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The new version of Marvel’s Juggernaut continues his rise to prominence, as the publisher prepares for the spring 2025 debut of the Kid Juggernaut solo series, which promises to make its hero, Justin Jin, into a major superhero star, as he starts his tenure as a student at the Avengers Academy.
With the announcement of Marvel’s forthcoming Kid Juggernaut #1 – written by Emily Kim, with art by Peter Nguyen and Minkyu Jung – it is worth looking back at comments from Kim and Kid Juggernaut’s creator, Anthony Oliveria, who spoke about the importance of the character, how he fits into the history of the original Juggernaut, and where he belongs in the overall landscape of the Marvel Universe.
In addition to being one of Marvel’s most exciting new heroes, Kid Juggernaut also forces the original, Cain Marko, to re-evaluate his powers, which he usurped from Justin’s lineage.
Kid Juggernaut’s Creators Explain What Makes The Character A Vital New Addition To The Marvel Universe
Kid Juggernaut #1 – Written By Emily Kim; Art By Peter Nguyen & Minkyu Jung; Color By Michael Wiggam; Lettering By Ariana Maher
As Kid Juggernaut creator Anthony Oliveria explained:
When we were designing the Avengers Academy, we wanted to create a character who would not be a legacy, but a reclamation. We wanted to think about how there was a Juggernaut before Cain Marko seized the gem for himself. We wanted to make that character’s story and legacy, as Justin’s grandfather, something our hero inherits and discovers as the Avengers Academy grows, even as he has to decide for himself what a hero is.
Justin’s heritage is important, and not just something to be co-opted by foreign colonial enterprises, but his to negotiate, understand, and make his own. The concept of the Juggernaut has so often been about the crisis of masculinity, and in creating Justin, I wanted to approach him as a contrast to Cain: sure of himself, secure in his masculinity, gentle and patient and kind. He struggles, but he approaches the world as a sweet, pure-of-heart person doing his best.
He’s a hero; he’s a hunk; and above all he’s a good nice boy—the best dude I’ve ever known and my favorite character I’ve ever created.
Though the character’s appearances have been limited so far, Marvel has been steadily building toward integrating Kid Juggernaut more fully into its mainstream continuity. Oliveria notes that the new hero was consciously conceived of as “a contrast to Cain [Marko],” and in general, a more kind and kindhearted superhero. The upcoming Kid Juggernaut series can be expected to test the limits of Justin Jin’s strength – physically, but also mentally and emotionally – and, in the process, show why this kind of hero is incredibly valuable.
Further, a key factor underlying the differences between the characters is that he is intended to be a “reclamation” – that is, a direct link to a wider history of the Juggernaut powers in the Marvel Universe, the surface of which has only been scratched. For readers unfamiliar with Juggernaut’s backstory, despite his long-time connection with the X-Men, Cain Marko is not a mutant; rather, his powers derive from a mystical artifact known as the Gem of Cytorrak – which Cain stole from its resting place in his original appearance.
Kid Juggernaut Is A New Kind Of Marvel Hero – And He’s Ready To Make An Impact In The Comics
Kid Juggernaut #1 – Available April 30, 2025 From Marvel Comics
As Juggernaut, Cain Marko has had one of Marvel’s most rewarding redemption stories – yet now that he is unequivocally a hero, he will have to reckon with the ill-gotten source of his powers. Kid Juggernaut’s arc, meanwhile, is all about fulfilling the role he was destined for – and, consequently, showing Marvel fans that there is a better, more holistic way to wield the incredible strength of the Juggernaut. By far, this ranks him among Marvel’s most intriguing new iterations of classic characters, given that he is not just a “reboot” or replacement, but, as Anthony Oliveria put it, a “reclamation.”
Marvel has officially inaugurated a new era in Juggernaut lore, and it will smash fans’ long-held expectations about power and heroism in the Marvel Universe.
Emily Kim, author of the Kid Juggernaut series, summed up the protagonist this way:
It’s been such a joy to put a twist on a classic Marvel character and instead see a young Asian Canadian kid thrown into the role. Unlike the Juggernauts who came before him, Justin is someone who sees the best in others and will do anything to keep his loved ones safe.
In essence, Justin Jin serves as a great form of representation, while also offering the potential to redefine what it means to be more than just Juggernaut, but a Marvel hero in general. Readers have immediately connected with the character since his debut, and it is clear that Kid Juggernaut will be a must-read series from Marvel in 2025. Marvel has officially inaugurated a new era in Juggernaut lore, and it will smash fans’ long-held expectations about power and heroism in the Marvel Universe.
Source: Marvel, “Kid Juggernaut” author comments
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Kid Juggernaut #1 will be available April 30, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
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