The X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy were briefly transformed by the power of the Black Vortex, an ancient Celestial artefact. Created aeons ago by the Celestial Godhead, the Black Vortex is a mirror that allows a person to glimpse their full potential. Should they submit to the Black Vortex's power, that potential is unlocked, providing the most powerful upgrade imaginable.
Unfortunately, few people are equipped to handle the power unleashed by the Black Vortex. The Celestials gave it to the inhabitants of the planet Viscardi, and within a year the race had been all but wiped out, with just one survivor left. This cursed artifact became a galactic legend, hidden from those who would abuse its power, until it was discovered by agents of J'Son, Star-Lord's tyrannical father in the comics. Soon the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy were forced to team up to prevent its powers tearing the galaxy apart.
The "Black Vortex" event saw several members of the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy submit to the mirror's power, some willingly and others because they felt they had no choice. Some of the changes lasted for years, others were momentary. Here are all the transformations seen in "Black Vortex."
Marvel's "Black Vortex" event happened back when the time-lost original X-Men had been transported to the present day, and one of their members - Angel - unwisely submitted to the Black Vortex. He became more powerful than ever before, with wings of cosmic energy that gradually transformed into fire. But there was something more sinister to this transformation than Angel knew, because aspects of the costume he was given by the Black Vortex were disturbingly reminiscent of the Archangel form Apocalypse had turned his adult self into. The comparison makes sense, because, like the Black Vortex, Apocalypse's technology - the science that he used to turn Angel into Archangel - was Celestial in origin. Warren Worthington III kept his Black Vortex powers for some time until he was captured by the time traveling Kid Cable and his wings were replaced with Mimic's, allowing him to be sent back to his own era without disrupting the timeline.
He may not be an Omega level, but Beast is perhaps the most dangerous mutant of all - simply because his thirst for knowledge outstrips his sense (in all honesty, that was how he became blue and furry in the first place). So it wasn't particularly surprising Hank McCoy chose to look into the Black Vortex while the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy were arguing over whether or not to destroy it. He gained unlimited insight, the ability to perceive the multiverse itself, to understand the true nature of reality. Fortunately, the experience appeared to involve an upgrade to Beast's common sense as well; he eventually realized he was tearing creation apart with his actions, and he chose to reject the Black Vortex's power.
Captain Marvel had joined the Guardians of the Galaxy because she was dissatisfied with her life on Earth, and she hoped to find herself out among the stars. The Black Vortex offered her a way to defeat her enemies, a power that was beyond anything she had experienced before - even when Captain Marvel had gone Binary. Fortunately, Captain Marvel rejected the Black Vortex's vision, because her taste of Binary powers had led her to realize that more power wasn't what she was looking for.
Another of the time-lost original X-Men, Cyclops, was ultimately exposed to the Black Vortex. Ever one to doubt himself, Cyclops initially feared the Black Vortex would unleash the darkness he believed lay inside his heart, but a telepathic conversation with Jean Grey convinced him to submit to the Black Vortex - granted, with a little manipulation. True to Jean's faith in him, Cyclops remained stalwart and true, one of the few people to be transformed by the Black Vortex who didn't come close to going Dark Phoenix with the experience. His optic blasts were more powerful than ever before, but for the first time he had absolute control of them.
The deadliest woman in the galaxy, Gamora is no stranger to cosmic powers. But the Black Vortex made her an unstoppable force of nature, swift and agile enough to take on empowered enemies known as the Slaughter Lords and able to summon cosmic blades out of her cloak - meaning a weapon was only ever a second away. It wasn't long before Gamora demonstrated her power, turning invisible during a battle with Storm, and then unleashing havoc on Hala when the Kree stole the Black Vortex. Gamora was one of the few to remain in the Black Vortex form when the event was over, but her powers faded over time.
Trapped with Cyclops, Iceman and Groot were left no choice but to gaze into the Black Vortex as well. Unfortunately they never really showed what they were capable of; Iceman's ice-powers seemed enhanced, and Groot appeared to possess some form of energy manipulation in addition to his normal powers. Neither chose to keep the upgrades, however, and they returned to normal in the end.
With the entire planet Spartax at stake, trapped in amber and about to fall prey to the Brood, Kitty Pryde knew she had no choice but to submit to the Black Vortex and gain a massive power-up for her phasing abilities. Incredibly, she became a being who transcended the multiverse itself, her mind no longer tethered to this plane of existence but able to communicate with every other version of herself. But Kitty resisted the corruptive influence of the Black Vortex, choosing to use her remarkable powers for good, phasing an entire planet - and then crushing enemy starships between her hands. Kitty's phasing powers remained amplified for some time, but it faded.
Peter Quill is undoubtedly one of Marvel's most flawed superheroes, but Star-Lord considered submitting to the Black Vortex for the very best of reasons; to prevent Jean Grey from having to carry that burden. He looked deep into the Black Vortex, which promised to transform him into a being capable of acquiring everything his heart desired. But, in a rare moment of self-awareness, Star-Lord realized he would be unable to cope with the power; all his worst attributes would be exacerbated, and Star-Lord knew he'd lose the love of Kitty Pryde, who he was dating at the time. And so, even with the fate of all creation at stake, Star-Lord recognized he was the wrong man to take on unlimited power.
The X-Men's Storm is already an Omega level mutant, defined as "a mutant whose dominant power is deemed to register -- or reach -- an undefinable upper limit of that power's specific classification." But when she looked into the Black Vortex, Storm saw herself wielding power on a scale even she had never imagined, becoming a true Goddess of Thunder. In the Black Vortex's visions, she could ride the solar winds between stars, wielding the power to obliterate entire worlds. Rather than find the idea of absolute, unlimited powers tempting, Storm rejected the Black Vortex's visions and attempted to persuade the team to destroy it. Still, that brief moment was a fascinating glimpse of just how powerful Storm could have been had she chosen to submit to the Black Vortex.
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