Metahuman

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 was first used by the alien Dominators when they appeared in DC Comics' Invasion! mini-series in 1988.^[1] The Dominators use this term to refer to any human with superhuman abilities.

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

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".^[7]

• In Birds of Prey, metahumans included heroines the Huntress and Dinah Lance. They are treated seemingly as a race or species separate from humans.
• In Smallville, metahumans can occur naturally. However, the majority are the result of exposure to kryptonite, which can give humans superpowers.
• In Young Justice, the Kroloteans and Reach conduct experiments in triggering and manipulate the metahuman gene. In the third season, humans learn to detect and activate the metagene, resulting in widespread metahuman trafficking. The episode "Evolution" reveals that Vandal Savage was the first metahuman and the ancestor of all other metahumans.
• In the Arrowverse franchise, "metahuman" is used more narrowly than in the comics, typically referring to a human being who becomes transhuman 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 from DC Comics Wikia
• Mutants & Mutates from Marvel Comics Wikia