In theDC Universe, ametahuman is ahuman withsuperpowers. The term is roughly synonymous with the termsmutant,inhuman andmutate in theMarvel Universe andposthuman in theWildstorm andUltimate Marvel Universes. 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. A significant portion of these are normal human beings born with a genetic variant called the "metagene",^[1] which causes them to gain powers and other paranormal qualities during freak accidents or 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 was first used by the alienDominators when they appeared inDC Comics'Invasion! mini-series in 1988.^[1] The Dominators use this term to refer to any human with superhuman abilities.

In ancient times, theVimanians andWhite Martians experimented on humanity and created the metagene.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} InDark Nights: Metal, the meta-gene is revealed to have also come from trace amounts ofNth Metal in the blood

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".^[7]

• InBirds of Prey, metahumans included heroines theHuntress andDinah Lance. They are treated seemingly as a race or species separate from humans.
• InSmallville, metahumans can occur naturally. However, the majority are the result of exposure tokryptonite, which can give humans superpowers.
• InYoung Justice, theKroloteans andReach conduct experiments in triggering and manipulate the metahuman gene. In thethird season, humans learn to detect and activate the metagene, resulting in widespreadmetahuman trafficking. The episode "Evolution" reveals thatVandal Savage was the first metahuman and the ancestor of all other metahumans.
• In theArrowverse franchise, "metahuman" is used more narrowly than in the comics, typically referring to a human being who becomestranshuman and has uncanny abilities, often acquired by accident.

• List of metahumans in DC Comics
• Homo mermanus
• Mutants and mutates, the Marvel Universe equivalents of metahumans
• Superhuman
• Superpower (ability)
• Transhumanism

• DCU Guide History: 14 Million B.C.
• Monitor Duty: WILL D. WILLIAMS
• Wildcardsonline.com: Wild cards origins - Origin of the comic book term "Metahuman"
• Metahuman Press
• Metahumans fromDC Comics Wikia
• Mutants &Mutates fromMarvel Comics Wikia

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• Fictional elements introduced in 1986
• DC Comics metahumans
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• Transhumanism in fiction