Villain Profile: Juggernaut

You know how in X-men: First Class it is implied that Charles had a lovely childhood? Sure his mother didn’t pay him too much attention, but he had sweet little Raven Darkholme to keep him company. Yeah, get that nonsense out of your head. Charles’ life was very difficult during his formative years, his father died in a nuclear experiment, his mother remarried, and with his new step-dad came with a twit of a sibling. Not sweet little Raven Darkholme that would eventually grow into Jennifer Lawrence, no, his new step-brother’s name was Cain Marko, and he proved to be the single worst enemy that Charles has ever had. Remember, Magneto actually likes Charles, they're just on different sides of a conflict. For Cain there is his side, and Charles', and he won't stop until that changes.

It's Cain. Quick, hide the good China!

Not all Cain’s hate is his fault, not directly any way. His father, Kurt, was a very hateful, angry man. He married Charles’ mother when his colleague Brian Xavier died. He only valued Sharon Xavier for her wealth, and even that wasn’t enough to make him happy. He took out his anger on Cain, beating the boy regularly. Cain, transferring his anger at his father, targeted Charles. It also didn’t help matters that Kurt doted on Charles to keep Sharon happy. Cain’s torture of Charles’ was largely verbal, thought he did beat up Charles on a few occasions, mainly to avoid the fallout of leaving marks on the favored son. Charles took it in stride, which only infuriated Cain more. Turning the other cheek has its consequences too. The resulting mix of anger and pain eventually led to a very bitter, very angry Cain Marko.

Cain joined the Army along with Charles, the two even served in the same unit, although to call them anything but enemies would be a misnomer. While in Korea together, Cain attempted to desert, Charles followed him shortly thereafter, to bring Cain back. What a shock, the bully was also a coward. So unexpected. Cain found himself drawn to a temple hidden deep in the jungles of Korea. He found a magic Ruby atop an altar. He read the inscription on the altar on which the stone rested, despite not having been able to read it when he first entered. It read “Whosoever touches this gem shall be granted the power of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words, shall become, forevermore, a human juggernaut." Cain is then morphed into the Avatar of Cyttorak, an ancient and powerful god-like being in case you hadn’t figured it out yet. The transformation, plus a round of bombs from the future North Korea, destroyed the temple, burying Cain alive. Charles witnessed the destruction and presumed Cain dead.

A good Juggernaut from an alternate time-line.
I'm digging the black costume.

Unfortunately for Charles, the powers the Gem infused into Cain quiet literally made him unstoppable. He no longer needed air, sleep, food, or water, the energies of the Gem and by extension Cyttorak sustained him. It took him a while, but the Juggernaut eventually dug his way out of the tomb and returned stateside. Presumably thinking only of his brother as he walked home. He attacks the X-mansion, easily shrugging off the combined might of the five original X-men (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel, Ice-man, and Beast, for those who don’t know) to get at Charles. Charles also called in the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch for back up. This turned out to be the stroke of luck that save his life. Johnny Storm created pulses of flame, like the flame of a candle, which sort of hypnotized and definitely distracted Cain long enough for Angel to swoop in and remove the Juggernaut’s helmet. Charles then mentally blasted Cain into submission. They hauled Cain away, but he’s returned countless times to menace Charles and the X-men. Cain has attempted to reform in the past, but either by the hateful will of Cyttorak or an internal malignance, Cain has always returned to the hate filled Human Juggernaut.

I'd love to see this play out, from a safe distance.
Say the Moon, preferably Mars.

Cain’s powers are mystical in nature, and not the result of an X-gene. Another thing that X-3 screwed up royally, just saying. The power of Cyttorak makes Cain strong enough to shatter mountains and use buildings as weapons. He is also possess a magical kinetic barrier that he can create around himself increasing his durability. He also heals incredibly fast, so poking his eyes out won't help for long. Once in motion Juggernaut is virtually unstoppable. He won’t get tired, he won’t stop for a coffee break, and unless he either stops himself or runs into someone of comparable strength, he’ll just keep on chugging. His helmet protects him from his one major weakness, telepathy. It can be removed, for some reason, though it’s usually all but suicidal to get that close to him at least on one’s own.

