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Warning: Spoilers for Weapon X-Men #4!2025 continues to be a year of many happy returns over at Marvel. News has buzzed about Miles Morales’ return to the original Ultimate Universe, Gwen Stacy’s return in the form of a revived Gwenpool, and even writer Donny Cates’ 2025 comeback for Marvel. Every announced return remains more surprising than the last, but few could have expected the return of one particular villain.
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With the unveiling of Weapon X-Men #4 by Joe Casey and ChrisCross, Marvel has officially announced the return of Red Ronin. The tech mech shines in all its glory on ChrisCross’ cover art, which can be seen below. Weapon X-Men #4 is slated for release in digital stores and local comic bookshops on May 21, 2025.
While Red Ronin may seem like an obscure name to some Marvel readers, a closer look at the character’s history and the events leading to his return suggests that Marvel could be quietly setting up one of their biggest comebacks of the year.
…Red Ronin’s return to wreak havoc on New York will force the Weapon X-Men to unite to stop the deadly mech.
Red Ronin Is Returning to the Marvel Universe
Weapon X-Men #4, Written by Joe Casey with Art by ChrisCross
Red Ronin made his Marvel debut in Godzilla: King of the Monsters #6 by Doug Moench and Herb Trimpe. The SJ3RX model was originally built by Stark International scientist Tamara Hashioka and engineer Yuriko Takiguchi, but it was eventually commandeered by 12-year-old Rob Takiguchi, Yuriko’s grandson. In his attempt to protect his homeland, Rob and his renamed Red Ronin initially became enemies of Godzilla. However, the tables soon turned, and Red Ronin and Godzilla eventually joined forces to battle other giant monsters.
Due to Marvel’s copyright restrictions, Red Ronin will likely never make it to the big screen. However, the mecha still became one of Godzilla’s coolest foes—and later, one of his greatest allies. Over time, Red Ronin proved cool enough to outgrow its role as a Godzilla antagonist, prompting Marvel to expand the robot’s story beyond its connection to the King of Monsters. Before long, Red Ronin was fighting alongside the Avengers after S.H.I.E.L.D. rebuilt the bot to their specifications. Yet, as the years went on, Red Ronin eventually fell into the wrong hands and was used for evil.
How Was the Red Ronin Mecha Turned into a Villain?
From Godzilla’s Ally to the Avengers’ Enemy
Red Ronin’s switch from hero to villain begins in the 1980’s Avengers #198. There, beginning in the previous issue, Dr. Earl Cowan was the scientist tasked on orders from S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark International to revitalize Red Ronin following the machine’s adventures with Godzilla. The rebuilding proves to be a success, but the brilliant Cowan has nefarious ambitions on his mind that he keeps to himself until the time is right. Using a cybernetic helmet, Cowan steal the bot away from S.H.I.E.L.D., controlling its movements to wreck havoc across town.
Avengers #198 was written by David Michelinie, penciled by George Perez, inked by Dan Green, colored by Carl Gafford and Ben Sean, and lettered by John Costanza.
Cowan is eventually defeated in the next issue and Red Ronin is confescated by S.H.I.E.L.D. via the organization’s behemoth. However, this wouldn’t be the last time that Red Ronin was a danger to society. Soon after, Stane International’s Joe Kilman would take Joe Kilman in a similar plot, only to be defeated by Wasp. Red Ronin then found being altered by Fujikawa Electronics, who would offer the robot a more samurai-esque look closer to how it looks today. In the time since, Daredevil’s fiendish foes, The Hand, have abused its power in the past.
Perhaps most notably, when Norman Osborn collapsed S.H.I.E.L.D. into H.A.M.M.E.R., the former Green Goblin piloted the machine until The Human Torch managed to torch it up in flames. Across Marvel history, Red Ronin has fallen into the wrong hands on several occasions, and upon his return, all signs seem to be pointing toward the unmatched prowess of Red Ronin being used for villainy once more.
Marvel’s Red Ronin Returns to Revitalize Kaiju Battles in 2025
Why Red Ronin’s Revival Is Perfect for Marvel’s New Era of Mecha Storytelling?
As of March 24, 2025, Marvel has only released the first issue of Weapon X-Men, offering no clues about how, why, or when Red Ronin will return. The only hint comes from the solicit synopsis for Weapon X-Men #4, teasing Red Ronin’s return to wreak havoc on New York and forcing the Weapon X-Men to unite to stop the deadly mech. Beyond the mystery of Red Ronin’s return, Marvel’s decision to revitalize the villain signals an exciting new era. With Kaiju battles and mechas more tantalizing to audiences than ever, Red Ronin’s 2025 revival opens the door to a wealth of new storytelling possibilities for Marvel.
THE RETURN OF RED RONIN! When New York City finds itself under siege from this titanic technological terror — built to take on giant monsters to the death — the only heroes who stand in its way is the newest X-team on the block: Weapon X-Men! But will they be able to work together without tearing each other apart first? And which member has already gone A.W.O.L.?
Marvel Comics will release Weapon X-Men #4 on May 21, 2025!
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