Metahuman 689617 224875702 2008-07-10T20:16:00Z 192.154.91.225 /* Exo-gene */ rmv spec '''Metahuman''' is a term to describe [[superhuman]]s in [[DC Comics]]' [[shared universe]], the [[DC Universe]]. It is roughly synonymous with both '''[[Mutant (Marvel comics)|mutant]]''' and '''[[Mutate (comics)|mutate]]''' (in the [[Marvel Universe]]) and [[posthuman]] in the [[Wildstorm]] and [[Ultimate Marvel]] Universes. Use of the term in reference to superheroes was coined 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.<ref>[http://www.wildcardsonline.com/origins.html Wild Cards - Origins<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==DC Comics: ''Invasion!'' Origins & Definition== {{main|Invasion! (DC Comics)}} '''''Metahuman''''' is a term coined by the fictitious [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] [[Dominators]] (in [[DC Comics]]' ''Invasion!'' miniseries), and used to describe any human being with what are commonly described as "[[list of powers in superhero fiction|super power]]s". The prefix "''meta-''" simply means "''beyond''", describing persons and abilities beyond human limits. ===The Metagene=== The series provided a concept for why humans in the DC Universe would survive catastrophic events and develop "[[List of comic book superhero powers|super power]]s." 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. 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 few writers explicitly reference the metagene when explaining a character's origin. DC also has characters born with superhuman abilities, suggesting the metagene can activate spontaneously and without any prior appearance in the ancestry. One well-known example involves Dinah Laurel Lance, the second [[Black Canary]]. Although her mother (Dinah Drake Lance, the original Black Canary) was a superhero, neither she nor her husband Larry Lance were born with any known metagenes. However, Dinah Laurel ''was'' born with a metagene, the famed ultrasonic scream known as the Canary Cry. The prefix ''[[meta]]-'', in this context, simply means "beyond"&mdash;as in ''[[metastable]]'', which is beyond regular stability and ready to collapse at the slightest disruption, or ''[[Metamorphosis (biology)|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 [[List of correctional facilities in comics|metahuman prisons]], like the one built on [[List of correctional facilities in comics#Alcatraz Island|Alcatraz Island]], which outfitted not only with provisions to hold criminals whose powers are [[science]] and [[technology]]-based, but even mystical dampeners to hold villains (including [[Homo Magi]]) whose powers are [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] based. Prisoners in this facility are tagged with nanobyte tracers injected into their [[bloodstream]] that allows them to be located wherever they are. <ref>As seen in ''[[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]]'' #12 (July 2004)</ref> ===White Martians=== {{main|White Martian}} According to the storyline in [[Justice League of America]] (#4) by [[Grant Morrison]], and the storylines in [[Martian Manhunter]] (#25 - 27) by [[John Ostrander]], and [[Vulcan (DC Comics)|Son of Vulcan]] (#5), the genetic potential for a future metagene was discovered in ancient human DNA by the White Martian race. The White Martians performed experiments on these primitive humans, changing the metagene. Due to their experimentations, they actually altered the destiny of the human race. Whereas before evolution would have eventually made mankind into a race of superhumans similar to the '''[[Daxamites]]''' and '''[[Kryptonians]]''', now only a select few humans would be able to develop metahuman powers. As punishment for this, the group of renegades known as the '''[[Hyperclan]]''' was exiled to the ''Still Zone'', a version of the [[Phantom Zone]]. <ref>http://www.monitorduty.com/mdarchives/2005/10/alan_kistlers_p_1.shtml</ref><ref>[http://www.dcuguide.com/History/History_Beginning.php The Unofficial History of the DC Universe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Metavirus=== The White Martians also created a '''''metavirus''''', a metagene that could be passed from host to host via touch. This metavirus was responsible for the empowerment of the very first ''[[Vulcan (DC Comics)|Son of Vulcan]]''. And from that time onwards the Sons of Vulcan passed the metavirus down in an unbroken line, sworn to hunt and kill White Martians. ===Population=== The terms "meta" and "metahuman" does not only refer to humans born with biological variants. [[Superman]] and [[Martian Manhunter]] (aliens) as well as [[Wonder Woman]] (a near-goddess) and [[Aquaman]] (an [[Atlantis (DC Comics)|Atlantean]]) are referred to in many instances as "metahumans." It can refer to anyone with extranormal powers, no matter the origins and including those not born with such power. According to ''[[Countdown to Infinite Crisis]]'', there are roughly 1.3 million metahumans on Earth, 99.5% of which are considered "nuisance-level" (such as kids who can bend spoons with their mind and the old lady "who keeps hitting at [[Powerball]]"). The other 0.5% are what [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]] and the [[OMAC]]s consider alpha and beta level threats. For example, [[Superman]] and [[Wonder Woman]] were categorized as alpha level, while [[Metamorpho]] was considered a beta. ===Exo-gene=== The [[52 (comics)|52]] mini-series introduced a toxic mutagen called the [[List of comic book drugs#Exo-gene|Exo-gene]] (also referred to as the Exogene). It is a toxic [[gene therapy]] treatment created by [[Lexcorp]] for the [[Infinity, Inc.