| 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 the DC Universe, a metahuman is a human with superpowers. The term is roughly synonymous with the terms mutant , inhuman and mutate in the Marvel Universe and posthuman in the Wildstorm and Ultimate Marvel Universes. In DC Comics, the term is used loosely in most instances to refer to any human-like individual with extraordinary, often paranormal 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 of superhumans living within the population.
The term was first used as a reference to superheroes in 1986 by author George R. R. Martin, first in the Superworld role playing system, and then later in his Wild Cards series of novels.[ citation needed ]
The term "metahuman" was first used by the Dominators, an alien species who attacked Earth during the 1989 series Invasion! . [1] The Dominators use this term to refer to any human native of the planet Earth with "fictional superhuman abilities". The prefix "meta-" simply means "beyond", denoting powers and abilities beyond human limits.
Lord Vimana, the Vimanian overlord from the Xenobrood mini-series, claimed credit for the creation of the human race, both normal and metahuman, due to their introduction of superpowered alien genetic matter into human DNA. [2] The Vimanians forced their super powered worker drones to mate with humanity's ancestors Australopithecus afarensis and Homo erectus to create a race of superpowered slaves. [3]
The Invasion! miniseries 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. During Final 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 invaded Checkmate 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. [4]
The terms "meta" and "metahuman" do not refer only to humans born with biological variants. Superman and Martian Manhunter (aliens) as well as Wonder Woman (a near-goddess) and Aquaman (an Atlantean) 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 to Countdown to Infinite Crisis , roughly 1.3 million metahumans live on Earth, 99.5% of whom are considered "nuisance-level". The other 0.5% are what Checkmate considers alpha-, beta- and gamma-level threats. For example, Superman and Wonder Woman are categorized as alpha-level, while Metamorpho is considered a beta-level and Ratcatcher is considered gamma-level.
The 52 miniseries introduced a toxic mutagen called the Exo-gene (also referred to as the Exogene). It is a toxic gene therapy treatment created by LexCorp for the Everyman 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.
In Road to Dark Nights: Metal, the Joker revealed to Duke Thomas that the term "meta" originated from a rudimentary hospital program used to automatically flag Nth 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 word "metahuman" is often attributed to the DC Universe, while superhuman beings in the Marvel Universe are referred to as either mutants or mutates. However, both DC and Marvel 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 in New Mutants Annual #3 (1987), in which a Russian security officer describes the protagonists as "metahuman terrorists". [5]
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