Differently-Powered Individual: Difference between revisions

** Ironically, many superhumans are still mistaken for mutants, with [[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]] at the top of the list.

** Mutants can further be broken down into Alpha, Beta and Omega, in reference to how well they can control their power: Alphas are able to turn theirs on or off at will, like Jubilee, Shadowcat or Colossus; while Betas' powers are always active, like Wolverine, Cyclops, or Rogue. Omegas are rare (by which we mean 90% of the main cast are listed as such at one point or another) and are basically some of the most powerful beings in the universe -- the prime example of an Omega is Jean/Phoenix. There are also lower Gamma/Delta levels for mutants who just got screwed, like the one whose sole power was a ten-foot neck, and those who didn't get (or lost) the [[Required Secondary Powers]] they needed.

** "Costume" is sometimes used as a noun to refer to people who dress up in spandex and fight or cause crime, regardless of whether they have powers or not.

*** "Cape" is a similar term in the DCU, and the [[DCAU]] gives us the great line, "Uh-oh. Long-johns at 10 o'clock!"

** ''[[The Authority]]'' also used the term "Mask".

* [[Ultimate Marvel]] also uses "posthuman".

* In the works of Alan Moore's America's Best Comics (ABC) series (''[[Top Ten]]'', ''[[Promethea]]'', ''[[Tom Strong]]'' and others), superheroes are referred to as "science-heroes." ([[Science Fantasy|Even the magical ones]].) This was because the publisher Wildstorm, of which ABC was an imprint, was initially an independent company and therefore restricted from using the term "superhero" which is jointly trademarked by DC and Marvel. When DC acquired Wildstorm, the ABC titles were already far enough into their run that the term "science hero" was retained.

* In ''[[Watchmen]]'', they are referred to as "costume heroes", "masked avengers" or "masks", which is appropriate, as most [[Badass Normal|don't have superpowers]].