There's a misconception surrounding the Celestials in Marvel Comics. They're often thought to be the beings that created the universe, but this isn't the case. Instead, these beings seized authority over various parts of the Marvel universe, acting as judges simply because they had the might to do so.

Humanoid beings with powers impossible to gauge, every Celestial character fills a particular role and carries it out for millions of years. Making matters even more interesting, some beings with different histories receive the name "Celestial" in separate universes, like the MCU. While many Celestials possess similar abilities, analyzing their accomplishments can help establish their relative might.

Updated on September 29, 2023 by John Dodge: One of the most powerful races in the Marvel universe, the Celestial can restore and destroy whole worlds at will. Since their presence can change everything, most Marvel heroes prefer to avoid them. This list has been updated with more powerful Marvel Celestials.

Related
10 Strongest Marvel Super Soldiers, Ranked
The Marvel Universe is filled with all kinds of super-soldiers, and their varying origins create a major gap in their power levels.

30 Mantis (MCU Version)

First Appearance: Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2, Written & directed by James Gunn

Mantis is surprised in the MCU.

Just like Star-Lord, the MCU changed Mantis' origin. Instead of being the soon-to-be Celestial Madonna, she's the daughter and caretaker of Ego, who abused her for many years until the Guardians of the Galaxy rescued her in the second installment of the film series.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Superhuman strength, stamina, and reflexes
  • Emotion Manipulation
  • Sleep inducing powers

Mantis is a half-Celestial, which means she has superhuman strength, stamina, and reflexes. Additionally, she can sense and control the emotions of others only by touching them, as well as inducing sleep in her enemies. This ability is powerful enough to control powerful beings, such as Ego himself, and Thanos.

29 Star-Lord (MCU Version)

First Appearance: Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy Prequel Infinite Comic #1, By Writer Dan Abnett And Penciler Andrea Di Vito

Star-Lord taps into his Celestial powers in the Guardians of The Galaxy movies.

One of the biggest changes the MCU made to Star-Lord was revealing him to be a human/Celestial hybrid. Star-Lord never got to unleash his full powers when they activated in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but his achievements became a testament to his potential. Star-Lord even fought Ego to a stalemate, although he admittedly had significant help.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Possessed Immortality (Temporary)
  • Created/Manipulated Energy (Temporary)
  • Altered His Cellular Structure (Temporary)

Star-Lord demonstrated the ability to create energy out of nothing and could make it do whatever he wanted. Star-Lord also displayed a form of shapeshifting when he turned himself into an enormous Pac-Man. He most likely would’ve developed the same powers as Ego, but his powers didn’t last long.

28 The Star Child

First Appearance: S.H.I.E.L.D. (Vol. 1) #4, By Writer Jonathan Hickman, Penciler and Inker Dustin Weaver, Colorist Christina Strain, and Letterer Todd Klein

Marvel Star Child speaking in math while Da Vinci holds him

The Star Child is an infant Celestial found and raised by the Brotherhood of the Shield after Leonardo da Vinci found him in the sun. Four years after the team adopted him, the Star Child found Newton's Quiet Math in the scientist's study. Since he only speaks in math, this theory completely altered his mind.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Size Manipulation
  • Speaks in Math
  • Time Traveling Abilities

Although he's only a child, the Star Child is still a celestial, which makes him more powerful than hybrid Celestials. In the brief time he accompanied the Brotherhood, he showcased the ability to travel in time and project energy from stars through his head and hands.

1:57
Related
The 45 Best Superpowers Of All Time, Ranked
Superheroes and villains have incredible powers, and comic fans have spent decades exploring them. For obvious reasons, some are better than others.

27 Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur)

First Appearance: X-Factor (Vol. 1) #5, By Writer Bob Layton, Penciler Jackson Guice, Inker Josef Rubinstein, Colorist Petra Scotese, And Letterer Joe Rosen

En Sabah Nur, aka Apocalypse, clenches his fist in rage.

