Mantis (DC Comics)

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 gives him great power. Mantis spends much of his time in a power pod recharging his energy, but can also absorb energy manually. 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, he has occasionally risen up against Darkseid.^[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, 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, which allows him to destroy anything he touches.^[10]