| Metahuman | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Invasion! #1 (December 1988) |
| Created by | Shana |
| Characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Inherent abilities | Varies by individual |
In theDC Universe, ametahuman is ahuman withsuperpowers. In DC Comics, the term is used loosely in most instances to refer to anyhuman-like individual with extraordinary, oftenparanormal abilities or other attributes, regardless of whether or not they are cosmic, mutant, scientific,supernatural, skill-based or technological in nature.
The term in comic books published by DC Comics is typically used as a loose government classification of powered people and not a descriptor of a character's specific origins. As such it is often applied readily to humanoid and human-looking characters such asSuperman (an alien) andWonder Woman (a near-goddess) just as it is to characters likeMetamorpho (a mutated human) andLilith Clay (a human born with psychic abilities). Within the metahuman population however is a segment of the human population born with a genetic variant called the "metagene".[1] It is this variant that some human beings have to gain powers and other paranormal qualities during freak accidents, or to manifest powers during times of intense psychological distress, effectively making them a subspecies ofsuperhumans living within the population.
The term was first used as a reference to superheroes in 1986 by authorGeorge R. R. Martin, first in theSuperworldrole playing system, and then later in hisWild Cards series of novels.[citation needed]
The term "metahuman" was first used by theDominators, an alien species who attacked Earth during the 1988 seriesInvasion![1] The Dominators use this term to refer to any human native of the planetEarth with "fictional superhuman abilities". The prefix "meta-" simply means "beyond", denoting powers and abilities beyond human limits.
TheInvasion! miniseries (1988) provided a concept for why humans in the DC Universe would survive catastrophic events and develop superpowers. One of the Dominators discovered that select members of the human race had a "biological variant," which he called the metagene (also spelled "meta-gene"). This gene often lay dormant until an instant of extraordinary physical and emotional stress activates it. A "spontaneous chromosomal combustion" then takes place, as the metagene takes the source of the biostress – be it chemical, radioactive or other similar phenomenon – and turns the potential catastrophe into a catalyst for "genetic change," resulting in metahuman abilities. It is also possible for the metagene to be active from birth, suggesting that it can activate spontaneously and without any prior appearance in the ancestry.
It is possible for individuals skilled in science and biology to manipulate, dampen or modify the activities of the metagene. DuringFinal Crisis, while the Dominators devised a Gene Bomb able to accelerate the metagene activity to the point of cellular and physical instability, an anti-metagene virus was spread as a last-ditch weapon in the invadedCheckmate quarters. This metavirus has the opposite effects of the Gene Bomb, shutting down the metagene and stripping metahumans of their powers for an unspecified amount of time.[2]
DC Comics presents two conflicting accounts of the origins of the metagene. The 1995Xenobrood mini-series shows the alien Vimanian race claim credit for the introduction of superpowered alien genetic matter into humanDNA.[3] The Vimanians forced their super powered worker drones to mate with humanity's ancestorsAustralopithecus afarensis andHomo erectus to create a race of superpowered slaves.[4]
Later, inRoad to Dark Nights: Metal (2017), theJoker revealed toDuke Thomas that the term "meta" originated from a rudimentary hospital program used to automatically flagNth Metal toxicity found in a person's bloodstream, similar to iron or zinc, with "meta" being short for "metal". This natural toxicity is the "variant" that changes the individual's DNA results in the metagene and its various heightened abilities and powers.
The terms "meta" and "metahuman" do not refer only to humans born with biological variants.Superman andMartian Manhunter (aliens) as well asWonder Woman (a near-goddess) andAquaman (anAtlantean) are referred to in many instances as metahumans."It can refer to anyone with extraordinary powers, no matter the origins and including those not born with such power. According toCountdown to Infinite Crisis, roughly 1.3 million metahumans live on Earth, 99.5% of whom are considered "nuisance-level". The other 0.5% are whatCheckmate considers alpha-, beta- and gamma-level threats. For example, Superman and Wonder Woman are categorized as alpha-level, whileMetamorpho is considered a beta-level andRatcatcher is considered gamma-level.
The52 miniseries introduced a toxic mutagen called the Exo-gene (also referred to as the Exogene). It is a toxicgene therapy treatment created byLexCorp for theEveryman Project, which creates metahuman abilities in compatible non-metahumans. The project was controversial, creating unstable heroes that gave Luthor an "off switch" for their powers, creating countless mid-flight deaths.
The word "metahuman" is often attributed to the DC Universe, while superhuman beings in theMarvel Universe are referred to as eithermutants or mutates. However, both DC andMarvel Comics have made use of the term "metahuman" and "mutant" in their universes. The first use of the term 'metahuman' in the Marvel Universe occurred inNew Mutants Annual #3 (1987), in which a Russian security officer describes the protagonists as "metahuman terrorists".[5]
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