Fortunately, we don’t have to wait two months the way readers in 1965 would for the outcome of the story that began in X-Men #12. Instead, we can dive right into the second part of the tale. Where the first issue served as an origin story for Professor X and his stepbrother Cain, it also delivered a slow, suspense-filled buildup as the Juggernaut closed in, taking out defenses and proving unstoppable. This second part is much more about the inevitable battle that follows: The Juggernaut vs. Professor X and his X-Men.

We quickly bear witness to how the Juggernaut’s mere presence radiates force, and how his helmet leaves him immune to the Professor’s powerful psychic powers. The X-Men scramble to hold him back and delay him, while the Professor scrambles to find a way to win the day.

I’ll avoid a blow-by-blow of what happens, and how our heroes push back and delay the ultimate demise of Professor X. But cameos abound as the Professor finds help—in the Human Torch (though not before drawing the attention of the Teen Brigade and Daredevil).

In the end, it’s the X-Men teaming up with the Human Torch to remove the Juggernaut’s helmet so that Professor X can deliver the winning blow.

Originality & Continuity

This story picks up perfectly after the last one and does not disappoint in the buildup. The threat is one that the X-Men seem unable to handle on their own at this time, and in fact, even in the end, they wind up worse for wear—something so rare in stories that lead to a big confrontation, where the ending can often feel anticlimactic. Instead, what we have here is the Juggernaut given an Achilles’ heel in his helmet.

The story also links in to the close timing of Sue and Reed’s pending nuptials, as referenced in the dialogue of the Human Torch (cross-marketing plug at its best!). This issue benefits from the human torch on the cover (and in the issue) and it gets to plug the Fantastic Four story of 1965!

Characters & Development

Last issue built up the lore behind Professor X and introduced his stepbrother. This issue, however, offers much less in terms of the development of our heroic team. Although we do see the Juggernaut interact with our heroes as a powerhouse—and witness his closing plea about his pending defeat by Xavier—it’s easy to see how, in later years, more depth can be added to this Silver Age antagonist.

Story & Art

One word: Action. Last issue had the buildup; this issue is mostly about the climactic battle—pure comic-book heroics that keep you on the edge of your seat, turning page after page as the X-Men fight to protect the Professor. Each of them takes some rather significant blows. The art and dialogue keep the stakes high and the blows hard as we watch them try and fail over and over until ultimately the team manages to put the a stop to the the Juggernaut

However:

Marvel Girl – In Reserve

I’m not going to diminish Marvel Girl’s contributions in this issue. When we see her in action, she excels—lifting the Juggernaut from the ground not once, but twice. The Professor keeps her in reserve and with him through much of the conflict, claiming he has a plan for her that never seems to show up.

There is the optimistic view: he sees her as the most powerful X-Man and the best last hope if it becomes necessary, so he wants her to hold back. Then there is the pessimistic view: she’s the lone female member of the team, written in a 1965 tone and perspective. You see this perhaps reinforced in the finale, where she plays nurse for the bedridden members of the team.

I tend to take comics in the scope of the times they’re from, but this one hits me a little. It’s far from the first or last time she (or Sue, or Wasp, or…) is held to a lower standard and kept in reserve, avoiding the big punch. It’s by far the most significant flaw in this story, in my book. But what do you think?