WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Darkhold: Omega #1, available now from Marvel Comics.
The Marvel Universe has long been home to some of the most powerful heroes in the world. Through the pages of the eldritch Darkhold, a few Marvel heroes have been twisted into nightmarish versions of themselves in a bid to stave off the threat of the dark god Chthon. As astounding as the sight of these demonic Avengers is, they pale in comparison to the return of a long forgotten hero in Darkhold: Omega #1 (by Steve Orlando, Cian Tormey, Roberto Poggi, Marc Deering, Walden Wong, Jesus Aburtov, and VC's Clayton Cowles).
After returning from their trip into the Darkhold, the nightmarish heroes are turned towards the threat of an emerging Chthon. While the elder god's armies are no match for their assembled might, the god himself proves to be another story. However, Chthon isn't the only character to take center stage in the issue. Soon enough the battle is interrupted by a blinding flash of light, with the long lost Marvel hero Omega the Unknown making a surprising return.
Omega the Unknown may not be immediately recognizable to many, but the classic hero is one of Marvel's strangest heroes. Created by the alien Protarians in the hopes of succeeding them, the artificial humanoid being known as Model X3Z would become a warrior among the stars before finding its way to Earth. 1975's Omega the Unknown #1 (by Steve Gerber, Mary Skrenes, and Jim Mooney) told the origin story of the unusual being as well as its ascension to the rank of superhero.
Omega was very formidable as a hero, capable of creating powerful kinetic blasts and employing telekinesis. However, if left unchecked, its power was capable of destroying the planet. In 1979's Defenders #77 (by Steven Grant, Mark Gruenwald, and Herb Trimpe), the young hero sacrificed itself rather than see the residents of its adopted planet come to harm. At the time, it was a heartbreaking moment that seemed like it could never be overcome. Now, over forty years later, Darkhold: Omega reveals that death was never the end for this forgotten hero
Once the threat of Chthon has been dealt with, Omega returns to Earth alongside what appears to be the remains of the android that served as its surrogate mother decades ago. As explained to the Wasp by the Mother-Head, Omega didn't die that fateful day over forty years ago. Instead, the android stepped through dimensions only to be lost somewhere along the way. In the ensuing years, the Mother-Head has been preparing for its eventual return.
Neither Omega nor the Mother-Head seem to have any ill-intentions at the moment. However, the question remains as to whether or not the android has learned to control its powers enough to no longer pose a threat to the world. Regardless, the Darkhold has made possible the return of a hero who is likely to be a formidable force for good in the days ahead.