X-Men #12 (Jul 65): The Origin of Professor X! Creative Team: stupifying story by Stan Lee; spectacular layouts by Jack Kirby; slam-bang penciling by Alex Toth; sensational inking by Vince Colletta; the usual lettering by Sam Rosen; kibitzing by the whole blamed bullped!
Starting Line Up: Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Marvel Girl
Synopsis: Cerebro somehow detects Xavier's step-brother, the Juggernaut, heading towards the mansion. The X-Men fortify the mansion. As Juggernaut gets through all the traps, Xavier explains his life story. His father, Brian Xavier, worked at the Alamagordo nuclear test site with Kurt Marko. They were both in an accident in which Brian died. Kurt immediately moves in on his widow, Sharon, to take over the Xavier family fortune. His son from a previous marriage, Cain, moves in and torments Charles. Sharon dies of heartbreak. Cain tries to blackmail his father by accusing him of killing Brian. Charles overhears. There's an explosion in the lab and Kurt saves Charles and Cain. He admits he could have saved Brian if he wanted to, but he didn't kill him. Kurt dies. Xavier's powers develop and allow him to become a star athlete. Charles and Cain are drafted into the Korean War. Cain flees during fire and Charles chases after him. They stumble upton the sacred lost temple of Cyttorak. Cain touches the Cyttorak Ruby and becomes the Juggernaut. But the mountain collapses on him. Xavier manages to escape. Juggernatu has spent the last many years digging himself out. He breaks into the mansion and takes out the X-Men.
Synopsis: This is a neat one. The Juggernaut is really built up well by just smashing through traps while his, and Xavier's, past is revealed. It ends on the cliffhanger that the dude is damn powerful. This is the next phase for the X-Men as they are no longer in competition with the Brotherhood. They will still have some mutant-related stories, but they are moving into generic superhero team area. Like this one. But at least this story gets related to Xavier's personal life.
Significata: First appearance of Juggernaut. His origin as well as part of Xavier's backstory is given. Jack Kirby no longer does the art and just does the layouts.
