Manta Troopers are the henchpeople employed by Black Manta.[1] Following Manta's incarceration, the troopers became more mercenary[4] and have been known to work for the League of Shadows.[3]
Most Manta Troopers are African-American, though some are African, or nationals of other countries and of African descent.[5]
Guards were abundant in the island base, but they were no match for the combined Justice League and Team strike force. Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin took down multiple Manta Troopers with ease. Upon learning that a bomb has been planted in the complex, Manta ordered a tactical retreat. The Manta Troopers escaped in the Manta-Flyer before the bomb exploded.[2]
The Manta Troopers played an important role in the assault of Ferris Aircraft's Earth-Mars communication satellite. One squad manned the underwater cannon, and one stormed the beach. The squads were beaten back, however, but the rocket was destroyed by a bomb Black Manta had placed on board earlier.[7]
Tigress lead a group of Manta Troopers who placed a group of abductees in containment pods and loaded them aboard the Manta-Flyer. After they docked with the Reach ship and handed the captives over, they waited in the docking bay, when one of the troopers attacked, knocking out Tigress and the others. Superboy, who had infiltrated the group in Star City, removed his helmet and reported to Nightwing.[9]
The garrison of the Manta-Sub saw a lot of action when Sportsmaster and Cheshire attacked the sub. Several were wounded, but not just by the two infiltrators. Desperate to save his son, Black Manta himself had little regard for the wellbeing of his troopers.[10]
2016-2020[]
Following Manta's incarceration and uptake into Task Force X, the troopers became more mercenary[4] and sometimes worked for the League of Shadows.[3]
2020[]
On March 26, Lady Shiva sent a group of Manta Troopers on a mission to draw out the Team, in order to find out who was leading them.[11][3]
