Metahuman
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Image:Alanmoore dcu.jpg Metahuman is a term to describe superhumans in the DC Universe. It is synonomous with mutant (in the Marvel Universe) and posthuman in the Wildstorm Universe
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Invasion!: Origins & Definition
Metahuman is a term coined by the fictitious alien Dominators (in DC Comics' Invasion! miniseries), and used to describe any human being with what are commonly described as "super powers". The justification for this alternate phrase is that "super" implies a value judgement—is super-strength somehow "better" than normal strength? Moreover, it implies that the ability is an enhanced version of a normal human ability—by which definition, telekinesis (for example), which is not possessed by normal humans, is not a superpower. These powers are referred to as metahuman abilities. The more common term for metahuman is superhuman.
The Meta-gene
The series provided a concept for why humans in the DC Universe would survive catastrophic events and develop "super powers." One of the Dominators discovered that some humans had a "biological variant" he called the meta-gene (also spelled "metagene"). This gene often lay dormant until a moment of extraordinary physiological stress activated it, and upon activation it would use the source of the biostress as a catalyst for "genetic change," resulting in metahuman abilities. It should be noted the previous statement is a paraphrase of the explanation provided in the comic series. It should also be noted that DC does not use the "metagene concept" as a solid editorial rule, and several writers do not reference the metagene when explaining a character's origin. DC also has characters born with superhuman abilities, suggesting the metagene can activate spontaneously.
The Invasion mini-series also suggested several magical characters were metagene-positive, and thus the metagene was responsible for magical ability, but several writers and editors have resisted this idea. DC does suggest that some humans have inherent ability for magic, and these humans are part of a race referred to as the "homo magi."
The prefix meta-, in this context, simply means "beyond"—as in metastable, which is beyond regular stability and ready to collapse at the slightest disruption, or metamorphosis, which is the state of going beyond a single shape. In the DC comic mini-series Legends, the Dominators point out that the location of the Meta-gene is somewhere near the brain (of course, in reality every cell in the body would contain this gene).
In the DC Comics universe, metahuman criminals are incarcerated in special metahuman prisons, like the one built on Alcatraz Island, which outfitted not only with provisions to hold criminals whose powers are science and technology-based, but even mystical dampeners to hold ones whose powers are magic-based. Prisoners in this facility are tagged with nanobyte tracers injected into their bloodstream that allows them to be located wherever they are, as seen in Outsiders #12 (July 2004).
Population
Metahuman may not even refer to mutated humans. Superman (an alien) and Wonder Woman (a god/god-like) are considered "honorary" Metas. It can refer to anyone with extra normal powers, no matter the origins. According to Countdown to Infinite Crisis, there are roughly 1.3 million metahumans on Earth. 99.5% of which is "nuisance-level." This includes "kids who can bend spoons" and the old lady "who keeps hitting at Powerball." The other 0.5% are what Checkmate and the OMACs consider alpha and beta level threats. For example, Superman and Wonder Woman are alpha level, while Metamorpho is a beta.
Mutants & Metas
A common rule in some fandoms is that Marvel has mutants, mutates, and super-powered beings, while DC has metahumans. It is believed that the term metahuman was coined as a way of describing the DC Comics universe's superpowered characters as different from those who are normal humans in the same way Marvel Comics describes its mutants -- superpowered beings born with their abilities; often prejudged and segregated against by regular humanity. Due to the fact that the term metahuman was used in the mid-1990s when the X-Men's animated series was immensely popular, this is an easy assumption to make.
Notable Uses in Comics and Other Media
Marvel Comics
In Marvel Comics, metahuman is a term used in the Marvel Universe to describe an attribute of a character that possesses a high degree of superhuman durability. A character possessing metahuman level invulnerability can withstand puncture wounds, temperature extremes of hot and cold, and corrosives without sustaining damage. The various tissues of their bodies; skin, bone, muscle, etc., are essentially as hard as a diamond. As a result, they are practically invulnerable to injury by conventional attacks or weaponry
City of Heroes
In the MMORPG City of Heroes, metahuman is a term used by the paramilitary Malta Group whenever referring to player characters. When spotting a player they will shout it out as a Meta-Human Incursion, or MHI.
Shadowrun
Metahuman is also used in the Shadowrun universe to describe elves, dwarves, and the like. These metahumans are described as being subspecies of Homo sapiens who began emerging following the return of magic in 2011 and generally have been the targets of racism throughout their existence. In game terms, metahuman characters generally have abilities beyond those of normal humans, such as increased stats, improved vision, etc.
In Animation
In animated versions of the DC universe, the term metahuman is sometimes used, most commonly this is true for the animated series Static Shock (a series which intersects and interacts with the main animated DC Universe, including the Batman and Superman shows of the nineties, as well as the ongoing JLU)
Static Shock
Static Shock is a show in which all superpowered characters are granted powers by a large chemical explosion called the Big Bang are dubbed "Metahumans". A few strange facts and differences are presented by this version of the term:
- Despite being using regularly in the DC Comics universe, the term metahuman was not commonly used at the time Milestone Comics' first 4 books (Static being the fourth) were published (if at all).
- Metahuman applies only to peoples mutated by an outside force.
- Metahumans in this universe have no latent metagene, but rather a mutated genome due to a common chemical accident. These mutations often reflect previous attributes (many such attributes paradoxically personality related)
- "Metahuman" is first presented by Virgil Hawkins the main character of the show Static Shock as an alternative to the word "Mutant".
- Metahumans can be cured by chemical antidote, a fact seperating them from other Superbeings in the Animated DC Universe.
- The expression is rarely used in the show's sibling shows despite sharing the same continuity.
- It is suggested that metahumans' powers are subject to change due to the unstable nature of their origin.
Teen Titans
Noted often as having a separate continuity it is interesting to note that in the show Teen Titans not only is the term "Metahuman" never used, but neither is "Superhero" (some rare occasions aside) almost every character on the show is referred as either "Hero", "Crimefighter", "Criminal" or "Villain". Supervillain is actually more used than superhero.
Batgirl
It is suggested in some DC comics (the new Batgirl is a notable example) that even if a character does have super human abilities, they cannot be considered metahuman unless they have the metahuman gene. However, it can be implied from the same example that scientists in the DC universe have found that almost every non-magical superbeing shares the metagene.