The Unstoppable Juggernaut, aka Cain Marko, is a character with a complex history in the X-Men universe. First introduced, unseen until the final panels in Uncanny X-Men #12, he is the stepbrother of Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X. Cain was transformed into the Juggernaut after discovering the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak in a cave during his military service in Asia. This gem gave him superhuman strength and durability, making him virtually immune to most physical attacks.

In The Juggernaut Returns, Juggernaut’s life is at risk when someone else uncovers the Ruby of Cyttorak and claims the powers of Juggernaut for himself. This episode showcases the struggle of Juggernaut and his eventual return to his powerful form. At the same time, it focusses on the history between the two brothers, which has been a source of both great pain and great joy to both of them.

Kurt Marko and Brian Xavier were not just colleagues but also the fathers of Cain Marko and Charles Xavier, who became stepbrothers after Kurt married Brian’s widow, Sharon. Their relationship was strained from the beginning, with Cain often displaying abusive behaviour towards Charles, driven by jealousy and resentment. This was exacerbated by Kurt’s favouritism towards Charles, leading to Cain’s bullying behaviour. Charles’ emerging telepathic abilities accidentally exposed him to Cain’s deepest shames and pains, intensifying the animosity between them.

As they grew up, their lives took markedly different directions. Charles became an advocate for mutant rights and established the X-Men, while Cain, empowered by the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak, turned into the Juggernaut, a formidable adversary of the X-Men. Their confrontations were deeply personal, rooted in their shared history.

Yet, their relationship wasn’t purely antagonistic. There have been instances in the comics where they’ve collaborated, setting aside their differences. The bond between Charles Xavier and Cain Marko is intricate, woven with family connections, personal grudges, and contrasting beliefs.

In a remarkable turn of events over the past decade in the comic books, Juggernaut has experienced a profound change, transitioning from villainy to heroism and earning a place among the X-Men. This evolution of Juggernaut’s character is a powerful illustration of redemption and character development within the X-Men narrative.

Deep in an Asian temple, Eugene Turbot Weiderspan uncovers a tablet detailing the location of the Crimson Gem of Cytorrak. Meanwhile, the gem’s current avatar, Juggernaut, strides across the ocean bed towards America, propelled there by Gladiator‘s mighty blow during the Phoenix Saga. He emerges onshore, setting his sights on the X-Men‘s mansion.

Professor X, sensing the impending threat, attempts to rally the X-Men for protection but fails to make contact. As Juggernaut invades the mansion, Xavier cleverly baits him into the Danger Room, where a mechanical Hulk awaits. Despite Juggernaut’s victory over the faux Hulk and Beast, his rampage halts when Eugene claims the gem, sapping Juggernaut of his might. Cain Marko, now powerless, succumbs to a coma beneath the Danger Room’s debris. Xavier, ever the devoted step-brother, endeavours to revive Cain through psychic means, to no avail.

Cyclops and Wolverine embark on a quest to confront the new Juggernaut, aiming to restore Cain’s powers. Eugene, revelling in his newfound strength, unsuccessfully woos women until Cyclops and Wolverine intervene. After a fierce skirmish, they retrieve the gem and return to the mansion, thwarting Eugene’s pursuit.

At the mansion, the gem’s return transforms Cain back into the Juggernaut. In a decisive act, he hurls the gem into the cosmos, ensuring its power remains unclaimed. With a parting remark that their relationship remains unchanged, Juggernaut departs, leaving Xavier to ponder their complex bond.

The ‘Previously on X-Men‘ segment that opens this episode includes shots that are not from past events but are entirely new, tacked onto the end of the recap! The sequence from Cry of the Banshee typically concludes with Juggernaut being hurled through the air by Gladiator. However, the new footage of him crashing into the ocean depths, aglow and commencing his trek back to land, is a fresh addition.

The script read from the Cytorrak tablet by Eugene closely mirrors the original comic’s text: “Whosoever touches this gem shall wield the power of the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak! From this moment on, you who read these words, will transform into the eternal human juggernaut!”

The debut of the Juggernaut in Uncanny X-Men #12 was a masterclass in suspense—felt, but unseen. He relentlessly advanced towards the Mansion’s core, unstoppable by any defense, leaving the original X-Men baffled about their adversary’s identity. In the climactic final panel, Cain Marko is revealed, with the tantalizing ‘to be continued’ marking the end of the issue. His rampage through the Mansion mirrored his initial comic book destruction and echoed Magneto’s orders in the classic ’80s animated pilot, Pryde of the X-Men.

Upon Storm and Rogue’s return to the Mansion, Storm sports her stylish clubbing attire from Uncanny X-Men #312-313, brought to life by Joe Madureira’s vibrant illustrations.

In a fleeting yet memorable moment, Morph and Moira bid farewell to the departing Blackbird from Muir Island’s shores. Their cameo sets the stage for a short reunion with the team in Courage before they settle back into their lives, leading up to the events of X-Men ’97.

The tumultuous childhood shared by Charles Xavier and Cain Marko is vividly revisited through flashbacks in Uncanny X-Men #12-13.

Cain Marko, also known as the Juggernaut, has experienced the loss of his powers multiple times within the comic book panels. Notably, in Uncanny X-Men #361, Kitty Pryde, Storm, and Gambit embarked on a mission to locate a gem akin to the one that powers Juggernaut. In another instance, Colossus assumed the role of Cyttorak’s avatar on Earth.

In a memorable scene, the club where Eugene confronts Scott and Logan features the iconic tune from Dazzler’s appearance in Dazzled.

Cain’s eventual alliance with the X-Men and reconciliation with Charles Xavier is a significant turn in his narrative. His new team uniforms symbolize a fresh start on this redemptive path.

It’s fitting Cain should walk away from the fight into the sunset at the end of the episode. He doesn’t return to the series again. He does appear, or rather his hand does, in the Fantastic Four episode Nightmare in Green, but thinking about it, that could just very well be the same moment from this episode from their perspective…

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