While admittedly blurring the lines a bit, Apocalypse is a living agent of evolution whose armor comprises Celestial technology. As a mutant, Apocalypse's heritage connects him to the Celestials. Paired with his status as an External, he boasts vast, varied, and ever-growing powers.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Possesses Immortality
  • Perfects Control over His Molecular Structure
  • Harnesses and Manipulates Celestial Energy
  • Causes the Collapse of the Bronze Age
  • Conquers the Earth in Alternate Timelines
  • Helps Govern on Krakoa's Quiet Council

Apocalypse used the Celestial's sentient Ship as his headquarters and utilized their technology to transform other mutants into his Horseman. Since Krakoa's advent as a nation, Apocalypse took an interest in crafting a mutant school of magic, before joining his family in Amenth.

26 Ashema The Listener

First Appearance: Heroes Reborn: The Return #1, By Writer Peter David, Penciler Salvador Larroca, Inker Art Thibert, Colorist Steve Buccellato, And Letterer Richard Starkings

Ashema the Listener in her Celestial and human forms

Following the Onslaught event, heroes like the Fantastic Four and the Avengers vanished into a strange world known as Counter-Earth. Not to be confused with the High Evolutionary's created world, this Counter-Earth was created by the incredibly powerful Franklin Richards. During the event, the Celestial, Ashema The Listener, took on the form of a human woman and sought Franklin out.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Defies Fellow Celestials to Protect Franklin Richards and His Counter-Earth
  • Learns to Understand Human Emotions
  • Recognizes the Importance of Humanity
  • Contains a World Inside of Her Body

The Celestials task Ashema with taking Franklin Richards to the One Above All for evaluation. However, young Franklin's hopeful ideals sway her decision. While Franklin was originally told he must destroy the world he created, Ashema keeps it safe within her own body as a favor to Franklin, allowing the heroes there to return to Earth.

25 Jemiah The Analyzer

First Appearance: Eternals (Vol.1) #7, By Writer and Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker and Letterer Mike Royer, and Colorist Glynis Wein

Jemiah the Analyzer arriving to a humanoid planet

Created by Jack Kirby for the first volume of Eternals, Jemiah the Analyzer is renowned for having rebelled against the Aspirants and First Firmament. Together with a whole team, he destroyed the First Cosmos and turned it into the Second Cosmos. This happened half a dozen times more according to the multiversal cycles. Before the Seventh Cosmos, Jemiah was one of the Celestials who defeated Knull, the Father of Symbiotes, and send him into the void.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Shattered the First Cosmos
  • Banished Knull into the void
  • Wrote the Fractal Scriptures of Jemiah the Analyzer

Jemiah the Analyzer is famous for being smart. On top of his brute force, he's a committed archivist. According to Incredible Hercules #117, by Greg Pak and Fred van Lente, Jemiah wrote the Fractal Scriptures, something like the Celestial Bible for Eternals.

24 Gamiel The Manipulator

First Appearance: Marvel Monsters: Devil Dinosaur #1, By Writer Tim Sniegoski And Penciler/Inker Eric Powell

Gamiel The Manipulator from Marvel Comics delivers a monologue.

While almost all the Celestials possess similar power levels, there’s no question Gamiel remains on the weaker side of the spectrum. He has the usual Celestial powers but is the youngest of his species. As a result, the other Celestials assign Gamiel to watch over Earth.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Transported the Hulk from the Future to Fight in a War He Created
  • Brought about the Kree/Skrull War

Gamiel doesn’t have the same towering stature as other Celestials, his size is roughly equivalent to the Hulk's. Capable of destroying worlds, Gamiel earns his title "the Manipulator" after sparking the four-million-year war between the Skrulls and the Kree.

23 Groffon The Regurger

First Appearance: Deadpool (Vol. 7) #1, By Writer Skottie Young, Penciler/Inker/Colorist Nic Klein, And Letterer Jeff Eckleberry

Groffon the Regurger from Deadpool vomits matter.

Marvel's Merc-With-A-Mouth Deadpool encountered an obscure Celestial known as Groffon the Regurger who had a unique drive that separated it from the other Celestials. Groffon consumed planets and then immediately vomited the material back onto the planet.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Consumed Planets
  • Produced Offspring to Fight for Him on Demand

Groffon did this to make the planet more suitable for its offspring, which were known as Gurgers. Deadpool hoped to bring in new clients to his mercenary business, so he arranged for Groffon to attack Earth. He used a special gun to kill Groffon, ending the threat of one of the oddest Celestials in the Marvel Universe.

