Metahumans

In the DC Comics universe, "***Metahuman"*** is the common term for a section of the human population with superpowers. The term is used loosely in most instances, usually used to refer to any human-like being with extraordinary powers and abilities be they a result of science, magic, alien origins, mutation, divinity, proficiency or technology. A significant portion of Earth's metahuman population are normal human beings who are born with a genetic variant commonly referred to as the "metagene", which causes them to gain powers and abilities during freak accidents or times of intense psychological distress

## History

In the ***Invasion!*** event, the **Dominators** of the Dominion provided a concept for why humans in the DC Universe could survive catastrophic (usually fatal) events and develop superpowers as a result. The Dominators discovered that a portion of the human race had a "biological variant" contained inside every cell of their body which they called the "metagene" (also spelled "meta-gene") . This variant often lays dormant until an instant of extraordinary physical and emotional stress activates it, causing a "spontaneous chromosomal combustion" as the metagene takes the source of the bio-stress – be it chemical, cosmic, or whatever – and turns the potential catastrophe into a catalyst for "genetic change". This genetic change manifests as metahuman abilities. Some people posses metahuman abilities from birth despite having seemingly normal parent, suggesting the metagene can skip generations and activate spontaneously without any prior manifestation 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 infamous ultrasonic scream known as the Canary Cry.

Leading into the events of ***Dark Nights: Metal***, Batman revealed that the term "meta" originated from a rudimentary hospital program that would automatically flag Nth metal toxicity found in a person's bloodstream; the “meta” being short for the "metal" it detected. This natural toxicity changes the individual's DNA, resulting in a variety of heightened abilities and powers. The lineage of metahumans and their origins can be traced by way of 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**. During this era of Earth's existence **The Totality**, a piece of creation, crashed to earth and introduced various forms of Heavy Metal and other mysterious forces to the world. five prehistoric human siblings from the The Bear tribe, followed by **Vandar Adg** of the Wolf Tribe, were the first creatures to encounter the Totality and were changed. They were all mutated by the radiation of the Totality, making them immortal and the world’s earliest known Metahumans.

## Classification

**Terminology**

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. While the "metagene-metahuman" concept holds true in some form or another across DC's different continuities, DC does not use the metagene concept as a hard editorial rule and few writers explicitly reference the metagene when explaining a character's origin. The terms "meta" and "metahuman" may also be used to more broadly reference superpowered human beings who are not born with any genetic variant or superpowered beings who are not even human at all. Aliens such as Superman and the Martian Manhunter, divine beings like Wonder Woman, and even separate human-like species such as Atlanteans are often referred to as metahumans. the term can refer to anyone with extraordinary powers no matter the origins and including those not born with such power.

**Population:** There was believed to be 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 and the O.M.A.C.s consider Alpha- and Beta-level threats. For reference, Superman and Wonder Woman were categorized as **Alpha**-level**,** while Metamorpho was considered a **Beta** and the Ratcatcher is considered a **Gamma**-level. After the destruction of the source wall the number of Alpha and Beta level metahumans, as well as the general metahuman population, were sharply increased by the new cosmic radiations affecting the universe.

### Immortals

Main article: Immortals
Metahuman Immortals are metahumans who have the capacity to live nigh-indefinitely. There exists a long standing network of Immortal beings by various means (magic, ancient artifacts, metahuman powers, etc.) and within this community of immortals there are different warring factions stemming from the five original Immortal Bear Clan members. The Bear Clan immortals can share their immortality with metahumans whom they recruit to their individual "Houses". The Metahumans that are made immortal by the Bear Clan siblings inherit their longevity but do not receive their invulnerability.

### Force Users

Force users, such as speedsters, are metahumans with a metagene that makes them attuned to a one of the four aspects of the Forever Force; The Speed Force, Still Force, Sage Force, and the Strength Force. These genes can influence those who posses them even when dormant, such as those with the ‘speedster’ metagene being drawn to long, flat regions; which is why so many are in the Midwest. Force attune family lines with similar metagenes are also drawn to each other. The Allens and Wests are two such families, producing powerful and significant Speed Force avatars.

### Homo Magi

Not all humans get there powers from standard metahuman genetic, some humans have the inherent ability to utilize magic. These particular humans seem to be part of a different branch in the evolutionary tree called ''Homo Magi". The "Homo Magi" can mate and breed with normal humans and typically have no distinct qualities other than magic use.

### Aliens

Many aliens who reside on Earth have powers and abilities that are often mistaken for metahuman abilities. While many of these abilities are a result of their species' natural evolution, metas may not be strictly limited to humanity either. There have been instances in a variety of alien races of a section of their population rapidly adapting and evolving on a genetic level beyond what should not be possible. Most notably, the planet Maltus was home to a subsect of lifeforms who possessed "micro-colonies", cells that help creatures that possess them to evolve to maintain an advantage over threat in their ecosystem; very similar to the metahuman phenomenon on earth.

## Control and Countermeasures

It is possible for individuals skilled in science and biology to manipulate, dampen or modify the activities of the metagene. The Dominators were able to devise a Gene Bomb that would accelerate metagene activity to the point of cellular and physical instabilities. Checkmate was able to created an anti-metagene virus that had the opposite effects of the Gene Bomb, curbing and shutting down the metagene and stripping the metahumans of their powers for an unspecified amount of time.

Metahuman criminals are incarcerated in specialized metahuman prisons, which are outfitted not only with provisions to hold criminals whose powers are science- and technology-based, but even have mystical dampeners to contain the magic-based powers of the Homo magi. Prisoners in these facility are tagged with nanobyte tracers injected into their bloodstream and outfitted with power-dampening collars that allow them to be located wherever they are.

### The OMAC Project

OMACs are living machines, cyborgs created from human bodies that have been transformed by a virus in order to assassinate any and all beings with superpowers; specifically Metahumans. The virus is derived from Brainiac-13's nanotechnology, which had been acquired by the U.S. Department of Defense and Lexcorp, and was then secretly introduced into general vaccine supplies.

**Brother MK I**

The new OMACs are controlled by the Brother MK I satellite. Brother MK I was created by Batman and programmed by Pseudopersons Inc. scientist, and partner of Wayne Industries, Buddy Blank. Its sole purpose was to gather data on all metahumans, both villain and hero. Batman had grown distrustful of metahumans after discovering that the Justice League altered his memories following an altercation with Doctor Light in *Identity Crisis*. Maxwell Lord subverted the original mission of the Brother MK I satellite by inculcating a fear and suspicion of all metahumans. Alexander Luthor Jr. later gave the satellite sentience as part of his plans.

**Brother Eye**

When Maxwell Lord was killed by Wonder Woman, Brother MK I, rechristening itself Brother Eye and initiated the "KingIsDead" protocol. Specifically designed to be used in the event of Lord's death, it ordered all of the OMACs (all 1,373,462 of them) to attack and kill all metahumans on Earth and destroy Checkmate. A group superhero effort stopped the attack, using an EMP blast as well as a "Shut Down" command given by Sasha Bordeaux. While this drastically reduced the number of OMACs, remnants of OMAC technology is still out there.

## Habitat

**Habitat:** primarily Earth

**Gravity:** 9.80665 m / s2

**Atmosphere:** Roughly 78.09% Nitrogen, 20.95% Oxygen, 0.93% Argon, 0.038% Carbon Dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Metahumans usually thrive in an oxygen/nitrogen rich atmosphere, although based on origin or powers some sustain themselves in other environments without a definable atmosphere.