The Juggernaut has a legacy of violence and destruction, but maybe Justin Jin can change that perception. Find out in Kid Juggernaut #1 from Marvel Comics! 

KID JUGGERNAUT #1

Writer: Emily Kim
Artists: Minkyu Jung and Peter Nguyen
Colorist: Michael Wiggam
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Editors: Lindsey Cohick and Sarah Brunstad
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: April 30, 2025 

Previously in Kid Juggernaut: This issue collects the origin story of Kid Juggernaut, initially released in Marvel’s Voices: Kid Juggernaut Infinity Comic #1–6. Before Cain Marko, there was Jin Taiko, the original Cyttorak avatar. He aided Japan in invading his home country of South Korea but refused to destroy his village. Because of this defiance, Cyttorak sent Cain Marko to kill him. However, a shard of Cyttorak’s power remained in his family line. 

Kid Juggernaut #1 opens with Justin Jin, a large kid for his age who works at his mother’s bakery in Vancouver. During a shift, he and his mom receive news that his estranged father, who left them ten years ago, has died. She finally agrees to tell Justin the truth about his father but must first step out to handle the will. While she’s gone, Justin receives a mysterious package containing a pendant from his father. When he touches it, he’s imbued with the power of the Juggernaut. His mother reveals that his father has had the pendant but has refused to use the power. Part of his leaving was keeping the pendant safe, but he ultimately abandoned the family. During the conversation, they are attacked by one of Cyttorak’s followers, Malphegor. Just as Justin is about to lose, Doctor Strange intervenes. 

Doctor Strange tells Justin he must kill Malphegor. During their next battle, Justin considers it. He dons the Juggernaut armor and fights back, but something doesn’t sit right. He realizes the real Doctor Strange would never tell him to kill. That’s when the truth is revealed: “Doctor Strange” is actually Cyttorak, who vows to destroy Kid Juggernaut. When Justin returns home, he and his mother agree he needs training, so he enrolls in Avengers Academy. 

I haven’t read Marvel’s Voices run, where this character debuted, so Kid Juggernaut #1 felt like a brand-new story. I was pleasantly surprised by the Asian American representation and fresh interpretation of a legacy character. 

The backstory is nuanced and full of potential. As an adult reader, I wanted to explore the moral gray area more. The review copy cover reads, “Discover the Origin of Marvel’s Hit New Hero,” from that tagline alone, I had a sense of what was coming. When the moral dilemma – whether to kill Malphegor – was introduced, I predicted Justin would refuse and that “Doctor Strange” would turn out to be Cyttorak. The Juggernaut legacy is steeped in violence and bloodshed, so I would’ve liked to see Justin wrestle with that legacy more before making the “heroic” choice. A bit more time in the gray could have made the story stronger. However, this comic is likely aimed at a younger audience, who might not need that ambiguity as much as I do. Hence the word “Kid” in the title. 

Artistically, the comic alternates between two styles: a modern Marvel aesthetic for the present-day scenes and a more painterly, dreamlike approach for the flashbacks. The latter reminded me of Peach Momoko’s work at times. While the present-day art is solid, I found the mom’s shirt oddly rendered at times, but the flashback style resonated with me. Great visual storytelling. 

I think this story is excellent. As an Asian American, I hesitated to pick up Kid Juggernaut #1 as I worried it would reduce the character to a mindless brute. But Justin has real nuance, and I hope to see that explored more deeply in future issues. With that in mind, Kid Juggernaut #1 earns 4 out of 5 stars. 

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Kid Juggernaut

80%

80%

Solid Read

Kid Juggernaut #1 tells an excellent origin story that could have lingered a bit longer in its moral complexity. Still, it’s a fantastic comic for young readers and a promising start for Marvel’s newest hero.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  8
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (1 Votes)
  3.8