22 Gammenon The Gatherer

First Appearance: First Appearance: Eternals (Vol. 1) #7, By Writer/Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker John Verpoorten, Colorist Glynis Wein, And Letterer Irving Watanabe

The Celestial known as Gammenon the Gatherer

One of the Celestials who rebelled against the Aspirants, Gammenon became one of the beings in charge of the multiversal cycles. Specifically, he's in charge of collecting specimens of all planets for experimentation using a gather-rod that captures and tranquilizes his victims.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Shattered the First Cosmos
  • Created Eternals & Deviants
  • Fought Thor and Odin
  • Data & Specimen Collector

Gammenon is particularly known for fighting Thor and Odin in Thor #300, together with his peers, Arishem, Nezzar, Oneg, and Jemiah, among others. This group of Celestials would have killed the Asgardians if Gaea hadn't pleaded for her son before this happened.

Related
A Rough Map of What Lies Beyond the Marvel Multiverse
The Marvel Universe and Multiverse are already massive, but everything beyond them is even more astonishing than most fans can imagine.

21 Ajak Celestia

First Appearance: A.X.E.: Judgment Day (Vol. 1) #6, By Writer Kieron Gillen, Pencilers and Inkers Valerio Schiti and Ivan Fiorelli, Colorist Marte Gracia, and Letterer Clayton Cowles

An image of the godly Ajak Celestia in Marvel Comics

Originally one of the 100 Eternals that were created by the First Host, Ajak debuted in comics in 1976, in Eternals #2, created by Jack Kirby. However, her character was completely transformed during Judgment Day. In the sixth issue of the series, the Progenitor sacrifices himself and gives her all his powers, as an atonement for what she has done.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • New Celestial
  • Power Bestowal
  • Cosmic Awareness

As an Eternal, Ajak was already a complete superhuman, but once she became Ajak Celestial, the Progenitor gave her all his powers. This means she now can transcend time and shape-shift. Besides, she can bestow her powers on others and she possesses cosmic awareness.

20 Eson The Searcher

First Appearance: Eternals (Vol. 1) #9, By Writer/Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker/Letterer Mike Royer, And Colorist Glynis Wein

The Guardians of the Galaxy learning about the Infinity Stones in a vision that shows Eson the Searcher

The comic version of Eson the Searcher was powerful, but he also perished, making him one of the few Celestials ever truly defeated. The MCU version of the character became the only comic book Celestial to appear in the early phases.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Gave Apocalypse Access to Celestial Technology and Power
  • Fought alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes to Repel the Dark Celestials
  • Controls an Unmeasurable Amount of Cosmic Energy

In the MCU, the Collector showed the Guardians of the Galaxy a hologram of the time Eson struck the ground with his scepter, effortlessly obliterating an entire race of beings. Similar to his comic counterpart, this Eson died as well. While capable of dealing with significant amounts of destruction, both versions of Eson the Searcher proved susceptible to defeat.

19 The Phoenix Force

First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 1) #101, By Writer Chris Claremont, Penciler Dave Cockrum, Inker Frank Chiaramonte, Colorist Bonnie Wilford, And Letterer John Costanza

Jean Grey summons flames as the Dark Phoenix.

The Phoenix Force’s nature keeps changing from one story to another, but it's accepted as being associated with cosmic powers, which qualifies it as a Celestial in many iterations. Jean Grey is by far the Phoenix Force's best-known host. However, most readers don't realize the Phoenix initially copies Jean's likeness and acts on its own accord, rather than possessing and corrupting her.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Experienced and Brought about Cycles of Death and Rebirth
  • Destroyed Billions of Lives in One Action
  • Restored the Mutant Gene for Millions of Mutants
  • Possesses Limitless Cosmic Energy
  • Can Warp Reality

As the Dark Phoenix, the Phoenix Force could wipe mutants and humans alike from existence, snuffing out billions of lives after feeding off and absorbing a star's energy. Later on, the Phoenix would demonstrate life-giving abilities, helping Hope Summers and the Scarlet Witch restore the mutant gene among humanity.

