobody is sure if she's a mutant or some kind of demigod, but she is definitely powerful. Capable of controlling the ice, snow and winds at a single thought. She can generate winds, blizzards, avalanches, etc. When in her natural element she is a god amongst men. But when she's far separated from any form of cold, she becomes weak and frail.

The Gift-Bringer (Adrian Abel): Adrian Abel is a mutant. Born with the uncanny ability to control poison and even generate it (they can turn their whole body into poison dust or into liquid poison, for instance), they were considered a threat to others and sent off to an elite mutant training facility in Russia. There, they learned how to control their powers and make themselves less dangerous to others. Worst comes to worst, they were at least given a containment suit to prevent them from accidentally killing anyone with their poison.

Considering how powerful they are, it's only natural Adrian was recruited to the USSS. They're both powerful and extremely volatile, however. So they possibly be the most dangerous person on the team. So they require extreme protective measures to ensure they don't accidentally poison the people they're trying to help.

PS: Adrian is the only character not originally from the USSR. They're East German. I realized the German word for poison is gift due to google translate, and so I couldn't resist this bit of humour.

Crimson Dynamo (Dmitri Bukharin): Same as Vanguard. The Crimson Dynamo (including this version of him) is a real comics character who can find out more about through Google or a Marvel Wiki or something.

If you're wondering where in the timeline of comics this is supposed to be, it's shortly after Darkstar defects to the US to join The Champions. And she will join this team eventually, if someone (either me or literally anyone else) takes this idea past the concept stage.

[multiverseofmiracleshq]

NIKOLAI KRYLENKO (PRIME)

[justdealingwithsomeissues]

Darkstar watches her brother be killed and it causes her to flip out and just start killing Blasters, even ones that were prisoner.

[marveldcnerdys]

Red Guardian: The Soviet Union's Super Soldier

Introduction

Marvel Comics has introduced several characters who act as counterparts to Captain America, but few are as intriguing as Red Guardian. Originally created as the Soviet Union’s answer to Steve Rogers, Red Guardian represents Cold War-era tensions, espionage, and the ideological clash between superpowers. Over the years, multiple individuals have taken on the mantle of Red Guardian, each bringing their own unique abilities and perspectives to the role. This article explores the origins, powers, key storylines, and significance of Red Guardian in the Marvel Universe.

Origins and History of Red Guardian

The Red Guardian persona has been used by several individuals in Marvel Comics, but the most well-known and original version is Alexei Shostakov.

Alexei Shostakov – The Original Red Guardian

Introduced in The Avengers #43 (1967), Alexei Shostakov was a skilled Soviet pilot and war hero.

Originally married to Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Alexei was believed to have died in an explosion but was instead secretly recruited by the Soviet government.

He was transformed into the Red Guardian, a super-soldier trained to rival Captain America in combat and tactics.

Unlike Cap, he did not possess a vibranium shield but was highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat and strategic warfare.

His first major appearance saw him clashing with the Avengers and Black Widow, revealing his tragic fate before dying in battle.

Other Red Guardians

Several others have worn the Red Guardian mantle over the years:

Nikolai Krylenko (Vanguard) – A mutant with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy, he was part of Russia’s Winter Guard.

Tania Belinsky – The only female Red Guardian, a neurosurgeon turned superhero who eventually joined the Defenders.

Josef Petkus – A modernized Red Guardian and member of the Soviet Super-Soldiers.

Anton (Yelena Belova’s Red Guardian) – A newer incarnation introduced in the Black Widow comics.

Mikhail Ursus (Ursa Major) – A mutant with the ability to transform into a bear, briefly took on the role.

Powers and Abilities

Unlike Captain America, Red Guardian does not always have access to a super-soldier serum. However, most versions have undergone extensive training, genetic enhancement, or received cybernetic augmentations. Key abilities include:

1. Peak Human Strength and Agility

Through intense training and enhancements, Red Guardian can match Captain America in combat.