#Luthor's Dream Team|Everyman Project]] which creates metahuman abilities in compatible non-metahumans. First appears in 52 #4, first announcement of the Everyman Project in 52 #8. The project was controversial, creating a lot of unstable heroes and gave Luthor an "off switch" for their powers, creating countless mid-flight deaths. ===Homo Magi=== {{main|Homo Magi}} DC also suggests that some humans have inherent ability to utilize [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]], and these humans are part of a branch or offshoot of humanity referred to as the ''[[Homo Magi|Homo magi]]'', who have interbred with normal humans. As with aliens and mutants with superhuman powers, ''Homo magi'' are also often classed together as Metas by the general public of the DCU. ==Metahumans and mutants== A common rule of thumb in fandom is that Marvel has [[Mutant (Marvel comics)|mutants]] and [[Mutate (comics)|mutates]], while DC has metahumans. However, both DC and Marvel have made use of the terms "metahuman" and "mutant" within their own universes. DC's [[Captain Comet]] and [[Joshua Clay|Tempest I]] were initially described as being mutants. In the televised DCU, the [[Justice League Unlimited]] episode "Fearful Symmetry" explicitly references both Mutants and Metahumans in a single sentence. The term ''metahuman'' was first used by DC in 1989 in the ''[[Invasion! (DC Comics)|Invasion!]]'' mini-series written by [[Keith Giffen]] and [[Bill Mantlo]], as part of the main plot. It was Mantlo's first work for DC following a long career at [[Marvel Comics]]. In [[Amalgam Comics]], a collaboration between Marvel and DC Comics, metahumans are combined with mutants to form [[Metamutant]]s. ==Usage== ====City of Heroes==== In the [[MMORPG]] [[City of Heroes]], the [[Illuminati]]-like Malta Group refers to super-beings as ''metahuman''. When spotting a player, its paramilitary operatives will often report an "MHI" or Meta-Human Incursion to their squad. ====GURPS==== ''GURPS International Super Teams'', the 1991 worldbook for the "house campaign" for the ''[[GURPS Supers]]'' rules, uses "metahuman" as the formal scientific/academic term employed within the setting for a human with super-powers. ====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 virtually all 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. This classification system is not commonly used within the comics themselves, being mainly limited to supplemental materials. The word Metahuman has also been used by Marvel characters to refer to superhuman beings on rare occasions. In ''[[Ultimate Fantastic Four]]'' #24, [[Reed Richards]] calls the Ultimate version of [[Namor]] "possibly the most powerful metahuman on Earth". The first use of the term 'metahuman' in the Marvel universe was in the ''[[New Mutants]] Annual'' #3, written by [[Chris Claremont]], released in 1987. In it, a Russian security officer describes the protagonists as "metahuman terrorists". ====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 strength or agility, improved vision, etc. ====Static Shock==== 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 [[Justice League Unlimited|JLU]]). [[Static Shock]] is a show in which all superpowered characters are granted powers by a large chemical explosion later nicknamed "the Big Bang" are dubbed "''Meta-Humans''" or "''Bang-Babies''". A few strange facts and differences are presented by this version of the term: *Despite being used 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). *Metahumans in ''Static Shock'' 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 in the show by [[Virgil Hawkins]] the main character of the show Static Shock as an alternative to the word "''Mutant''" because it sounded "''degrading.''" *Bang Baby/Metahumans can be cured by chemical antidote, a fact separating 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 bang baby/metahumans' powers are subject to change due to the unstable nature of their origin. ====Wild Cards==== "Metahuman" is used for the first time in 1986 by [[George R. R. Martin]] in an altered version of the '''Superworld''' role playing system, and later in the ''[[Wild Cards]]'' anthology series as the formal scientific term describing both superhuman powers and those that possess them, as seen in the appendices to Volume I (the general public of the Wild Cards universe commonly refer to such individuals as [[Ace (Wild Cards)|Aces]]).<ref>[http://www.wildcardsonline.com/origins.html Wild Cards - Origins<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ====Smallville==== On the television series ''[[Smallville (TV series)|Smallville]]'', metahumans can be naturally occurring, but the majority of them on the show are the result of exposure to [[kryptonite#Smallville|kryptonite]], which in the ''Smallville'' universe can have the effect of turning people into super-powered "meteor freaks", often with psychotic side effects. Non-kryptonite metahumans include the ''Smallville'' versions of [[Aquaman]] and [[the Flash]]. ==See also== *[[Homo Magi]] *[[Homo mermanus|Homo Mermanus]] *[[Metamutant]] *[[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|Mutant]] *[[Mutate (comics)|Mutate]] ==Notes and references== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.dcuguide.com/History/History_Beginning.php DCU Guide History: 14 Million B.C.] *[http://www.monitorduty.com/mdarchives/2005/10/alan_kistlers_p_1.shtml Monitor Duty: Profile on the Martian Manhunter] *[http://www.wildcardsonline.com/origins.html Wildcardsonline.com: Wild cards origins] - Origin of the comic book term "Metahuman" [[Category:Comic book terminology]] [[Category:DC Comics species]] [[Category:Human-derived fictional species]] [[Category:DC Comics metahumans| ]] [[pt:Meta-humano]]