Mantis led a group of Bugs in an exchange with what he believed to be Orion. "Orion" betrayed the Bugs, using illusory "payment". Mantis was infuriated and tried to fight, but he and the Bugs were easily defeated by "Orion" and his meta-human companions.
Mantis was later furious to find New Gods and Earthers near his hive, but Forager explained that he had summoned them to help. Mantis was distrustful, but went along with their plan to ambush what they insisted was an imposter Orion. Miss Martian found that "Orion" was using telepathy to inflame the Bugs' anger. She realized that "Orion" was in fact her brother and discovered he was sent by Apokolips to start a Bug uprising in exchange for help for his own revolutionary plans back on Mars. Mantis was not interested in any explanations and saw all non-Bugs as his enemy, leading an attack on everyone. Forager acted against him, and when the battle was over, with Ma'alefa'ak defeated, Mantis banished him as a race traitor.[2]
Sometime later, Mantis left the hive and went to work for Granny Goodness.[1]
Mantis went with the Furies to respond to an incursion by the Team. They were defeated after Nightwing used the Javelin's weapons drones against them.[1]
When Ma'alefa'ak met with Darkseid, Grayven called forth Mantis with the Kaizer-Thrall and asked Lor-Zod to show himself. The latter de-camouflaged his Time-Sphere. Grayven ordered Ma'alefa'ak and Mantis to follow Lor-Zod's orders as if they were Darkseid's, and the trio went off in the Time-Sphere.[5]
Lor-Zod's Time-Sphere arrived at Supertown. He was ready to begin his operation, but Ma'alefa'ak insisted he tell him all about the mission, the why as well as the what. Mantis listened as Lor explained his family history, the reason he traveled to the past, how he assassinated Superboy and his plans to free his parents.[4]
Ma'alefa'ak posed as Orion to gain intel on how to access the Inter-Dimensional Vault, and spoke to Celestia and Rocket. After getting the information he wanted, he reported back to Lor and the group went back in time two days.[6]
Ma'alefa'ak placed a tracer on a Ruction Cell that would be sent to the Vault.[6]
Supertown August 26, 23:00UTC
Mantis and the others watched from the Time-Sphere as Metron took the Cell away to the Vault. Lor activated the Kaizer-Thrall, which was linked to the tracer, and it teleported them to the Vault.[6]
After the unpleasant journey, Lor's squad quickly began searching the massive Vault for the Phantom Zone Projector. They came under attack by the Sun-Eater, forcing them to take cover in the Time-Sphere before restarting their search.[6]
They continued their search despite having had to flee the Sun-Eater multiple times. They saw Metron appear to retrieve the Red power ring for Razer. When Metron was returned to the Vault moments later, out of control after being attacked by Razer, Lor quickly punched Metron out of his Mobius Chair and used the Kaizer-Thrall to place both Metron and the chair in a torturous inter-dimensional state. Lor threatened to hold Metron that way until he told them where to find the Phantom Zone Projector.[6]
Metron's torture continued for over a day. When Ma'alefa'ak let slip Lor was Kryptonian in front of Metron, Metron claimed to yield, but instead of taking them to the Projector, he produced a piece of Kryptonite and then summoned the Sun-Eater and escaped. Mantis was able to pull himself and the others into the Time-Sphere and took it back in time one day.[6]
Mobius Dimension August 27, 17:06UTC One day earlier
Having traveled back in time, Mantis surmised the Kryptonian objects were kept together and searched near where Metron had kept the Kryptonite, and quickly found the Projector.[6]
Lor awoke from his Kryptonite poisoning. He was initially angry they had left but was mollified when he found out Mantis had gotten the Projector and admitted he had underestimated the Bug. The Time-Sphere had been damaged in their exit. Lor focused on using the Projector, which was out of power. Mantis had an idea where to charge it.[7]
After hours waiting at the lakeside while the Projector charged, it finally reached minimum power levels and began to optimize power absorption. Lor spotted a group led by Orion, and ordered his companions to defend the Projector. Mantis intercepted Forager and the Mountain Forager, and then fought Forager. He reminded the Bug of his prior threats if he ever returned to New Genesis, but Forager eagerly demonstrated his new fighting skills and knocked Mantis out.
Mantis was taken into custody by the Mountain Forager, now a Green Lantern. He would face trial on New Genesis.[7]
Powers and abilities[]
Bug physiology: Mantis can curl himself into a ball, folding in his extremities to become encased entirely in his thick dorsal exoskeleton. He can control the forward motion of this ball, hurtling himself at opponents at high speed.[2]
Equipment[]
Armor: Mantis sometimes wears armor, including a helmet, based on that worn by the New Gods.[2]
Energy staff: Mantis wields a thin metallic staff with light blue illuminated patterns. It is capable of firing potent blasts of energy.[2]
Hover platform: After joining Granny Goodness's forces, Mantis was given an anti-gravity platform that allowed him to fly over the ground. It was far larger and cruder looking than the ones used by the Furies, with a large handlebar.[1]