Related
10 X-Men Comics We Wish Were Canon
The X-Men have experienced more alternate timelines and realities than almost any other Marvel heroes, and a few comics would be better in canon.

18 The Celestial Madonna

First Appearance: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, By Writer Jonathan Hickman, Penciler/Inker Dustin Weaver, Colorist Christina Strain, And Letterer Todd Klein

The Celestial Madonna listens as a human gets its attention.

While Mantis also bore this title, the giant Celestial Madonna came to Earth in 114 AD. The Celestial Madonna had a powerful child in her womb, and she knew the birth would destroy her. However, the child would need energy to survive.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Gave Birth to an Infant Celestial
  • Spared Earth by Having Her Child Born in the Earth's Sun

The Celestial Madonna flew into the sun and gave birth to the Star Child, which she then left there to find food for him. Little is known about the Star Child, beyond the fact Leonardo da Vinci discovered the Celestial Offspring.

17 The Progenitor

First Appearance: Avengers (Vol. 8) #3, By Writer Jason Aaron; Pencilers Paco Medina And Ed McGuinness; Inkers Juan Vlasco, Mark Morales, And Jay Leisten; Colorist David Curiel, And Letterer Cory Petit

The Progenitor from Marvel Comics stands, wounded and bleeding.

The Progenitor was an Alpha Celestial who arrived on the primal Earth billions of years ago. Infected by the cosmic Horde, he died when he came to that world. However, the Progenitor proved so powerful that his blood seeping into Earth forever altered the planet.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • His Blood Carried Properties that Caused Evolution, even after His Death
  • His Blood Led to Humankind Developing Powers and Unique Abilities

Time revealed the Progenitor's spilled blood as the reason metahumans, mutants, and other superhuman beings spawned and thrived on the Earth. Those aware of the Progenitor's role among Earth's origins referred to the fallen Celestial as "The Father of the Avengers."

16 The Celestial Destructor

First Appearance: Civil War II #1, By Writer Brian Michael Bendis, Penciler/Inker David Marquez, Colorist Justin Ponsor, And Letterer Clayton Cowles

The Celestial Destructor from Marvel Comics descends from the sky, emitting a red glow.

The Celestial Destructor comes from a special variety of Celestial known as "Aspirants." They can be told apart from other Celestials by their red-and-black armor. The First Firmament — the very first reality to exist — sent the Celestial Destructor to destroy the eighth iteration of Eternity that was birthed from the 2015 Secret Wars event.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Reputed as an Extinction-Level Threat
  • Attempted to Wipe Out the Entity, Eternity

However, for all that pomp and circumstance, the Celestial Destructor was easily dispatched when it arrived on Earth. During the Civil War II event, the Inhuman Ulysses predicted the Aspirant's arrival. Earth's magic-based heroes banded together, crafted a spell, and sent the Celestial Destructor back to its point of origin.

15 Zgreb The Fallen

First Appearance: Marvel Legacy (Vol. 1) #1, By Writer Jason Aaron; Penciler/Inkers Esad Ribić, Steve McNiven, Chris Samnee, Russell Dauterman, Alex Maleev, Ed McGuinness, Pepe Larraz, Jim Cheung, Daniel Acuña, Mike Deodato Jr., And David Marquez; Pencilers Stuart Immonen And Greg Land; Inkers Wade Von Grawbadger And Jay Leisten;Colorist Matthew Wilson; And Letterer Cory Petit

Zgreb The Fallen Celestial from Marvel Comics

Zgreb the Aspirant became the Celestial who defeated the Phoenix. A cosmic being known both as "The Sorrower" and "The Fallen," Zgreb searched the universe for its lover, paying no mind to the destruction left in its wake.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Battled the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC
  • Defeated the Phoenix Force
  • Brought about the Dark Celestials' Final Host

Zgreb was powerful enough to fight alone against the Ancient Avengers, a team that included the frequently misunderstood Odin, and it was only the combined efforts of these beings that cast Zgreb away. Zgreb returned millennia later, even more powerful, and only lost when the new Avengers pulled out all the stops.

