WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Juggernaut #2 by Fabian Nicieza, Ron Garney, Matt Miller, & VC's Joe Sabino, on sale now
The Juggernaut has been one of the most destructive foes -- and occasional members -- of the X-Men for a very long time. Although Cain Marko is not a mutant and has powers that are largely mystical in nature, he's maintained a semi-regular presence in the X-Men's orbit because of his half-brother, Charles Xavier. While the relationship between these two men has provided plenty of drama over the years, it's also been a beacon of surprising emotion with their latest meeting in Juggernaut #2.
Despite his recent actions painting him in a harsher light since Krakoa's formation in House of X, Charles Xavier's telepathic pep-talk to his step-brother reminds us that the founder of the X-Men still has some of the humanity that's always defined him.
After finally escaping Limbo and ending up in a hospital, Marko was visited by a telepathic avatar of Xavier. Wearing his current costume and Cerebro atop his head, Xavier and Marko briefly chat as Xavier fills in Marko about his current medical condition. Cain asks his step-brother if this is coming with an invitation to Krakoa and to rejoin the X-Men. Although Xavier admits he wanted to check in on Marko, he reveals that since Cain is a mutant, he can't come naturally to Krakoa -- and that he's apparently not being offered the ability to come to the island, as other humans like Corsair have. However, Xavier reveals that he does genuinely believe in Cain's attempts at redemption, that he believes Marko is on the right path and that the former villain will continue to follow it.
To put it mildly, Xavier and Juggernaut have a complicated relationship. After becoming step-brothers as children, Marko made himself into Xavier's worst enemy. He constantly harassed and taunted his step-brother, even after they lost their parents. Xavier was present when Marko was exposed to the strength-bestowing Cyttorak Gem and became the target of Marko's rage when he resurfaced as the Juggernaut. But over the years, the pair have tried to bury the hatchet, with Juggernaut even attempting to move past his time as a villain and briefly joining the X-Men. But as life has continued to throw curveballs at both men, they've each had to harden themselves in their own ways.
Professor Xavier has always employed empathy in his crusade to bring peace between humans and mutants. Even when humans unleash their worst weapons against him and his followers, Xavier has always preached understanding and forgiveness. However, he's become a harder figure in the "Dawn of X" era. Since the formation of Krakoa as an independent mutant nation, Xavier has had to steel himself against the harsher aspects of having their own place on the world stage. He's been decried by Victor Von Doom for his hubris, and potentially made an enemy out of Reed Richards when he and Magneto tried to erase Reed's memory of a device that can actually suppress the X-Gene that provides mutants with their powers.
It makes sense, too. After learning the full extent to which mutants will suffer over the centuries thanks to the multiple lives of Moira MacTaggert, Xavier has tried to morph his dream into a mission where the mutant-race can finally succeed. In the process, Xavier has even been shot and temporarily killed for his efforts. The world has become a more difficult and dangerous place for mutants even as they seem to reach their ultimate place in the universe, and Xavier has had to match it with views and speeches that border on anti-human.
While this moment might be slight, that's why seeing him and Marko share a small but sweet moment together is so rewarding. Not only does it suggest that Juggernaut's attempts at redemption come from a sincere place, but it also reveals that Xavier still cares for others, even former enemies like Juggernaut.
KEEP READING: Juggernaut Reveals How The Marvel Powerhouse Escaped Limbo