| 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 that 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 the Green Lantern Corps. Mantis has at times served as Darkseid's lackey and, like many of the denizens of Apokolips, has occasionally risen up against his master. [3]
Mantis assists Darkseid in creating the first Secret Society of Super-Villains.
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.
Mantis is the second most powerful being on Apokolips, second to only Darkseid himself. [4] Mantis is an energy vampire who can project tremendous blasts of energy and absorb virtually any form of energy or power source, [4] including a power ring and the powers of a super being (as he did against the Martian Manhunter [5] ). He can even absorb magic, and can turn any energy against an opponent. [6] He cannot, however, absorb Captain Atom's powers of radiation. [7] Mantis can also teleport, [8] open up his own boom tubes [9] and he can charge matter with energy. [10] Mantis' energy powers grant him with the ability to sense and detect energy, enabling him to even sense an opponent who is invisible. [6] He can even strike beings who are intangible with his energy blasts. [6]
Mantis possesses a "thermal touch" which enables him to generate heat and he can create "frigi-blocks" which trap opponents in ice. [11] 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. [4] Mantis can generate and build large amounts of cosmic energy through his power pod which he keeps underground and heavily guarded. [4] If he uses up too much energy in a battle or becomes heavily injured, then he will flee to his power pod to recharge.
Alongside his vast energy-manipulating abilities, Mantis also possesses superhuman strength, durability, speed, and stamina. [11] He is also immortal, like all denizens of the Fourth World. [4]
An alternative universe version of Mantis appears in Justice League: Gods and Monsters .
Mantis appears as a boss and playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains , voiced by Lex Lang.[ citation needed ]
Darkseid is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, and debuted in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134.
The New Gods are a fictional extraterrestrial race appearing in the eponymous comic book series published by DC Comics, as well as selected other DC titles. Created and designed by Jack Kirby, they first appeared in February 1971 in New Gods #1.
Orion is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the son of Darkseid and half-brother of Kalibak and Grayven who was traded to Highfather as part of a peace deal between Apokolips and New Genesis. Since then, Orion has assisted the New Gods of New Genesis against his father and was also a member of the Justice League.
DeSaad is a supervillain, appearing in books published by DC Comics. He is one of the followers of Darkseid from the planet Apokolips in Jack Kirby's Fourth World meta-series.
Apokolips is a fictional planet that appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The planet is ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series, and is integral to many stories in the DC Universe. Apokolips is considered the opposite of the planet New Genesis.
Granny Goodness is a fictional supervillain and New God published by DC Comics.
The Female Furies are a group of women warriors and supervillains appearing in comics published by DC Comics. All of them are New Gods who serve Darkseid. They operate directly under Granny Goodness, who trains all of Darkseid's soldiers.
Imperiex is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He was initially introduced as an adversary to the superhero Superman, before becoming a main antagonist for the crossover "Our Worlds at War".
The Black Racer is a fictional character, a deity and avatar of Death in the DC Comics universe who often hunts those affiliated with the New Gods. The character first appears in New Gods #3 and was created by Jack Kirby.
Daniel "Terrible" Turpin is a character published by DC Comics. He first appeared as Brooklyn in Detective Comics #64, and first appeared as Dan Turpin in New Gods #5.
Lightray (Solis) is a DC Comics superhero. Created by Jack Kirby for the Jack Kirby's Fourth World meta-series, he first appeared in New Gods #1. Lightray was a major character in New Gods volume 1 (1971–1978), as well as volume 2 (1984), volume 3 (1989–1991) and volume 4 (1995–1997). He has also appeared with Orion in the Cosmic Odyssey limited series (1988–1989), Jack Kirby's Fourth World (1997–1998) and Orion (2000–2002).
Trigon is a supervillain appearing in media published by DC Comics. He is one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, having enslaved many worlds and dimensions. He is an adversary of the Teen Titans and the Justice League, the father and arch-enemy of the superhero Raven, and husband of the human Arella.
Steppenwolf is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in New Gods #7. A New God and military general from the planet Apokolips, Steppenwolf is the brother of Heggra and therefore the maternal uncle of Darkseid. He is commonly depicted as Darkseid's subordinate, commanding his army of Parademons in conflicts against Superman and the Justice League.
Grayven is a supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern #74, and was created by Ron Marz and Darryl Banks, making him one of the few New Gods characters not created by Jack Kirby.
Lashina is a supervillainess and Goddess warrior appearing in comics published by DC Comics.
Stompa is a fictional extraterrestrial supervillainess and goddess appearing in books published by DC Comics. Created by writer/artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Mister Miracle #6.
Virman Vundabar is a fictional extraterrestrial supervillain published by DC Comics.
Kanto is a supervillain and extraterrestrial assassin published by DC Comics.
Devilance the Pursuer is a fictional extraterrestrial hunter in the DC Comics universe.
