As theJuggernautallies himself with Cyclops' latestX-Menteam, he’s sporting a new costume that embraces their iconic ‘X’ insignia. Now, Cain Marko is explaining the exact meaning of his new look, and it shows his ferocious commitment to mutantkind. While Juggernaut spent the majority of his time in Marvel continuity as a villain, he’s sincerely turned over a new leaf, and his thoughts on his new armor show that he’s fully committed to the X-Men’s heroic ideals.
In Jed MacKay and Netho Diaz’sX-Men #4, the X-Men face the Upstarts - a team of mutants who are killing their fellowhomo superiorin a bid for fame. Juggernaut squares off with Upstart member Orifice, who can unleash huge energy blasts from his mouth. As Juggernaut battles through the flow of energy, Orifice objects that he isn’t even a mutant and doesn’t belong in this fight. Juggernaut’s hardcore answer shows that while he may not behomo superior, he’ll fight by their side until the end.
ForX-Men’s new era, Juggernaut has been wearing new black armor with a huge red ‘X’ over his face. In the battle against Orifice, he spells out how he considers the logo a target - one that he’s chosen to share with mutantkind, fighting at their side. Marko explains:
It’s a target. A crosshairs. And I wear it right here. So’s anyone who thinks they’re going to take their shot has to look me in the eyes. So’s they see what’s in those eyes. So’s they see what I’m gonna do to them.
Juggernaut’s Lore Is So Much More Ambitious Than You Think
The Juggernaut isn’t just a brute. He’s one of eight mystically empowered avatars of the Octessence - the secret Demon Lords of the Marvel Universe.
Juggernaut’s New Costume Is a ‘Target’ for Anti-Mutant Villains
While He Once Fought the X-Men, Juggernaut Is Now All-In on the Mutant Cause
WhileJuggernaut was introduced intoX-Menloreas Charles Xavier’s stepbrother,he’s never actually been a mutant. Instead, he gained his powers through magic, becoming the avatar of the demon lord Cyttorak, who feeds on destructive acts in the physical world. That need for destruction turned Juggernaut into one of the planet’s most dangerous superhumans, while his connection to (and hatred towards) Xavier has kept him butting heads with mutantkind again and again, sometimes joining teams including Excalibur for short bursts before returning to his life of crime.
That changed afterJuggernaut broke ties with Cyttorak, realizing he’d never be free of the demon’s influence so long as he was wielding its borrowed power. Juggernaut made a fresh start, replacing his powers with metal stolen from his former master and finding a new home on the mutant island of Krakoa, where he joined Nightcrawler’s Legion of X ( a group who kept the peace among the island’s mutants.)
Sadly, Krakoa is now a distant memory, andX-Men’s ‘From the Ashes’ era sees mutants hated and feared more than ever before. It’s the perfect moment for Juggernaut to abandon the X-Men, who no longer have an island paradise to offer him for his service. Instead, Juggernaut has doubled down,joining Cyclops and Magnetoon a mutant response team who act as the first line of defense against threats to mutants.With even heroes like Kate ‘Kitty’ Pryde and Wolverine giving up on the X-Men’s dream and refusing to keep the team together, Juggernaut’s commitment is a major indication that the character has permanently turned a corner.
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The preview for “Amazing Spider-Man #63” teases an unexpected expansion of the lore behind Juggernaut’s dark patron god, Cytorrak.
Juggernaut Has Earned His Place on the X-Men
The Mutants' Former Enemy Was There When It Mattered
Juggernaut is one of Marvel’s most powerful beings alive, having gone toe-to-toe with the Hulk and come out the victor. However, it’s not merely his power level that earned him a spot on Cyclops' roster. Juggernaut’s commitment to mutantkind during the Krakoan Era was so absolute that when Krakoa’s mutants voted for their new X-Men roster at the third annual Hellfire Gala, Juggernaut made the cut (he was also the winner of a real-life online vote by fans to choose the team’s new member.) Sadly, his moment in the sun was ruined when the killer Sentinel Nimrod attacked, slaughtering Juggernaut’s team.
However, even with Krakoa under fire and his dreams in ashes, Juggernaut stepped up. He fought Nimrod by Jean Grey’s side and later protected Krakoa itself when the sentient island fled the anti-mutant group Orchis in a severely diminished form. Even skewered on an adamantium spear,Juggernaut stopped Orchis from finishing off Krakoa, protecting the X-Men’s sacred homeland with his life.It’s only because of Juggernaut’s efforts that Krakoa lives on- now sadly outside time and space, but still home to many mutants who have chosen their utopian paradise over returning to Earth.
When it seemed the X-Men couldn’t win, Juggernaut was there to protect what mattered, and now as Cyclops' team begin the impossible task of rebuilding mutantkind’s chances of survival, he’s not only fighting by their side but wearing their symbol as a challenge for anyone who would hurt mutants to go through him first. For decades,Juggernautwas one of theX-Men’s most powerful enemies, but his new look makes it clear that over the last few years, he’s sincerely transformed into their most stalwart ally.
Juggernaut
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
