Omega-level mutants are the most powerful mutants in all of the Marvel Universe. As more and more time has passed, more and more individuals have achieved the classification. Easily, the most famous omega-level mutant is none other than Jean Grey herself. Her power and influence with the X-Men and within the Marvel Universe as a whole has made her one of the most important mutants of all time.
However, another, lesser-known omega-level mutant possesses a similar powerset to Jean’s that some argue make him even more powerful. Quentin Quire, or Kid Omega, is a newer character than Jean, but has still come to show quite the impressive display of power, despite being a smaller character in the vast amount of X-Men. Quentin’s own abilities have easily earned him his omega-level classification, especially considering just how powerful he truly is. However, in comparison to Jean, there’s a lot of argument to be had on who is truly the more powerful mutant. Looking at various facts and factors, here is our contribution on Quentin Quire vs Jean Grey: Who is the more powerful omega-level mutant?
11 Enemy Power Level: Tie
Both Jean Grey and Quentin Quire possess incredibly strong psychic abilities. The two are actually incredibly similar in regard to their power sets. Likewise, both have also been friend and foe to the X-Men. In terms of enemy power sets, it’s a bit hard to gauge as neither of them have a particular single enemy or the like.
Both have faced the same kinds of villains, or at least opponents with similar powers as other opponents. Unfortunately, some of those opponents include the very X-Men that everyone knows and loves. Furthermore, both individuals have been defeated by their respective team of X-Men in some form or fashion, making it so that their enemies are fairly equal in terms of their success/loss ratios.
10 Main Inherent Power: Quentin Quire
In terms of raw potential power, Quentin Quire actually has the advantage over Jean. For years, Jean’s own powers were suppressed by mental blocks established by Charles Xavier. Though Jean eventually regained full control over her abilities, she was still not quite to the same potential level as Quentin.
It wasn’t until the Phoenix Force found Jean and amplified her powers when she truly became a force to be reckoned with. Therefore, Quentin has the advantage in this regard thanks to his lack of an external source of power.
9 Main External Power: Quentin Quire
Once again, due to the similarities between the two, Quentin has the edge over Jean in the sense that his powers come close to matching hers, even when shes powered by the Phoenix Force. Though Jean has certainly accomplished more with her own abilities, Quentin has managed to surpass her in certain ways, and at a younger age, all without the Phoenix Force.
For example, Quentin’s psychic abilities are so strong that he is able to generate physical manifestations of objects from his min, using only his mind. This means that using just his thoughts, Quentin was able to make a physical object out of literally nothing. While these objects were temporary, it was still an incredible display of psychic skill, and certainly, one that Jean Grey has yet to demonstrate.
8 Allies: Jean Grey
Considering Jean’s extensive history with the X-Men, she definitely outmatches Quentin in terms of allies. Over the years, Jean has not only served alongside various other heroic mutants, but befriended them and even come to call some of them family. Likewise, she is even in good graces with several members of the Avengers.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Quentin. Since he originally started off as a villain, Quentin has always seemed to struggle to form strong bonds. While he is eventually able to do so, his closest allies would most certainly lose in a head to head battle with the likes of Jean’s allies.
7 Experience: Jean Grey
Jean Grey definitely has the advantage of time on her side. Not only is her character older than Quentin in the Marvel Universe, but Jean has a much more extensive comic book history than he does as well. As one of the original 5 X-Men, Jean Grey has gained a lot of experience in a lot of varying fields over the years. Including Jean’s extended absences, she still has far more experience logged as a character than Quentin can only dream of coming close to.
It is a little unfair to Quentin in this regard, as he is easily nowhere near as popular as Jean, nor has he been around for as long as she has. However, that doesn’t change the fact that Jean has seen far more and undergone far more as a character than Quentin has.
6 Personality: Jean Grey
Each character is arguably more intriguing than the other. Jean’s more serious approach to situations and calming tone can easily be more favorable to audiences than Quentin’s snarky remarks and pessimistic attitude and vice versa. The thing that truly gives Jean an edge over Quentin in this situation is through the inspiring example she set for the X-Men in her years of history with the team.
Despite all the troubles Jean has gone through and the damage she has caused, she still stands as one of the most important mutants in history, thanks to everything she meant to the individual members. Jean’s inspiring example influenced many generations of X-Men who came after her and has since made her the shining example of what Mutants can represent upon her most recent return.
5 Strength: Jean Grey
Without a doubt, Jean Grey is the stronger of the two characters. Especially with the Phoenix Force amplifying her own abilities, Jean is virtually unstoppable. From a powers standpoint, she has certainly done far more good and caused far more harm than Quentin has ever come close to.
Likewise, Jean has a stronger sense of character than Quentin as well. As previously mentioned, her example has echoed through many generations of X-Men. However, considering all the times that Jean has died and come back, the things that her character has undergone have only made her a stronger personality over the years.
4 Equipment: Tie
Frankly, neither character really uses external equipment to give them any advantage in battle. If anything, Jean has been shown to have an advanced suit of armor designed to protect her from physical and mental attacks. However, the armor itself is not typically associated with Jean.
Really, the only external boosts that either receive are in the form of the Phoenix Force for Jean and the drug, Kick, for Quentin. In the past, Kick as been shown to greatly amplify Quentin’s own abilities. However, he has eventually grown to not only no longer rely on the drug, but grow more powerful than he had ever been with the drug. While there may be some argument to be had in regards to equipment, neither really rely on anything of the sort.
3 Durability: Tie
Both characters have proven to be highly durable in their time within the Marvel Universe. As many already know, Jean herself is in a constant state of death and rebirth, much like the Phoenix itself. Quentin, on the other hand, hasn’t truly died, though he has existed without a body.
For a time, Quentin’s mind and consciousness were actually stored in a jar that communicated telepathically with passerby's. While a new body was eventually found for him, this was still a rather humorous chapter in X-Men history. Even though they are both some of the most powerful telepaths that Marvel has to offer, both characters are incredibly difficult to truly get rid of.
2 Biggest Feat: Jean Grey
One of Jean’s darkest moments is also one of her most powerful and well-known. While under the influence of the Phoenix Force, Jean used her powers to completely obliterate the D’Bari race. This act of Genocide was such an incredible display of her power that it is still considered one of the most important moments in X-Men history to date.
After realizing that she couldn’t control this power, Jean made the ultimate sacrifice and took her own life, killing the Phoenix Force and saving everyone from any further destruction. However, the damage had still been done and Jean had slipped too far. Thankfully, Quentin hasn’t even come close to accomplishing such a feat, though it does go to show just how powerful Jean can be when she’s not in control.
1 Winner: Jean Grey
Especially with the Phoenix Force at her side, Quentin Quire wouldn’t stand a chance against Jean Grey. Though he may be able to hold his own against a normal version of Jean thanks to his raw power alone, Jean has several other factors up her sleeve that could easily be used to put Quentin down, if the need arose.
Furthermore, considering how the genocide of an entire alien race was accomplished by a single member of the X-Men, Jean Grey is especially not an average opponent within comics.