Omega-level mutant
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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 exist beyond the boundaries of physical existence. Immortality is also a possibility, but not a requirement. 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 requirements.
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[edit] 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 sees the result of experiments the Celestials carried out on early lifeforms, on behalf of the abstract 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 the Abstracts. This would bring about the end of the universe. By creating humanity the Abstracts are ensuring that the cycle of life continues to revolve. This final state of evolution is Phoenix [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 Kree claims 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.
[edit] Other mutant classifications
There are also more classifications of mutants in the Marvel Universe, though only mentioned briefly by Apocalypse, Sentinels, the US Government and during the "Age of Apocalypse" crossover. They are Alpha (Apocalypse classes himself, his "Horsemen", and a few other especially powerful mutants, such as Wolverine or Cyclops as Alpha level), 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").
[edit] 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. Because Jean is known as a Class 5 mutant, Class 5 in the movie may be considered equivalent to the Omega-level designation in the comics.
[edit] Confirmed Omega-level mutants
| Name of confirmed Omega-Level Mutant | Revealed by |
|---|---|
| Elixir | (New Mutants vol. 2 # 12 by Beast) |
| Iceman | (X-Men Forever) |
| Phoenix/Jean Grey | (X-Men: Forever by Professor X, also known as a White Phoenix of the Crown.) |
| 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) |
| Rachel Summers | (Uncanny X-Men #208 by Nimrod. Also wielded the Phoenix) |
| Vulcan | (X-Men: Deadly Genesis by Emma Frost, Uncanny X-Men #477) |
