Warning! Spoilers ahead for X-Men #13!

As an avid X-Men fan, I must it that Marvel has a problem with its Omega-level mutants, and now that Professor X has been officially confirmed as one, I can’t deny the glaring issue that being “Omega-level” doesn’t carry the same weight it used to. The definition of Omega has varied from era to era, but despite its changes, there are far too many heroes who have been dubbed “Omega-level.”

In X-Men #13 – written by Jed Mackay, with art by Netho Diaz – Kid Omega confirms that status as the most powerful mutants.

Sure, it is exciting to see your favorite X-Men achieve new heights, but part of the appeal of a mutant being Omega-level was its rarity.

The X-Men Have Had A Surge In Omega-Level Mutants – What Does Being ”Omega” Mean Anymore?

X-Men #13 – Written By Jed Mackay; Art By Netho Diaz; Available Now From Marvel Comics

I think Charles Xavier’s status as an Omega-level mutant was a long time coming and makes a considerable amount of sense when looking at his past feats and that he was once Earth’s most powerful telepath. However, Professor X hasn’t been the only one to receive this upgrade, and I feel the term “Omega” has been thrown around too frivolously, causing it to lose its potency. For instance, a new villain known as the Hag, who claims not to be a mutant, calls herself “ten times Omega” but then gets taken out by Rogue in their following fight.

While there will always be new Omega-level mutants, I’m surprised so many X-Men have been given power boosts.

In X-Men #13, Maggott of all heroes has also been gifted Omega powers thanks to Storm’s Eternity upgrade.

I’m Very Curious About How Storm & Jean Grey’s “Beyond Omega-Level” Upgrades Will Pan Out

How Long Will The X-Men’s Staples God-Like Power Last?

The X-Men’s primary Omega heroes have always been Storm and Jean Grey, but now that the X-Men are gaining more Omega-level mutants, Ororo and Jean have received god-level upgrades. Ororo has since become "Eternal Storm" after being possessed by Eternity, and Jean Grey has ascended to godhood after being accepted by Marvel’s cosmic pantheon. Though Eternal Storm and the Phoenix are extremely compelling, and I can’t wait to see how their stories pan out, I’m worried about the stability of having so many overwhelmingly powerful heroes.

As seen with Maggott, Storm being possessed by Eternity allows her to give heroes an “Omega” upgrade, which leads me to believe that Omega-level mutants are being phased out as the pinnacle of mutant power. As the term “Omega-level” has been more clearly defined, I can’t help but wonder how far mutants like Jean and Storm will go in one-upping their prior power levels. While Eternal Storm and cosmic Jean Grey are undeniably cool, X-Men don’t always need to achieve Omega-level or have infinite power to be interesting characters.

Mutants Don’t Need Larger-Than-Life Power Upgrades To Be Compelling

X-Men Like Gambit & Rogue Are Amazing Without Omega-Level Abilities

I it it is exciting to see your favorite hero get a power upgrade or reach a new height in their abilities, but some of my favorite characters, like Nightcrawler, Kitty Pryde, and Wolverine, aren’t compelling due to their power alone. While Wolverine is a powerhouse with his berserker rage and healing factor, I’d argue Logan’s most compelling stories are when he’s at his lowest or attempting to take on foes who are initially much more powerful than him. Some of the X-Men’s greatest heroes are not Omega-level mutants, and they don’t need to achieve that status to remain interesting.

As mutants become more powerful across the board, I’m intrigued whether X-Men will be able to maintain their large cast of Omega-level mutants or if this surge in power is temporary.

I’ve seen many debates over which X-Men should be the next Omega-level mutant, and Gambit is a fan favorite that often gets brought up, as he had Omega-level potential prior to Mister Sinister cutting out a piece of his brain. However, I think Gambit’s struggle to find a way to control his powers was vastly more fascinating than him actually reaching Omega-level status. Not only was he able to witness what could have been when he encountered his alternate universe counterpart, New Son, but he remained a captivating X-Man despite no longer being able to achieve his full potential.

Omega-level mutants, by all means, should have limitless power, as Professor X states there is “no upper limit,” and while open-ended, this should make what qualifies as Omega level more unique, but many X-Men have already achieved this feat. While I always like to see heroes reach new heights, the concept of “Omega-level” mutants has gradually become more varying and loosely utilized. As mutants become more powerful across the board, I’m intrigued whether X-Men will be able to maintain their large cast of Omega-level mutants or if this surge in power is temporary to the current era.

X-Men #13 is available now from Marvel Comics!