2. Master Martial Artist and Strategist

Red Guardian is highly skilled in various martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, and battlefield strategy.

3. Weaponry and Shield Combat

Some versions wield a shield similar to Captain America’s, while others use traditional Soviet weapons or advanced gadgets.

4. Espionage and Intelligence

Due to his ties with the KGB and Soviet military, Red Guardian excels in espionage, sabotage, and counterintelligence.

5. Cybernetic Enhancements (Certain Versions)

Some Red Guardians have received cybernetic enhancements to augment their abilities beyond human limits.

Notable Storylines

1. Cold War Confrontations (1960s-1970s)

Alexei Shostakov’s first major storyline pits him against the Avengers, showcasing him as both a tragic villain and a hero who ultimately sacrifices himself.

2. The Winter Guard (1990s-2000s)

Red Guardian’s legacy continues with newer incarnations joining Russia’s superhero team, The Winter Guard, a counterpart to the Avengers.

Josef Petkus and Vanguard play major roles in international conflicts.

3. Black Widow’s Past Revealed

The Black Widow series delves deeper into Alexei’s history with Natasha Romanoff, highlighting their complex relationship and his role in her transformation into an elite spy.

4. The MCU Influence: Red Guardian in Black Widow (2021)

The Black Widow film introduced a new take on Red Guardian, portrayed by David Harbour as an older, comedic yet powerful version of Alexei Shostakov.

This version is a washed-up, retired super-soldier who still boasts about his past battles with Captain America, despite questionable accuracy.

Red Guardian vs. Captain America: A Comparative Analysis

FeatureRed Guardian (Alexei Shostakov)Captain America (Steve Rogers)OriginSoviet Union super-soldierAmerican super-soldierAbilitiesPeak human condition, combat masterySuper-soldier serum, enhanced strengthShieldSometimes carries one, not vibraniumVibranium shieldCombat StyleBrutal, militaristic, calculatedTactical, agile, disciplinedAllegiancesSoviet Union, Winter GuardAvengers, S.H.I.E.L.D.PersonalityStoic, patriotic, sometimes tragicIdealistic, charismatic, leader

The Significance of Red Guardian

Red Guardian’s role in Marvel Comics goes beyond being just a Soviet version of Captain America. His character serves as a mirror reflecting Cold War anxieties, propaganda, and the ideological battles between the East and the West. Through different incarnations, he has evolved from a one-dimensional villain into a complex figure with a rich history.

Additionally, his inclusion in the MCU has revitalized interest in the character, providing an opportunity for deeper storytelling in future films and comics.

Conclusion

Red Guardian is one of Marvel’s most underrated yet fascinating characters. His legacy, tied to espionage, super-soldier programs, and Cold War conflicts, makes him a compelling figure in both comics and the MCU. Whether portrayed as a tragic hero, an aging warrior, or a nationalistic soldier, Red Guardian remains a crucial part of Marvel’s history. With the success of Black Widow (2021), fans can expect more stories exploring his past, present, and possible future in the Marvel Universe.

[nanshe-of-nina]

Women’s History Meme || Virtually Unknown Women (8/10) ↬ Aleksandra Mikhailovna Kollontai (1872 – 1952)

