- Mantis (DC Comics)
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Mantis 
Mantis from New Gods #2, artist Jack KirbyPublication information Publisher DC Comics First appearance Forever People #2, (June 1971) Created by Jack Kirby In-story information Alter ego Mantis Species Bug Place of origin Apokolips Team affiliations Darkseid's Elite Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, stamina, agility and durability
Energy absorption, manipulation and projection
Ability to generate heat, cold and anti-matter
Flight
ImmortalityMantis is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Forever People #2 (vol. 1, June 1971), and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby.
Contents
Fictional character biography
Mantis is the leader of a colony of humanoid insects that migrated from New Genesis, in return for his fealty Darkseid gifted him with great power. He typically spent time in a power pod recharging his energies but he could also absorb energies sent at him by an opponent such as Green Lantern. Mantis has at times served as Darkseid's lackey and, like many of the denizens of Apokolips, has occasionally risen up against his master.[1]
Mantis is featured in issue #5 of the limited series Death of the New Gods. He partners with Darkseid's son Kalibak after the murders of many 'Fourth age' gods. While in 'Supertown', the duo battles Superman, Himon and the New Gods military leader 'The General'. During the battle, the Infinity-Man, acting as an agent for the Source Wall, attacks. He stuns the group and kills Mantis and Kalibak by removing their hearts.
Powers and abilities
Mantis is the second most powerful being on Apokolips, second to only Darkseid himself.[2] Mantis is an energy vampire who can project tremendous blasts of energy and absorb any form of energy or any power source,[2] including a power ring[3] or even the powers of a super being (as he did against the Martian Manhunter[4]). He can even absorb magic, and can turn any energy against an opponent.[5] Mantis can also teleport[6] and open up his own boom tubes[7] and he can charge matter with energy.[8] Mantis' energy powers enables him the ability to sense and detect energy, enabling him to even sense an opponent who is invisible.[5] He can even strike beings who are intangible with his energy blasts.[5]
Mantis possesses a "thermal touch" which enables him to generate heat and he can create "frigi-blocks" which traps opponents in ice.[9] Mantis' most dangerous power is his ability to generate antimatter. He can destroy anything he touches by creating anti-matter in the object that he touched.[2] Mantis can generate and build large amounts of cosmic energy through his power pod, which he keeps underground and heavily guarded.[2] If he uses too much energy up in a battle or becomes heavily injured he will flee to his power pod to recharge.
Alongside his vast energy manipulating abilities Mantis also possesses vast super strength, durability and stamina.[9] He also possesses super human speed, agility and reflexes and can fly.[2] Like all members of the Fourth World Mantis is immortal.
In other media
Television
- Mantis appears in the Justice League Unlimited animated series in the episode "Question Authority" voiced by an uncredited J.K. Simmons[citation needed]. He battles Superman and Captain Atom before being returned to Apokolips. He later appears in a cameo in "Alive" taking part in the civil war on Apokolips and then bowing before the returned Darkseid.
- Mantis appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode teaser "Cry Freedom Fighters!" voiced by Wade Williams. He attacks a cul-de-sac and ended up fighting Stargirl. She used her staff to create her own Bat-Signal to summon Batman only to end up getting Blue Beetle. It took the combined efforts of Stargirl and Blue Beetle to overload Mantis with their energy attacks. In "Darkseid Descending!", Mantis participates in Darkseid's plans to invade Earth.
References
- ^ The DC Comics Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 2004. p. 195. ISBN 0-7566-0592-x.
- ^ a b c d e Who's Who, The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #14 [Vol.1]
- ^ Secret Society of Super-Villains #4 [Vol.1]
- ^ Super Powers #6 [Vol.2]
- ^ a b c Super Powers #3 [Vol.2]
- ^ Legion of Super-Heroes #97 [Vol.4]
- ^ The Titans #40 [Vol.1]
- ^ Superman Confidential #10 [Vol.1]
- ^ a b The DC Comics Encyclopedia
External links
- Spider-Bob's Comic Book Encyclopedia
- Mantis at the DC Database
Jack Kirby's New Gods New Genesis Apokolips Darkseid • Deep Six • Desaad • Devilance • Doctor Bedlam • Kalibak • Steppenwolf • Doctor Bedlam • Grayven • Female Furies (Bernadeth, Stompa, Mad Harriet, Lashina, Gilotina) • Granny Goodness • Glorious Godfrey • Kanto • Mantis • Mortalla • Virman Vundabar • Parademon • JustifiersOther characters Locations Storylines Related articles List of New Gods • Darkseid's Elite • The Source • Anti-Life Equation • Mother Box • Boom Tube • Death of the New Gods • The Great Darkness SagaCategories:- Comics characters introduced in 1971
- New Gods of Apokolips
- DC Comics characters with superhuman strength
- DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
- Characters created by Jack Kirby
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