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A meta-human (Homo meta)[1] is a human being who has a Meta-Gene, which when activated can give them super-human abilities and characteristics. Such activation can occur through different methods, including the infliction of high levels of physical trauma,[2] chemistry,[3] and sorcery.[4]

Physical appearance[]

Meta-humans can vary in appearance, depending on the nature of their Meta-Gene attributes. Some, such as Virgil Hawkins, can retain their fully human appearance, without visible abnormal features;[2] others can acquire some inhuman characteristics but still remain mostly human-looking, like Delphis,[4] while others can have their physiology completely changed and become an unearthly creature, such as Ana von Furth.[3]

History[]

Early history[]

The first known meta-human is believed to be Vandal Savage, who developed the Meta-Gene from the radiation of a fallen meteor around 50,000 years ago, and passed it down to humanity through generations. Over the millennia, other subspecies of humans emerged from Homo meta, including Homo magi, humans with a genetic predisposition for magic, and Homo mermanus, humans capable of living and breathing underwater.[5]

2011-2016[]

Meta-humans gained galaxy-wide attention after the Light compelled six members of the Justice League to lead an attack on Rimbor.[6] This prompted the Kroloteans[7] and the Reach[2] to investigate the origin of super human powers and attempt to exploit them.

The Kroloteans managed to abduct several humans but their plans were effectively foiled by the Reach, who eliminated them from the Meta-Gene arms race.[8] The Reach conducted several experiments on kidnapped teenagers in an attempt to isolate, duplicate and weaponize Meta-Gene powers,[2] resulting in the creation of five known meta-humans: Virgil Hawkins, Tye Longshadow, Eduardo Dorado Jr., Asami Koizumi, and Shimmer. The Reach also conducted experiments on subjects with active Meta-Genes, such as Beast Boy and Impulse, to study their reactions to stress.[2]

2016-2020[]

Following the revelation of the Meta-Gene, meta-humans came to be exploited by a wide variety of groups; first-world nations, third-world nations, corporations, and criminal gangs. The trafficking of meta-humans, and particularly meta-human children, became a global crisis. Children were being abducted on a vast scale to be tested for the Meta-Gene and used. Even those who tested negative were rarely seen again.[3] The abduction of children sparked an outcry, including televised awareness campaigns.[9] Children and teens were favored in part because young runaways are more vulnerable with fewer connections, and in part because younger meta-humans are deemed more useful with a longer shelf-life.[10]

Various trafficking groups emerged, including the Bedlam Syndicate which used Tar to activate the Meta-Gene in abducted children.[3] Simon Stagg created a meta-trafficking operation under the shell company Branchwater Security, which instead focused on abducting already active metas, mainly criminals, and using nano-tech to mind control them. Both operations were shut down by teams coordinated by the "Anti-Light".[11]

The Light, as well as supporting groups like Bedlam, had their own direct meta-human operations. This included Project Rutabaga, where Klarion used magic to activate and control meta-teens, until he was stopped by the Outsiders and Zatanna.[4] The Light shipped many metas off world to serve Apokolips.[3] The main hub for this was the Orphanage under the control of Granny Goodness,[12] but some metas were shipped directly to Apokolips, such as Danny Chase, who was given to Desaad, who extracted his brain and placed it in a technological box.[13]

The Justice League and STAR Labs teamed up to create the Meta-Human Youth Center in Taos. The center provides support to young meta-humans[14] on a voluntary basis, including help controlling their powers and counselling.[15]

There was much public fear of metas, and there were few open metas in public life outside of the hero and villain communities, with popular actor Garfield Logan being a notable exception.[16] Garfield eventually went on to form the Outsiders as means of inspiring young metas, hoping to use social media as a means of bypassing traditional media that was largely hostile to metas.[17] Lex Luthor set up Infinity, Inc. as a copycat group in hopes of subverting and supplanting the Outsiders, but his plan failed when his involvement with them was exposed.[18]

