Metahuman

Metahuman are a species that features in DC Comics.

History

Origin

Metahumans was a term given to those that possessed the Metagene allowing them to manifest superpowers in the face of adverse conditions. (Invasion! v1 #1)

Upon their study of humans, the White Martians manipulations of their genetics led to them inadvertently creating a biological catastrophe. This act badly damaged the potential of mankind who were destined to had become a race of superhumans that could have developed into gods but instead left the majority of the species as non-powered individuals. (JLA v1 #4)

The cruel White Martians would often make sport of their test subjects until the primitive humans learnt their weakness to fire and rose up against them. (Son of Vulcan v2 #5)

In early human history, the Pale Martians came to return to Earth where they took the guise of gods and tyrannical ruled over humanity. Once more, they used humans for their amusement whilst hidden experiments in the Metagene were conducted once again. This led to the accidental creation of a metavirus that gave its wielders pyrokinetic abilities allowing them to fight off the White Martians once more. The people infected with the metavirus then vowed to prevent the Pale Martians from ever conquering mankind again where they reverse engineered their technology that was used to arm a line of fire to fight off any future invasion by them. (Son of Vulcan v2 #5)

During World War II, the Third Reich had a brilliant biogeneticist in Klaus Schimmel who had considerable expertise in the field of Metagenetics which made him a valuable resource. As the global conflict ended, he was spirited away from Germany by the Office of Strategic Services before the Soviet Union's Red army arrived in the country. Schimmel was taken to America where he was given a new identity of Egrin Wahrman in order to continue his research though he showed few findings during this time leading to the government cutting his funding. He was then approached by a mysterious benefactor with the company Symbolix being formed to continue this work with him being unaware that this individual was Vandal Savage. Savage had provided him with cell samples from his own counters against the Justice Society of America which led to progress in the research. Under Savage's direction, a number of research initiatives were made at cultivating the Metahuman research with Project Proteus placing the Meta-DNA in an artificial being raised in a laboratory, Project Niobe introducing fertilised eggs containing the DNA in a human surrogate and Project Telemachus infusing the DNA in a naturally born child with pre-existing Metahuman potential. (Damage v1 #12)

The Dominators came upon the existence of Metagene when they conducted an experiment of random abducted humans that were put through a lethal scenario in order to see how many developed powers as a result. Their findings determined that the Metagene was common amongst humanity and considered the potential of large numbers of Metahumans to be a threat to their control. It was for this reason that they quickly orchestrated the creation of the Alien Alliance with the goal of conquering Earth and subjugating its Metahuman population. (Invasion! v1 #1)

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 later developed a treatment that could provide superpowers to anyone and he offered it as part of his 'Metagene for Everyone' Program. (52 v1 #8)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Metahumans

According to an account by the Joker, 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. Thus, the word 'meta' was short for the 'metal' that was detected within the body of a person. This natural toxicity was the 'variant' that changed the individual's DNA results in the Metagene and its various heightened abilities and powers. (Road to Dark Nights: Metal v1 #1)

The lineage of metahumans and their origins can be traced by this Nth Metal connection, dating all the way back to three tribes from the earliest known era of humanity; the Bird Tribe, the Wolf Tribe and the Bear Tribe.

When the Totality crashed to Earth and introduced the various forms of Heavy Metal and other mysterious forces into the world, The Bear tribe and Vandar Adg of the Wolf Tribe were the first ones to encounter the Totality. They were all mutated by the radiation of the Totality, granting them immortality and making them the world's earliest iteration of metahumans.

Lex Luthor came to study the Amazo android created by Professor Anthony Ivo in order to learn more about its ability to replicate the powers of any Metahuman. Through these experiments, he managed to isolate an enzyme and created a virus that was designed to patch onto the Metahuman gene. This led to the creation of the Amazo Virus whose purpose was to suppress the Metagene with the intention being for its use against criminal subjects. However, it proved too controversial and the project was shelved upon Luthor’s presentation of the virus to the White House. It remained within Luthor’s personal laboratory when he came under attack from the supervillain Neutron leading to the Amazo Virus’s release. Upon it being freed, it infected a prime subject known as Patient Zero and mutated where it became a deadly disease that caused people to develop superpowers only to die from the effects of the virus. Those with Metahuman abilities went into a coma and had their powers suppressed thus causing widespread chaos whilst the Justice League sought out Patient Zero. (Justice League v2 #36) Ultimately, Lex Luthor was able to synthesise a cure through Superman’s blood as the Kryptonian had developed an immunity to the disease. Once the vaccine was administered, the populace was cure and the short quarantine was lifted though it was discovered that 3% of the infected retained the use of their powers leading to the rise of new heroes and villains. (Justice League v2 #39)

