At the beginning of comic books, there were mainly only two methods of identifying a character, which was as a “superhero” or as a “vigilante.” There wasn't much of a middle ground, in this sense, until much later when “Meta-humans” came around. These were characters that existed in universes like DC who were human in nature yet supernaturally powerfully.
While many characters fall under this category, there are many still who have been miscategorized, because of what they look like and what they can do. To partially rectify this, then, let’s explore 10 DC characters who are often mislabeled as Meta-human.
10 Count Vertigo
In many cases where characters are often mislabeled, it’s usually the combination of human physicality and supernatural capabilities that results in misunderstanding. Even so, though, there are many characters within the DC Universe that don’t qualify as Meta-humans, due to the source of their powers. Most Meta-humans derive their powers internally due to biology, while characters like Count Vertigo utilize external sources, like technology.
He specifically utilizes an ear implant to induce reactions of vertigo into others, which he then uses to support his villainous front. Overall, though, he's easily transparent to tech-savvy of characters, who use his reliance on technology to their advantage.
9 Big Barda
Despite her humanoid features and superhuman powers, Big Barda is not at all Meta-human. She’s actually an alien from the planet Apokolips, and it was there where she was born into the New God bloodline. This heritage in turn left her incredibly strong and invulnerable to most, and it was through Granny Goodness’ training that she became one of the most formidable warriors around.
Living on Earth, though, Barda definitely underplays her powers, so as to remain hidden from Darkseid's forces. Barda, in this sense, is much more alike in nature to that of Superman.
8 Booster Gold
Anyone who’s ever seen Booster Gold in action knows that he has many superhuman abilities. Unlike most superhumans, though, Booster is by no means a Meta-human. He’s actually a human from the future, who stole a bunch of technology and traveled to the 20th century, with the intent of capitalizing on a superhero persona.
Using this stolen technology, Booster then began to garner attention as a flashy superhero with notable abilities like flight, super-strength, and even telescopic vision. Booster as a whole, though, is hardly defined by just his gadgets alone- as it is the heart and charm of the person beneath that suit which appeals to most.
7 Zatanna
Despite her popularity, most are probably unfamiliar with the origin story of Zatanna Zatara, which might have to do with the kind of presence that she maintains in comics. Often in DC stories Zatanna will be treated like a character that needs no explanation because she’s always been around. Regardless of this, Zatanna does have a backstory for her character, and a strange one, at that.
As it turns out, Zatanna was actually born Homo-magi, which is is a separate race of humans who developed an affinity for magic. Her mother was a member of the Homo-magi, while her father was an indirect descendent of them. More importantly, though, due to this linage, Zatanna wouldn't be considered a Meta-human.
6 Black Manta
Given how often he goes up against Metas like Aquaman, it may be surprising to learn that Black Manta’s entirely human. Born to human parents, Manta grew up on the sea with his father, where they would collaborate together as a treasure-hunting duo. This would change in the aftermath of his death, though, when Manta would swear vengeance against Aquaman.
From here, he’d turn to create weapons and tactical gear that was strong enough to withstand and damage a Meta like Aquaman. The most notable, of which, include a laser-blasting helmet. The resulting application of these thus led to many battles where Manta held his own against Aquaman, in spite of his human biology.
5 Star-Girl
Looking closely at Stargirl, and specifically the source of her powers, it can be hard to determine where she falls. Is it through the magic that she has powers, or is it due to some kind of alien technology that somehow found its way to Earth? In any case, though, readers are at least certain that she’s not a Meta-human. Those who’ve gone on to wield the Cosmic Staff and don the “Star” name have nearly all been human.
Stargirl herself is human, and just as it was before with her predecessors, it is only when using the staff that she’s been able to fly and project energy. She’s additionally had other abilities too thanks to her Cosmic Converter belt, which grants her invulnerability, agility, and even the ability to create force fields.
4 Ra’s Al Ghul
Although there’ve been many dangerous villains to have graced DC’s pages, none are perhaps more persistent to remain than Ra’s Al Ghul. A feat, of which, is undeniably due to his immortality. Though, unlike other immortals, such as Vandal Savage, Ra’s’ immortality originates from an external source- the Lazarus pit.
Aside from that factor of his life, Ra’s is biologically no different from any other human. This hardly means that he’s ordinary, though, as Ra’s has spent much of his ceaseless existence advancing physically, intellectually, and even economically. Still, one could argue that Ra’s has actually been debilitated by the pits, due to its mental side-effects.
3 Dr. Cyber
Apart from most on this list, Dr. Cyber is one of the more unique cases where a human character physically dies yet survives metaphysically. For this particular instance, it would be the human Dr. Andrianna Anderson who would die only to survive in the form of a neural construct known as Dr. Cyber. Using this form, she not only has unlimited access to every kind of technology but can also maintain a God-like control over them.
This power can be especially devastating, considering the kind of consequences it entails for a modern society like ours. Due to her lack of humanity, though, Dr. Cyber still wouldn’t be considered a Meta.
2 Harley Quinn
Considering how often Harley manages to walk away from disasters in-tact, you’d think that at least she would be Meta-human. But obviously that’s not true here. No, despite her novelty, Harley is technically human. Sure, she’s definitely different from most humans, but underneath it all, she’s still human.
The resulting effect of Ivy’s injection, which left her stronger and more durable, also wouldn’t be enough to argue that Harley as a Meta-human. To be considered a Meta-human, a character would have to be equal parts human and superhuman, and because Harley is entirely human, she wouldn’t fall under Meta-human.
1 Mister Terrific
Similar to the legacy of Stargirl, the Mister Terrific’s of DC have all been human. Though one wouldn’t know it, considering the number of accomplishments they had accumulated in such a short period of time. The current Mister Terrific, Micheal Holt, is even considered the 3rd smartest character in the DC universe and has his own impressive list of accomplishments. For example, by his early 20’s, Holt had not only earned four Ph.D.’s in multiple subjects but established the tech company Cyberware.
As a hero, Holt further excels as a remarkable tactician and engineer. He’s even created new technology like the T-sphere to assist him further. For this reason, Mister Terrific stands out as an example of mankind’s immense potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with even the strongest of Metas.