Despite his beginnings as an X-Men villain, the Juggernaut is on a quest for redemption supported and encouraged by his new partner.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Juggernaut #4, by Fabian Nicieza, Ron Garney, Matt Milla and VC’s Joe Sabino, on sale now.
It’s never too late for an old villain to turn a new leaf. For Cain Marko, the unstoppable Juggernaut, there was a time when redemption seemed unattainable for him. For years Juggernaut fought the X-Men and caused untold destruction the world over. But now, free of the control of the demon Cyttorak, it seems that Juggernaut is trying to make amends for his past. In his new series, Cain has formed a bond with a young girl that stands apart from his past partnerships and offers him a chance at a new life.
An unexpected summons brings Juggernaut to court to stand trial for the destruction of a construction company. The hearing is interrupted by the villain Quicksand who is hellbent on kidnapping D-Cel, the girl that’s taken it upon herself to livestream her adventures with Juggernaut. Juggernaut defeats Quicksand and learns that she’s been under mind control by Armin Zola, the Nazi mad scientist.
Juggernaut enters Zola’s laboratory base and is taken captive by Primus, another villain under Zola’s mind control. D-Cel, not seeing or hearing any new destruction caused by Juggernaut, ventures into the lab to see what’s happening. Zola restrains D-Cel and takes delight in knowing he now has a mutant to perform his cruel experiments on. Seeing the girl in danger, Juggernaut breaks free of his bonds and defeats both Zola and Primus. There is no more joking wit or humor in D-Cel now; she understands just how close she came to suffering a fate worse than death. Juggernaut vows to protect her and to discover who’s operating from the shadows.
This is an unusual development for Juggernaut. For years his MO was always wanton destruction with absolutely no regard for anything else. To put someone else’s life in his care is a mature and heroic move for Juggernaut. As D-Cel is a young girl this development also seems paternal in nature for the ex-villain. But the idea of Juggernaut teaming up with another person is not new as Juggernaut has a long and turbulent history with team-ups.
While in prison years ago Juggernaut met the villain Black Tom Cassidy, brother to Sean Cassidy, aka Banshee. Juggernaut and Black Tom, being the heartless and power hungry villains they were, found kinship with one another and became friends. Over the years the two operated as a dangerous criminal duo, constantly working to kill the X-Men. Their relationship eventually deteriorated and Juggernaut became an enemy to Black Tom.