Juggernaut has appeared in several different Marvel franchises, some of which aren’t directly connected to the X-men. Interestingly, it seems most of the series retool Cain as Xavier’s half-brother rather than step-brother. Which kind of makes sense, it kind of highlights the brain vs. brawn element they’ve always had.

He appeared in a few episodes of the X-men animated series of the 90s. Like with their Dark Phoenix storyline, if you want the closest to the source material version of the character check out this show. His biggest episodes are “The Unstoppable Juggernaut” and “The Juggernaut Returns.” The Juggernaut Returns is particularly worth mentioning. In it, an archeologist uncovers the Juggernaut’s Ruby and Tablet, recites the words, and claims the Juggernaut’s power for himself. Apparently Cyttorak is a one man sort of deity. Xavier and the X-men are somewhat forced to reclaim Cain’s powers for him, given that he was gravely injured during their most recent encounter when his powers cut out. Charles communes with Cain’s mind and discovers that all of the evil torture Cain had visited on Charles was nearly Euphoric to Cain. Particularly a memory of outing Charles as a Mutant to a girl that Charles had a crush on. Despite seeing Cain as the malignant, ugly thing that he is, Charles still gets the stone to him. In gratitude, Cain withdrew, for a time.

X-men 0 Juggernaut 6.
Thankfully they get out of this one.

X-men: Evolution’s Juggernaut was similar and yet different to the classic continuity in a number of ways. The biggest alteration was that in this universe, Cain is indeed a Mutant. The twist, the X-gene that Cain inherited from his and Charles’ father was dormant for most of his life, which most likely added to his hatred of his brother. He awoke his powers using mysticism, and the Rubies of Cyttorak, a rare but not inherently magical gem stone that magnifies Mutant powers. Otherwise he’s basically the same Juggernaut. They also play up the connection to Charles by having Paul Dobson provide the voice for both parts. Dobson is talented enough that the voices sound distinct to the characters but still similar enough that you hear it. Applause for subtly.

He’s a background baddy in both Wolverine and the X-men, and Ultimate Spider-man. Two distinctly different shows and universes, but Juggernaut isn’t played up enough in either to be a real character.

He’s in X-men: The Last Stand. He’s portrayed by Vinnie Jones, who I liked in Eurotrip. I hated him in this. It’s not Vinnie’s fault, the character he was assigned to play was in the movie for two reasons, one, to be Magneto’s muscle, and two, to spout the internet meme “I’m the Juggernaut, bitch” during the films climax. No depth, no fun, no connection to Charles mentioned, just two stupid reasons to screw up a decent character. The movie sucks, the character sucks, don’t see it, pretend it no longer exists like the rest of the original X-men movies.

Juggernaut started out, and is at his core, a bully. He’s bigger and stronger than Charles, and that is all the justification he needs to make Charles’ life a living hell. He’s all about pain, he relishes in causing it. And, like Batman, at his core he is still a child. An angry little child that is screaming to the world “Dad’s wrong, I’m not nothing,” or something to that degree. He wants Charles to hurt as much as he does, and that honestly is part of what makes him a great character. He’s simple, understandable, a black for a series that is all about shades of grey. I imagine a holiday meal with these two would end with Charles asking Cain to “Pass the salt,” at which time Cain wigs out, starts smashing things and Charles calls in backup. So, they are pretty much your basic brothers. Next time, Batman’s biggest mistake, Red Hood.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggernaut_%28comics%29

 http://marvel.wikia.com/Juggernaut

 http://wolf166.deviantart.com/art/Hulk-Vs-Juggernaut-425751753

 http://www.comicvine.com/juggernaut/4005-1445/