Warning: Contains SPOILERS for X-Men: Red #16In the world of Marvel Comics’ X-Men, there are few topics as hotly debated as the power scaling of Omega-level mutants like Storm or Jean Grey. For years, the definition behind this classification was nebulous at best, but in recent years, the creative forces behind the Merry Mutants have done a great deal to define just what Omega power really means. And thanks to Arakko’s ongoing Genesis War, Storm herself has weighed in on the debate and defined what the real measure of an Omega mutant truly is.
X-Men: Red #16 by Al Ewing, Yildiray Çinar, Federico Blee, and VC’s Ariana Maher sees Storm face off against the Horseman of Apocalypse in the ruins of Port Prometheus. Effortlessly defeating Famine, Ororo turns her attention to the pyrokinetic War and responds to her opponent’s taunts regarding power level by saying, “And battle between Omega-level mutants has never been a matter of power, little flame. It’s all about versatility.”
As with War’s brother before her, Storm makes quick work of her opponent, and while this feat is impressive in and of itself, it also sheds a great deal of light on just what Omega-level mutantdom really means.
Storm And The X-Men Think Outside The Box
X-Men fans have long known that Storm is one of the most powerful heroes around, but her distinction between power and versatility puts the mutants’ power rankings into perspective. After all, some of the most powerful Omegas don’t put much thought into their abilities, while others like Iceman or Magneto are incredibly creative with their powers, giving them an added edge in combat against more straightforward foes. But with the amount of energy at her fingertips and the innate reverence she has always had for her mutant gifts, Storm has had no choice but to use her powers as creatively as possible much more often than her fellow X-Men.
Omega Power Is Nothing Without Creativity
Arakko is a culture built on Omega mutants, and as such, they treat their powers – or weapons as they prefer to call them – with the reverence they deserve in a similar manner to Ororo. But in many ways, some of their greatest warriors treat these same weapons as little more than blunt instruments. War herself is a perfect example of this as she sees her Omega-level flames as an all-out trump card before ultimately burning against a more versatile power set like Storm’s.
Storm may not be the most powerful Omega-level mutant out there, but she’s undoubtedly one of the most versatile, and therefore the most dangerous. More than once since joining the Great Ring of Arakko, Ororo has proven her worth as one of their greatest warriors. And among Marvel Comics’ X-Men, Storm has always been the one to beat.
X-Men: Red #16 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
