Juggernaut’s Most HUMILIATING Defeat Has Come Back to Haunt Him

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Juggernaut #1, by Fabian Nicieza, Ron Garney, Matt Milla and VC's Joe Sabino, on sale now.

Cain Marko as the "unstoppable" Juggernaut. It's commonly believed that nothing can stand in Marko's way when he possesses the power of Cyttorak. The newest Juggernaut series, however, repeatedly references the character's unlikely defeat at the hands of Spider-Man.

In a classic Roger Stern and John Romita Jr. tale from Amazing Spider-Man #229-230, the Juggernaut faced off against Peter Parker in "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut!" During this story, Marko was tasked by his partner, Black Tom Cassidy, with kidnapping the psychic Madame Web. Juggernaut went on a massive rampage across New York in order to reach Web, with only Spider-Man standing in his way.

In spite of the wall-crawler's best efforts, the hero couldn't prevent the Juggernaut from reaching Web, nearly killing her when the psychic was removed from her special chair. Although he failed to protect Web, the determined Spider-Man continued to pursue Marko.

Persisting in his quest to stop Marko once and for all, Spider-Man threw everything at the Juggernaut. Finally, after countless attempts to stop him, the wall-crawler managed to trick the Juggernaut into a vat of wet cement. There, Marko sank beneath the concrete, where he was trapped for a year.

This notorious defeat is referenced a couple of times in Juggernaut #1. The first mention comes at the beginning of the issue when Marko is demolishing a building for Damage Control. One of the Damage Control agents jokes that the Juggernaut must not like being buried alive. The other agent responds that one would think Marko would be used to it by now, considering his history. The Juggernaut then emerges from the wreckage, coldly remarking that "you'd think wrong."

Later on, this infamous moment is mentioned again, when the Juggernaut is visiting a metahuman named "D-Cel" in the hospital. D-Cel tells Marko about her "RoxTube" channel, where she used her powers for entertainment and pranks. Marko mocks D-Cel for this before asking what he's ever really done, besides knock over buildings and get trapped in concrete for a year.

Ultimately, these references to the Juggernaut's defeat make the character more relatable. By focusing on this moment of defeat and humiliation, especially for a character who is usually thought to be unstoppable, the series gives Marko a more humanizing history. Even after all these years, the Juggernaut remembers his greatest loss, even though he's fought countless battles since then.

Indeed, much of Marko's defeat can be seen in his persistence to stop D-Cel from losing control of her powers. When D-Cel uses her abilities to slow kinetic motion on Marko, he refuses to stop. The Juggernaut persists, refusing to be beaten. Funnily enough, this moment is quite heroic, placing the Juggernaut in Spider-Man's shoes, as a hero who won't give up.

The Juggernaut is also humanized during flashbacks when he is trying to regain his powers in Limbo. Marko muses on these powers, realizing that all he's ever had is the power of Cyttorak. Without these abilities, the Juggernaut feels helpless, much like he did when Spider-Man trapped him beneath the Earth's surface. Marko's constant acknowledgment of feeling powerless makes him a more resonant protagonist than some unstoppable force.

Most people may see the Juggernaut as a massive, unstoppable being, but the new series certainly leans more into his humanity. By focusing on his one major defeat, Marvel brought Marko down to Earth a little bit more.

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