metahuman

Metahuman is a term used primarily in DC Comics to describe a human being who possesses superhuman abilities. Metahumans are distinguished from aliens or ordinary humans by extraordinary powers that can arise from genetic mutation, alien heritage, exposure to exotic energies, magic, or advanced technology. The concept provides a framework for explaining a wide variety of individuals who appear in superhero stories, from street-level vigilantes to global-scale heroes and villains.

The designation has evolved across publications and media. It is often invoked to classify newly powered characters after pivotal events such as cosmic disturbances, genetic re-sequencing, or experimental science, and it is used by heroes, law-enforcement agencies, governments, and news media within the DC Universe. The term’s flexibility allows metas to display strengths as varied as super speed, flight, strength, telepathy, shape-shifting, or elemental control.

Debates about metas frequently appear in DC fiction, focusing on safety, regulation, ethics, and civil rights. Some metas use their abilities to protect the public; others pose ethical questions or become threats. In-universe organizations, such as superhero teams and government-aligned agencies, interact with metahumans in ongoing storylines.

Notable examples from DC Comics and related media include the Flash family—Barry Allen and his successors—who exemplify speed-based metas, among many others across comics, animation, and live-action adaptations. In broader discourse, metafunctions describe a general class of powered humans in contemporary superhero storytelling.