Years ago, a consortium of billionaires created the Ark Program who wanted to create their own Metahumans with them kidnapping and experimenting on the poor. Batman was said to had discovered the existence of the program and shut it down but could only save one family from the experiments. (Batman and the Outsiders v3 #1)

At some point, work conducted by Dr. Jace led to The Supermen Theory that proposed that after the arrival of Superman that a rapid rise in the Metahuman population with 98% being Americans being the result of U.S. government experimentation. This came as the result of Rex Mason, Kirk Langstrom and Sondra Fuller were all claimed to had been artificially created with Lady Clayface stating that she had ties to the Department of Metahuman Affairs. In response, LexCorp was said to had adopted an anti-Metahuman position and were looking to make use of Metahuman Detectors. Widespread use of the technology led to reports of a Metahuman arms race developing among nations. (Doomsday Clock v1 #3)

Overview

In appearance, Metahumans were members of the human race that were bearers of the Metagene that was a genetic factor that could allow a person to manifest superpowers. (Invasion! v1 #1)

According to one account, 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, the “meta” being short for the "metal" it detected. This natural toxicity is the "variant" that changes the individual's DNA results in the metagene and its various heightened abilities and powers. (Road to Dark Nights: Metal v1 #1)

One of the Dominators discovered that select members of the human race had a 'biological variant,' which he called the Metagene. This gene often lay dormant until an instant of extraordinary physical and emotional stress activates it. A 'spontaneous chromosomal combustion' then took place as the metagene takes the source of the biostress – be it chemical, radioactive or whatever – and turns the potential catastrophe into a catalyst for 'genetic change', resulting in metahuman abilities.

Some metahumans may be born with incredible and incomprehensible powers and abilities. Examples of powers shared by many individuals include telepathy, telekinesis, flight, the ability to project energy, accelerated healing; and enhanced physical strength, agility, or senses—all to variable limits. Other metahumans may also experience a minor to radical alteration in physical appearance from the human norm—wings, gills, a tail, fur, altered skin-color, etc.

Classification of Metahumans was made on a ranking system that included alpha-, beta- and gamma-level threats.

Metahuman criminals are incarcerated in special metahuman prisons. Prisoners in this facility are tagged with nanobyte tracers injected into their bloodstream that allow them to be located.

Members

• Dinah Laurel Lance :
• Alix Harrower :
• Duke Thomas :
• Grant Emmerson :
• Beast Boy :
• Kelvin Mao :
• Manchester Black :
• Daniel Brickwell :
• Kay Challis :
• Cameron Chase :
• Brion Markov :
• Crazy Jane :
• Isaiah Crockett :
• Beast Boy :
• Blacksmith :
• Fallout :

Notes

• Metahumans are basically the DC Universe's version of Marvel's mutants. They featured prominently in Birds of Prey.

Alternate Versions

• In JLX v1 #1 (1996), a variation of Metahumans was mixed with Mutants to create Metamutants in the setting of the Amalgam Comics crossover between Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

