Despite the research of Vasiliev, Toumanoff, Kuršanskis and others, Alexios' life is a blank between 1185, when Andronikos was deposed and murdered, and 1204 when he and David arrived at Trebizond—although this lack of information has not prevented scholars from proposing various hypotheses.
Meskipun penelitian Vasiliev, Toumanoff, Kuršanskis dan lain-lain, kehidupan Alexios 'adalah kosong antara 1185, ketika Andronikos digulingkan dan dibunuh, dan 1204 ketika dia dan David tiba di Trabzon—meskipun kurangnya informasi ini tidak mencegah para sarjana dari mengusulkan berbagai hipotesis.