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    Mantis

    Character » Mantis appears in 95 issues.

    The ruler of the Bugs that fled from New Genesis to Apokolips where Darkseid bestowed many powers upon him in return for his loyalty.

    Short summary describing this character.

    Mantis last edited by Darkside_of_the_Sun on 10/06/18 06:04PM View full history

    Origin

    Mantis is one of the "bug" people of New Genesis and has been given some of his superhuman powers by Darkseid. Mantis left New Genesis first for Apokolips and then for Earth, where he planned to conquer as much of the planet as he possible could. He did this with the blessing of Darkseid, who hoped that the chaos Mantis created woukd help him in locating the human mind holding the all powerful Anti-life Equation.

    The bug has been referred to as the Energy Vampire, due to his ability to drain energy from his enemies. To regain his strength after a losing battle, Mantis rests in a tomb-like cocoon.

    The Forever People summoned the Infinity Man who defeated Mantis and ended his first assault on Earth. Mantis then organised the inhabitants of the "bug" colonies of New Genesis into an army that invaded Earth. Lightray, Orion and Forager battled Mantis and his army and forced them to retreat. Mantis went on to aid Darkseid in his continual attempts to conquer the Earth.

    During Orion's reign on Apokolips, Mantis retreated to New Genesis in order to "plant" firepits on the beautiful planet. He was quickly stopped by Mark Moonrider and Big Bear of the Forever People.

    Like most of Darkseid's minions, there were occasions when Mantis has risen up against his master, and was punished in the most severe way.

    Death of New Gods

    Mantis was also killed by the Infinity Man, who was working with the Source as an agent, with Kalibak in a fight against Superman and Orion during the " Death of the New Gods" series.

    Powers and Abilities

    Powers

    New God Physiology

    The beings of Apokolips call themselves gods and live in a realm called the Fourth World which is outside normal space and time. Their strength is due to their relative proximity to the Source, an energy which fuels the powers of the beings in Apokolips. The inhabitants of New Genesis are far more stronger, faster, smarter and are said to be immortal.

    • Superhuman Strength: He is considered one of the most strongest New Gods, being able to match with Superman and Infinity Man and also able to lift 100,000 tons, without any effort.
    • Superhuman Speed
    • Superhuman Reflexes
    • Superhuman Stamina
    • Superhuman Senses: As a New God, he has all senses expanded at superhuman levels
    • Invulnerability: As a New God Mantis is resistant to most forms of energy phsyical attacks, being able to withstand hits from people like Infinity Man, Orion, Superman and even Lightray's powers.
    • Immortality: As a New God Mantis has an extended lifespan which allows him to exist indefinitely, he doesn't age, wither or degrade.
    • Immunity: New Gods have an advanced immune system, which allows him to survive on Apokolips enviromental (which is full of diseases and toxins) and be immune to toxin and diseases from other planets.
    • Flight

    Ater Darkseid's Empowerment:

    • Energy Manipulation: After have its powers increased by Darkseid, Mantis became a sort of energy vampire able to absorb and releases unlimited amounts of energy, for various purposes.
    • Absorption: Mantis can absorb unlimited amounts of energy from any power source, as light, life force, heat, magic, powers and many others.
    • Projection: Mantis can project blast from any part of his body and control its direction, he can also use this ability to redirect energies against an opponent, it is stated that his powers are capable of harming intangible beings.
    • Energy Enhanced Strike: Mantis can charge his hands with energy, multiplying the strength of his blows.
    • Charging: Mantis can also channel their energies on the matter to overload it and thereby disrupt the molecular bonds, causing it to explode.
    • Sensing/Tracking: Mantis' energy powers enables him to sense and detect energy, enabling to sense an invisble opponent and even tracking a person through his energetic signature.
    • Anti-Matter Manipulation: Another power given by Darkseid is the ability to emit Anti-matter radiation from his hands to annihilate anything he comes in contact, sometimes it already proved to be able to use this power as blast.
    • Thermal Manipulation: Mantis is capable to generate heat and cold energies from his hand, exciting molecular agitation inducing intense heat to melt any material that could come into contact or intense cold to freeze and / or imprison people in a thick ice cocoon.
    • Teleportation: Like Darkseid, Mantis is also able to create and open his own Boom Tubes to teleport himself and others, across inter-dimensional and short distances.

    Personal Data

    Characteristcs:

    • Gender: Male
    • Height: 6'4"
    • Weight: 225lbs.
    • Eyes: Orange
    • Hair: Bald
    • Skin Color: White

    Other Versions

    An version of Mantis make a cameo on Justice League: The Nail, as one of Darkseid's servant.

    Other Media

    Television

    Justice League Unlimited

    No Caption Provided

    Mantis appears in the episode "Question Authority", destroying a building in Metropolis while claiming Earth as his domain, until he was stopped by the combined efforts of Superman and Captain Atom. In Justice League Unlimited season 3, he makes a brief appearance in the episode "Alive!" taking part in the civil war on Apokolips, alongside Virman Vundabar and Kanto until the return of Darkseid. He was voiced by J.K Simmons.

    Batman: The Brave and the Bold

    Mantis appears in the episode "Cry Freedom Fighters!", attacking a town and ends up fighting Stargirl and how he's absorbing the energy of the cosmic staff, she realizes that she can't face it alone and then used her staff to create a Bat-Signal, but Batman was unavailable and Blue Beetle answered the call. Stargirl and Blue Beetle combinated their powers to overload Mantis. Later he reappears in the episode "Darkseid Descending!", where Darkseid and Apokolips forces invade Earth. He was voiced by Wade Williams.

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