14 Arishem The Judge

First Appearance: Eternals (Vol. 1) #2, By Writer/Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker John Verpoorten, Colorist Glynis Wein, And Letterer John Costanza

Arishem The Judge from Marvel Comics

Arishem the Judge led the Four Hosts of Earth Celestials and nearly wiped out the Deviants with a flood known as "the Great Cataclysm." He took part in a Celestial war with the Watcher race and was among the Celestials who decided which planets to destroy.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Led the Four Hosts of Earth Celestials
  • Judged Planets
  • Battled the Watchers
  • Could Destroy Dimensional Bridges

Arishem fought X-Factor during an event known as the "Judgement War," which ended with Arishem losing a hand to Cyclops and Jean Grey. Unfortunately for Arishem, his final fate came when the Dark Celestials began their rampage and killed their fellow Celestials. Arishem's body fell to Earth and warned the Avengers of the Dark Celestials' arrival.

Related
10 Scariest Marvel Superheroes
No matter how horrifying the villains of the Marvel Universe might be, there are plenty of heroes who are just as terrifying.

13 Ego The Living Planet (MCU Version)

First Appearance: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Prelude #1, By Writer Will Corona Pilgrim And Artists Chris Allen, Andrea Mutti, Scott Hanna, Roberto Poggi, Andres Mossa, And Travis Lanham

Ego The Living Planet from the MCU watches as a ship flees from him.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 introduced the living planet, Ego. Despite his differing design, he claimed to be one of the Celestials and demonstrated the power to assimilate full worlds into himself. Ego hoped to use his son Star-Lord to activate the various seeds he'd planted on planets across the universe to expand his consciousness.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Had Expanded His Consciousness
  • Planted His Seed Across the Universe
  • Manipulated Human Physiology
  • Created a Planet Around His Core

The MCU's Ego could've remade everything in the universe the way he wanted, and his planet demonstrated his capabilities. He seemed to be as old as time itself and had visited the farthest reaches of space. It's possible Ego wouldn't have been affected by Thanos’ snap, considering the scale of his powers.

12 Godhead

First Appearance: Guardians Of The Galaxy & X-Men: Black Vortex Alpha #1, By Writer Sam Humphries; Penciler Ed McGuinness; Penciler/Inker Kris Anka; Inkers Mark Farmer, Jay Leisten, And Mark Morales; Colorists Marte Gracia And Marcelo Maiolo; And Letterer Travis Lanham

The Godhead Celestial from Marvel Comics

The Celestial known as Godhead oversaw the planet Viscardi for twelve billion years. He only left after the planet’s inhabitants pleaded with him to allow them to explore the outside universe. In response, Godhead created the Black Vortex whose power kicked off a war between the Viscardi, so only one survived.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Oversaw a Planet for 12 Billion Years
  • Created the Black Vortex, Capable of Unlocking an Individual's Full Cosmic Potential

Once there was nothing left to oversee, Godhead silently departed the planet, offering no reason for his creation of the Black Vortex. It would be hard to predict how he’d fare against other Celestials, but the Vortex's transformative power remains a good indicator of Godhead's upper power levels.

11 The Final Host Of Dark Celestials

First Appearance: Avengers (Vol 8.) #1, By Writer Jason Aaron, Penciler Ed McGuinness, Inker Mark Morales, Colorist David Curiel, And Letterer Cory Petit

The Dark Celestials attacking their enemies.

A race of insectoid beings known as the Horde acted as The Celestials' dark opposites, feeding on worlds to keep the balance in the universe. However, they occasionally fed on the Celestials as well. The Horde infected The Progenitor and Zgreb the Fallen before later mutating others into powerful Dark Celestials.

Notable Traits/Accomplishments:

  • Killed and Infected Other Celestials
  • Nearly Caused Earth's Annihilation

The Final Host of the Dark Celestials that was called to earth by Zgreb included Obliteron, Callus the Void, and Valknar the Exhumer. They killed every other Celestial and dropped the bodies on Earth. The Avengers revive the fallen Celestials, who aided them in the climactic fight against the Dark Celestials.