| Mantis | |
|---|---|
 Mantis as depicted in New Gods #2 (1971). Art by Jack Kirby. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Forever People #2 (June 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unknown |
| Species | New Gods |
| Place of origin | Apokolips |
| Team affiliations | Darkseid's Elite |
| Abilities |
|
Mantis is a fictional supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, part of Jack Kirby's New Gods series. [1]
Mantis first appeared in Forever People #2 (June 1971) and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby. [2]
Mantis is the leader of a colony of humanoid insects who migrated from New Genesis. In return for his fealty, Darkseid gave him 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, becoming a founding member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains. Like many of the denizens of Apokolips, has occasionally risen up against his master. [3]
Mantis is featured in the limited series Death of the New Gods , where he allies with Darkseid's son Kalibak to battle Superman and Himon. 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. [4] Mantis returns following The New 52 relaunch, which rebooted the continuity of the DC Comics universe. [5]
Mantis is an energy vampire who can project tremendous blasts of energy and absorb virtually any form of energy or power source. [6] [7] Mantis can also teleport and generate boom tubes which enable him to teleport others. [8] Mantis can also sense and detect energy, enabling him to sense opponents who are invisible and strike those who are intangible. [7]
Mantis possesses a "thermal touch" which enables him to generate heat and he can create "frigi-blocks" which trap opponents in ice. [9] Mantis' most dangerous power is his ability to generate antimatter. He can destroy anything he touches by creating antimatter in the object that he touched. [10]
Mantis appears in the crossover miniseries DC X Sonic the Hedgehog. [14]