In other media

Television

• In Birds of Prey, Metahumans appeared in the setting of the live-action television series. New Gotham had a thriving metahuman underground, mostly made of metahumans who are trying to live their own lives, although a self-hating metahuman, Claude Morton tried to convince the police that all metahumans were evil.
• In Smallville, superpowered beings appeared in the setting of the live-action television series. The majority were the result of exposure to kryptonite, which in the Smallville universe can turn people into superpowered meteor freaks, often with psychotic side effects.
• In Young Justice, Metahumans appeared in the setting of the animated television series with their emergence being explained in season 2 as being the result of activation of the Metagene. In "Evolution", it is revealed Vandal Savage was the first metahuman because of the fallen meteor which bestowed him a healing factor and super-intelligence on Mongolia during the Pleistocene. When the Justice League fell under the Light's control, they were sent to attack an alien world in an effort by Vandal Savage to put Earth on the galactic stage. This caused several alien races to learn of the Metagene and the potential to weaponise Metahumans for their own use with the Kroloteans along with the Reach being factions attempting to harness mankind for their own use. After their defeat, Metahuman trafficking began to spiral on Earth as countries and even corporations began to abduct those with the Metagene who were made active and used as living weapons. A number of them were taken and given by the Light to the forces of Apokolips with them being deployed on warfronts across the galaxy. A Metahuman trafficking organization known as Bedlam operated from Markovia where they used a substance known as Tar native to the area as a means of triggering a persons Metagene.
• In the Arrowverse, Metahumans made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting:
  • In The Flash, Metahumans made their first appearance in the live-action television series starting from the pilot. It was said that their rise on Earth-One was due to a S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator experiment accident that occurred in Central City. This caused a wave of dark energy spread around the city that led to the creation of Metahumans that were imbued with various powers as a result of the event.
  • In Arrow, Metahumans began to make an appearance in the live-action television series.
  • In Legends of Tomorrow, Metahumans appeared in the setting of the live-action television series.
  • In Supergirl, Metahumans appeared in the setting of the live-action television series that was set in the alternate Earth-38 universe. Humanity is aware of superpowered extraterrestrials such as Supergirl, her cousin Superman, and J'onn J'onzz, but the existence of metahumans is not widely known on Earth-38 until the first season's episode "Worlds Finest," a crossover with The Flash. In this episode, the Silver Banshee and Livewire publicly battle Supergirl and the Flash, revealing the case of transhuman beings with uncanny abilities in the process. Silver Banshee's powers are mystical in origin and nature, while Livewire's are from an anomalous mutagenic accident. Since the inhabitants of Supergirl's Earth have no experience with metahuman threats, the Flash provides National City's authorities with the means to combat and contain them before returning to his universe. Later, in season two's episode "We Can Be Heroes", shows that a prison facility at National City is using the Flash's world's (Earth-1) metahuman-power dampeners to restrain its transhuman prisoners; the technology is later used by Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO) and eventually they align with Earth-1's S.T.A.R. Labs. Human criminals begin experimenting on metahumans after the revelation of the possibility of transhumanism since their emergences in hopes of acquiring powers for themselves with goals to battle against extraterrestrial beings such as Supergirl, of which three metahumans were created with Livewire's powers. In season three, more metahumans begin to appear, including Psi, whose powers surface following her maturity. In season four, a serum developed by Lena Luthor, derived from a mineral from the planet Krypton called Harun-El (a black kryptonite), gives both Lex Luthor and James Olsen metahuman abilities including superhuman strength and invulnerability equivalent to a Kryptonian's, accelerated healing process, and heightened senses.
• In Black Lightning, Metahumans appeared in the setting of the live-action television series. It was shown that they came as the result of experiments conducted by the shadowy A.S.A who were using controlled drug programs on African-Americans at Freeland. This caused the accidental emergence of some people developing superpowers with these being referred to as Meta-Humans. Under Martin Procter, the agency illegally developed an addictive derivative of the drug called Green Light, which is distributed as a recreational drug in hopes to create more metahumans for Procter's agendas. Because the metahumans are dying from unstable mutations, Procter seeks to capture Black Lightning and his offspring because they are the only known stable specimens of the agency's drug. After Procter's death, the A.S.A.'s experiments are exposed and Freeland's metahumans' origin has become a public knowledge. However, it ignites an anti-metahuman bigotry amongst the people in Freeland.
• In Gotham, superpowered beings appeared in the setting of the live-action television series. They were created when Professor Hugo Strange experimented on dead and living bodies of criminals, Arkham Asylum patients, and civilians under the orders of the Court of Owls.

Films

• In the DC Extended Universe, Metahumans made a number of appearances in the shared continuity setting.
  • In Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, the term Metahumans was used to describe beings with superhuman powers. A Metahuman Thesis had been made by Lex Luthor that stated that there were such beings in the world. His research included files on numerous Metahumans with this data stolen by Batman. Batman later sought to gather these Metahumans to be a group of superheroes to protect the world from threats.
  • In Suicide Squad, Metahumans were referred to in the live-action movie to describe people with superhuman powers. Amanda Waller sought to use Metahuman criminals as part of a black ops unit called Task Force X to be used to battle rogue Metahumans.

Appearances

• Invasion! v1:
• JLA v1:
• Son of Vulcan v2:
• Justice League of America v2:
• Justice League v2:
• Justice League v3:
• Justice League v4:

Links

Internal Links

• Gene-Bomb
• Metamutants

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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