One woman, and the least likely, was singled out by Stalin for a real political role. Aleksandra Kollontai, daughter of one Tsarist general and, by her first marriage, the wife of another, left her husband and child in 1898 to become a feminist, a libertine, and a Bolshevik. Exceptionally beautiful and a talented writer, although six years older than Stalin she enchanted him, as she did many men and women. She suspended his Georgian predilection for discreet, silent, and chaste women. Trotsky loathed Kollontai, and perhaps Stalin loved her for this alone. When revolution broke out, she began a torrid affair with a man seventeen years her junior, Pavel Dybenko, a muscular Ukrainian sailor who became commissar for the navy. Sailors ignored orders from Trotsky unless Dybenko confirmed them and Trotsky had Dybenko court-martialed. Kollontai, now commissar for social security, begged prosecutor Nikolai Krylenko to release Dybenko. Krylenko made her abjure her principles and become Dybenko’s wife. Kollontai’s love letters were copied by the Cheka to the Politburo and the couple inspired scabrous verse in Petrograd … Kollontai had to be sent away until the scandals died down. Stalin appointed her a semi-official envoy to Sweden and Norway; the latter was persuaded to recognize Soviet Russia partly because it had herrings to sell. Kollontai—an exemplary socialist—charmed the Scandinavian bourgeoisie and proved herself the Soviet Union’s most effective diplomat, even though the Swedes expelled her for political and sexual profligacy (she had long since cast off Dybenko). Thanks to Kollontai, the USSR secured half a million tons of Norwegian herring, and a grateful fishing industry stopped the Oslo press calling her a whore. — Stalin and His Hangmen: The Tyrant and Those Who Killed for Him by Donald Rayfield

[nitpickrider]

Watching a trio of russian superheroes laughing their pants off at Ronald Reagan is much more cathartic than it probably should be

[yaoist]

if nikolai krylenko was born in the usa we would not have executed him we would have given him a tv show and a legally recognized religion

[bedlamsbard]

700 words written today. I might have maybe gotten through the fight scene, take ten million? I am feeling much better about this version, anyway.

Snippet from Of Home Near chapter 11.

The man – Nikolai Krylenko – had just enough time to shout, “Aleks –” Natasha was there before he could finish Lebedev’s name, sweeping his legs out from under him and turning to slam the heel of her left hand up into the underside of the woman’s chin in the same motion.  Her right foot cracked into Krylenko’s skull and carried around in a kick that struck the woman across the ribs.  Both Soviets dropped without ever getting in a blow. “Rogers, stop screwing around in there!” Natasha yelled. Peggy felt rather than heard the approach of the woman behind her.  She turned, bringing her gun up two-handed to block the woman’s downwards knife blow.  The blade skittered off the metal of the barrel with a horrible scraping noise and Peggy kicked outwards without success, the woman twisting out of the way and dropping her knife as she did so.  She caught it in her other hand, slashing outwards and catching the front of Peggy’s tunic with the tip of the blade.  The fabric tore as Peggy jumped backwards, out of immediate arm’s reach. There was a crash from behind her, sounding like it came from inside the room rather than out in the hallway.  Peggy saw the newcomer’s gaze flicker quickly over her shoulder before going back to Peggy. Without looking back at Natasha, Peggy said, “I can handle this.  Go get Steve.”

[wasthecrimsondynamo]

He and Nikolai had never really seen eye to eye. Not enemies forthright, but Yuri couldn't say that they'd ever truly been friends either. They had been comrades, and almost in-laws a lifetime ago.

Traipsing across the apartment, Yuri sat on the armchair across from Laynia, perching his elbows on his knees, dipping his head to make sure she didn't avert her gaze. This was a shit situation, because he hoped for her sake that Krylenko would stick around, but if history was anything to go by, well - Yuri knew someone would have to pick up the pieces.

"I get that, I do - and I understand why you want to build that bridge Laynie. I guess I just don't want to see you get hurt again, that's all."

There it was - the proverbial elephant in the room that she had elected to ignore when she had been talking to Nikolai. If she had asked that, then it would have sounded like she wasn't happy to see him, or that she were still angry with him and after all this time, she was tired of falling in and out with people.

Pursing her lips in a tight line, Laynia stared at Yuri, knowing that he expected her to flit to anger, but instead she lifted her shoulders into a small shrug.

"I don't know, but he's here now, and I'm gonna choose to be thankful for that."

[comicwaren]

From Winter Guard #001

Art by Djibril Morissette-Phan, Jan Bazaldua and Federico Blee

Written by Ryan Cady

[why-i-love-comics]

Winter Guard #1 (2021)

written by Ryan Cady art by Jan Bazaldua, Djibri Morissette-Phan, & Federico Blee