Metagene

The Metagene is a concept that features in DC Comics.

History

Origin

The Metagene was a genetic phenomenon that manifested in humanity and allowed for the development of Metahumans who gained superpowers. (Invasion! v1 #1) Long before the rise of mankind, the White Martians made regular journeys to the planet Earth whose native creatures were easy to manipulate. (JLA v1 #4) Each of these visits triggered some form of extinction on the planet. A few hundred million years later, they came upon the world during the rise of humanity where they conducted experiments on the bipedal creatures and they discovered a curious latent genetic signature giving them the potential for meta-powers with them naming his the Metagene. (Son of Vulcan v2 #5) Unknown to them at the time, Earth was to be the cradle of a superhuman race but the White Martian's experiments irreparably damaged their DNA thus turning a potential race of gods to being powerless humans. (JLA v1 #4) The Pale Martians were eventually drive off Earth by the primitive humans who had learnt that their tormentors were vulnerable to fire. For centuries afterwards, mankind lived with the reminder of the White Martians until eventually knowledge of the extraterrestrials began to fade from memory. It was then that the White Martians returned in the time of the Romans where they adopted the form of gods and once more made sport of mankind who were forced into gladiatorial combat for the amusement of their masters. During this time, the Metagene in a few of the fighters began to manifest thus attracting the interests of the Pale Martians who sought to study them. These experiments led to the creation of an artificial Metavirus that was used to infect those that lacked any Metahuman ability. In one case, the virus manifested and led to the host developing the ability to generate fire which he used to defeat the White Martians many of whom were forced to flee. This began a line of warriors whose power derived from the Metavirus where they became protectors of mankind who battled the Martians whenever they appeared thus creating the Son of Vulcan. (Son of Vulcan v2 #5)

In an attempt to understand Earth's superpowered beings, the Dominators conducted abductions of various human beings that were taken for experiments in understanding what triggered their talent for superpowers. They determined it was in the face of adverse conditions that a human triggered their natural ability to develop a superpower with this being a common trait among the species. This caused alarm among the Dominators who felt that the power to manifest Metahumans was a grave threat to them and resulted in them forming the Alien Alliance with the goal of conquering Earth. (Invasion! v1 #1)

Many humans' metagenes were activated by the Dominators' Gene-Bomb. Synthetic metagenes were developed at one point by the U.S. military by authorization of General Wade Eiling, but they were flawed, threatening to kill the first test subjects- the Ultramarines.

General Eiling had a team of geneticists synthesize the Metagene that was imparted on four recruits to turn them into super-soldiers that formed the International Ultramarine Corps. The process was lethal on the test subjects which meant that they could only live for a week. To hide their origin, the General created a cover story for the Ultramarine Corps that was designated as the Threshold Project. (JLA v1 #25)

A number of Metahumans began to emerge in Little Falls, Colorado with these being the result of a Meta-Virus that was deemed to had been released by the nation of Bialya as part of a terrorist attack. This was achieved through genetically engineered mosquitos that were used as the delivery mechanism that were designed to withstand the cold and made with technology used by the original Killer Bee who was a Bialyan operative. Unknown to anyone at the time, the virus made use of Kryptonian genetic signatures and was triggered by the planetary system’s yellow sun. Chaos resulted as over 30,000 new Metas had been unleashed on American soil that caused the superhero community to be pushed to the brink at containing dangers from the use of their powers. Some of the new Metas attempted to cooperate with the authorities whilst others struggled with their powers and even a few went rogue with them attacking others. (Action Comics v1 #802)

Lex Luthor claimed to had synthesised a human variant of the Metagene where he offered access to it by the all citizens in becoming a superhero. Thus, he declared that the Age of the Super-Citizen had begun and that mankind should do away with heroes such as Superman. (52 v1 #5)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new sequence of events were created as a result of the altered timeline. The Daemonites leading scientist Skugardt discovered its existence on Earth during the reign of Helspont as he sought out a means of genetic salvation. As a result, the Daemonites infiltrated the planet in order to cultivate it for the future though Helspont was betrayed and imprisoned whilst his agents divided into factions that no longer monitored its development. (Superman Annual v3 #1)

In Russia, in the wake of the Superman Theory the government began to pass new Metahuman laws that forced every newborn from birth to be tested for the Metagene which led to mass protests. (Doomsday Clock v1 #8)

Overview

This genetic anomaly was attributed to mankind's remarkable ability to develop super-powers in response to adverse stimuli. (Invasion! v1 #1) It was possible to synthesize the Metahuman gene though one attempt made it lethal to its hosts and killed them within a week. (JLA v1 #25)

It was held that the chances of a Metagene trigger occurring was 1-in-6.7 million in the modern age. (Action Comics v1 #801) During those years, it was estimated that 1-5 million humans typically undergo a Metagene transmutation per year. (Action Comics v1 #802)

Members

• Black Lightning :

Notes

• The Metagene was created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane where it made its first appearance in Invasion! v1 #1 (January, 1989).

In other media

Television

• In Young Justice, the Metagene made an appearance in the animated television series starting in the episode "Before the Dawn". Its existence was revealed and shown to be an object of interest to both the Kroloteans as well as the Reach.

Appearances

• Invasion! v1:
• Superman Annual v3:
• JLA v1:
• Son of Vulcan v2:
• 52 v1:
• Action Comics v1:
• Doomsday Clock v1: