Omega-level mutant
One of the few confirmed Omega-level mutants (art by Chris Bachalo)
Omega-level mutant is a fictional designation for a certain powerful class of super-powered individuals in the Marvel Comics universe to indicate mutants with the ability (or potential) to transcend and exist beyond the boundaries of physical existence, as beings of pure thought. Immortality is also a possibility, but not a requirement. Vast psionic abilities, such as being able to control matter and energy on the sub-molecular scale, as well as having a body capable of withstanding such power levels without external help, also seem to be common factors.
Omega-level mutation
The term was originally coined for the mutants who pose the greatest threat[citation needed], but Professor X optimistically changed the definition for those with unlimited potential in their powers.[citation needed] The limited series X-Men: Forever spoke of how humanity in the Marvel Universe represents the results of experiments the Celestials carried out on early lifeforms, on behalf of the abstract cosmic entities of the Marvel Universe (Eternity, Death, and so forth). The reason for these experiments was to ensure that a race of beings would eventually evolve that would surpass and in turn replace all of these Abstracts. This would hypothetically bring about the end of the current universe. By creating humanity the Abstracts are ensuring that the cycle of life continues to revolve, and create a new reality. This final state of evolution is Eternity[citation needed], believed to be what all humanity will eventually become. Whether this is the same as the "Destiny Force" that the Supreme Intelligence of the Kree claims all humanity has the evolutionary potential to reach, is uncertain. Those with Omega (the last) potential are the ones closest to reaching this final stage of evolution. Whether their potential results in turning themselves into Phoenixes (like Jean Grey and Quentin Quire have), or their descendants doing so, within Omega-level mutants lies the potential to bring about the end.
Other mutant classifications
There are also more classifications of mutants in the Marvel Universe - though only mentioned briefly by Apocalypse, various models of Sentinel and the US Government. They are Alpha (such as Apocalypse and the majority of his Twelve), Beta, and Epsilon-Delta. (Joey and Gailyn Bailey, the nephew and niece of Jean Grey, were regarded as Epsilon-Delta by Sentinels during "Operation: Zero Tolerance").
During the "Age of Apocalypse" crossover, some mutants are also mentioned as being Alphas, but this is not considered canon in the Earth-616 reality.
Classifications in other media
In the 2006 movie X-Men: The Last Stand, the mutants use a classification system to organize themselves according to the level of their powers, assigning each mutant a number from 1 to 5 (one being the least and five being the most powerful class). Callisto tells Magneto at the first meeting of the Brotherhood of Mutants that he and Pyro are the only ones in the building above a Class 3 (though in the novelization it is said that Callisto herself is also above a Class 3). Thus, Callisto, Quill, Arclight, Psylocke, and the many other mutants present are all apparently only mid-level in their abilities at best in the movie. Since it is stated elsewhere in the movie that Jean Grey is the only Class 5 mutant Xavier knew of, Pyro and Magneto must be Class 4 mutants. Because Jean is known as a Class 5 mutant, Class 5 in the movie may or may not be considered equivalent to the Omega-level designation in the comics.
Confirmed Omega-level mutants
The following is a list of Omega level mutants that have been confirmed as such within the pages of a Marvel comic. There are a number of other characters who have demonstrated vast powers which may suggest an Omega classification is appropriate, but have not been officially referred to as such.
| Confirmed Omega-level mutants | Revealed by |
|---|---|
| Elixir | New Mutants vol. 2 # 12 by Beast |
| Iceman | X-Men Forever |
| Phoenix/Jean Grey | X-Men: Forever by Professor X; Jean is also known as a White Phoenix of the Crown. |
| Rachel Summers | Uncanny X-Men #207 by Nimrod. Rachel was also host for the Phoenix. |
| Mister M | The 198 Files |
| Franklin Richards | The 198 Files |
| Kid Omega | New X-Men #154 (appears as Phoenix host) and Phoenix Endsong #2 by various sources |
| Mr. Immortal | GLX-Mas by Marvel Comics's Editors [1] |
| Vulcan | X-Men: Deadly Genesis by Emma Frost, Uncanny X-Men #477 |