Avalanche, whose real name is Dominikos Ioannis Petrakis, first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #141 (January 1981), created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne. A mutant born on the Greek island of Crete, he possesses the ability to generate powerful seismic waves from his hands, capable of disintegrating inorganic matter and inducing earthquakes of varying intensity without harming living tissue. Recruited by Mystique, he joined her incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, debuting publicly during their attempt to assassinate Senator Robert Kelly amid hearings on the mutant threat, an act thwarted by the X-Men that highlighted his role as a terrorist advocating mutant supremacy through violent means.

As a member of the Brotherhood, Avalanche participated in numerous conflicts against the X-Men and other heroes, later transitioning when the group accepted a government pardon to form Freedom Force, a sanctioned team enforcing mutant-related laws under the supervision of Valerie Cooper. This shift positioned him in direct opposition to former allies, including battles against the X-Men and involvement in missions such as capturing Magneto. Following the disbandment of Freedom Force and periods of independent criminal activity, Avalanche reverted to villainous pursuits, often aligning with reformed Brotherhood iterations or engaging in mercenary work, demonstrating his pragmatic and temperamental nature.

In subsequent developments, Avalanche was depowered during the Decimation event following House of M, leading him to operate a bar in San Francisco under civilian identity. He later regained prominence when mind-controlled by the Red Skull, resulting in his suicide during the events of Uncanny Avengers. Resurrected through the Krakoan protocols as part of the mutant nation's resurrection process, he now resides on Krakoa, reflecting his enduring status as a resilient, if opportunistic, figure within the mutant community.