- "They're called Meta-humans. At least, that's was S.T.A.R. Labs is calling them. People with very powerful abilities and they can do anything."
- —Rayne, about Meta-humans
Meta-humans, often called Metas for short, are individuals who acquired superhuman powers and abilities after experiencing mutation of their bodies (in comparison to magic users, who learned how to harness primordial energies without being mutated themselves). Most obtained their powers after surviving an explosion caused by a malfunction of the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator on December 11, 2013. They were exposed to the particles and dark matter that altered their genetic, chemical, or even atomic structure, giving them a variety of abilities. These abilities seem to often relate to what energy or matter they were directly in contact with at the time of exposure.
On Earth Two, intending to prevent the negative effects of the particle accelerator, Dr. Harrison Wells of that universe allowed excess radiation to flow underground, with the first meta-human appearing 11 hours following.
Powers and Abilities[]
There are a wide range of meta-human powers, including everything from time distortion to elemental manipulation. Meta-humans who gained their abilities from the dark matter explosion in Central City often have powers influenced by unusual conditions at the time of exposure: Barry Allen was struck by lightning and gained access to the Speed Force, giving off electricity when he runs at superhuman speeds, while Tony Woodward and Joseph Monteleone gained the power to transform into the substance they were immersed in during the explosion (steel and tar, respectively).
Due to their altered physiology certain, meta-human powers affect Meta-humans differently than normal humans. Barry remained infected by Bivolo when the effects only lasted 5 minutes in a normal person.
The emotional state of a meta-human also has an influence on their powers; reacting and strengthening when the meta-human is in a state of emotional stress.