While the mutants of the Marvel Universe have long provided some of the most powerful figures in all of pop culture, few have been able to lay claim to the inspiring title of omega-level. As far as standard definitions go, omega-level mutants are those whose powers have no foreseeable limits. Though the abilities they wield vary wildly, each of these infinitely powerful figures has proven how deserving they are of that classification, even if the strongest of them all has spent most of his time pretending that he wasn't.
Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman, has been a staple of the mutant community ever since he debuted alongside the rest of the original lineup of the titular team in 1963's X-Men #1 (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby). As the second of Professor X's recruits, Bobby has had longer than most to hone his incredible abilities and learn everything there is to know about them. Over the years, Iceman has put his powers to use in incredible ways, even stopping nuclear disasters single-handedly with his control over the climate. Yet every time it is mentioned how truly limitless Iceman is, fans are also reminded that they haven't seen him unleash anywhere near his full potential.
Iceman Refuses to Take Himself Seriously
Despite the power he possesses, Bobby rarely takes himself all that seriously. Of the original X-Men, Iceman was undoubtedly the most light-hearted, and it took quite some time as well as a plethora of new mutants before that changed. In many ways, Bobby's jovial attitude was his way of ignoring the harder truths in the world. Much the same, he never dug deep enough to genuinely test the depths of his powers, as that would just be another indication of how dire things really are.
This was even true of the Iceman from the world of 1998's Mutant X #1 (by Howard Mackie and Tom Raney). In this alternate timeline, an early encounter with Loki left Bobby forever trapped in his frozen form, something which emotionally and physically alienated him from the rest of the world. It also turned this Bobby into one of the most earnest and forthright versions of the character to date. Even still, this Iceman never really gave himself the chance to explore the extent of his abilities, although he certainly put them to far more lethal use than his primary timeline counterpart.
Iceman May Never Reach His Full Potential
Between any concerns he might have over the damage his powers could do and the fact that he tried so hard to avoid any overtly tense situations when he can, it is hard to imagine him ever reaching his full potential as an omega-level mutant. At least, not unless he absolutely has to. Considering how many impossible threats there are in the Marvel Universe it may seem like only a matter of time before Iceman is forced to let loose.
Iceman's fuming hatred toward the Brood is unmistakable. But the fact that he hasn't shown off the extent of his abilities even in the face of these insectile aberrations speaks to how little he needs to and how powerful he is, even at the most basic level. By all accounts, it might take Hell quite literally freezing over before fans get to see Iceman stop holding back. Then again, if that ever happens, Bobby Drake will likely have been the one who caused it in the first place.