Alexei Krylenkov is the grandson of the famed Russian hero of the Second World War known as Stalnoivolk (or “Steel Wolf” in English).

Alexei, along with a group of other qualified candidates, was subjected to an experimental process designed to replicate the powers of his illustrious forebear. The untested process caused all the other candidates to die horribly, but Alexei survived due to his unique genetic makeup. Years later, Alexei would learn that his comrade Demian Anikanov had also survived the process (of a sort) and been transformed into the walking atomic juggernaut known as Warhead.

Alexei quickly rose to become the foremost hero of the former Soviet Union, eventually being assigned as Russia’s representative to the United Nations team of powered individuals known as the New Alliance. It was during his service abroad that he discovered his government’s deceptions surrounding his origin, and feeling his loyalty had been betrayed, defected to the United States. His teammate in the New Alliance, Auren, helped bring him through these trying times, and the two fell in love and eventually wed.

Today, Alexei continues to act not as the hero of a single nation, but as a champion of the world as a whole. He has also joined with other powered individuals from across the multiverse in a group known as the Power Company, who have been tasked with safeguarding the multiverse from those who would seek to destroy the fabric of creation itself. After recent events showed the true scope of the threat they face, Alexei, along with his closest teammates and friends Thunder Woman and Midnight Owl, expanded the roster to become a true Coalition of Heroes.