As United Nations Secretary-General, Luthor schemed to set up a meta-human and vigilante registration program, but public opinion went against him, thanks to the Outsiders,[19] and he was ousted before he could try again.[18] The Outsiders had a significant positive impact on public opinion of metas.[20]

After taking the Markovian throne, Brion Markov declared his country a safe haven for metas. A program was set up where anyone who tested positive for the meta-gene could go to a Markovian embassy or mission and get an instant visa and transportation to Markovia. The Markov Family Meta-Human Youth Center was set up to care for metas, where T.R. 2.0 was used to activate new metas with a 95% success rate. Infinity, Inc., rebranded as the Infinitors, was now under Brion's command and served to protect metas in Markovia, while the Infinity Cadets was set up as a training program for new metas.[21]

These policies were not universally popular in Markovia, with fleeing non-metas creating a refugee crisis in neighboring Vlatava.[22] This was at least in part due to the Infinitors intimidating non-metas into leaving. Anti-meta gangs also existed, trying to kill or force out metas.[21]

Known meta-humans[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. Grevioux, Kevin (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (December 9, 2021). "Nomed Esir!". Young Justice. Season 4. Episode 10. HBO Max.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Hopps, Kevin (writer) & Divar, Tim (director) (Originally released on iTunes on October 14, 2012, broadcast on January 5, 2013). "Before the Dawn". Young Justice. Season 2. Episode 10. Cartoon Network.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Weisman, Greg (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (January 4, 2019). "Princes All". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 1. DC Universe.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Weisman, Greg (writer) & Heuck, Vinton (director) (July 16, 2019). "Early Warning". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 18. DC Universe.
  5. Vietti, Brandon (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (January 18, 2019). "Evolution". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 7. DC Universe.
  6. Weisman, Greg (writer) & Chang, Michael, Montgomery, Lauren (directors) (April 21, 2012). "Auld Acquaintance". Young Justice. Season 1. Episode 26. Cartoon Network.
  7. David, Peter (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (June 2, 2012). "Bloodlines". Young Justice. Season 2. Episode 6. Cartoon Network.
  8. Hopps, Kevin (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (May 12, 2012). "Alienated". Young Justice. Season 2. Episode 3. Cartoon Network.
  9. Robinson, Andrew (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (January 4, 2019). "Royal We". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 2. DC Universe.
  10. Weisman, Greg (2022-03-16). Question #25674. Ask Greg. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  11. David, Peter (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (January 18, 2019). "Triptych". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 8. DC Universe.
  12. Vietti, Brandon (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (July 2, 2019). "Influence". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 14. DC Universe.
  13. Fujita, Akira "Mark" (writer) & Sotta, Christina (director) (May 26, 2022). "Zenith and Abyss". Young Justice. Season 4. Episode 24. HBO Max.
  14. Weisman, Greg (writer) & Heuck, Vinton (director) (January 18, 2019). "Home Fires". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 9. DC Universe.
  15. Paredes, Francisco (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (January 25, 2019). "Exceptional Human Beings". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 10. DC Universe.
  16. Vietti, Brandon (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (January 4, 2019). "Eminent Threat". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 3. DC Universe.
  17. Vietti, Brandon (writer) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (July 9, 2019). "First Impression". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 17. DC Universe.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Krieg, Jim, Adams, Jeremy (writers) & Zwyer, Mel (director) (August 27, 2019). "Nevermore". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 26. DC Universe.
  19. Giacoppo, Paul (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (July 23, 2019). "Elder Wisdom". Young Justice. Season 3. Episode 19. DC Universe.
  20. Vietti, Brandon (writer) & Berkeley, Christopher (director) (March 31, 2022). "Emergency Dive". Young Justice. Season 4. Episode 16. HBO Max.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Vogel, Michael (writer) & Heuck, Vinton (director) (May 19, 2022). "Ego and Superego". Young Justice. Season 4. Episode 23. HBO Max.
  22. Blanchette, Andrew (writer) & Heuck, Vinton (director) (October 16, 2021). "Needful". Young Justice. Season 4. Episode 02. HBO Max.
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