Black Manta, also known as Emperor Manta, is the tyrannical ruler of Lemuria.
History
Manta usurped the throne of Lemuria from the rightful ruler Atlanna in a bloody civil war after she gave birth to an heir by a man of the surface. He then warred against and killed all the other rulers of the undersea kingdoms to become emperor of the sea.[1] Manta imprisoned Atlanna and her son Arthur, but they escaped from prison and fled to the surface. Manta dispatched an army lead by his general Orvax to recapture her.[2] The forces clashed on the beach and Atlanna was killed, with Arthur also being presumed dead.[3]
However, years later agents of the surface informed Manta of rumours of a boy who could speak to sea life. Manta realised that Arthur had survived and dispatched the pirate King Shark to capture Arthur and bring him back to Lemuria for a public execution.[4] King Shark failed and Arthur and his adopted parents went into hiding. When Arthur grew up he returned to the sea to face Black Manta.[1]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Amphibian
- Thermal-Blast: Manta can fire beams of heat from his eyes.[1]
Notes
- Black Manta was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy, first appearing in Aquaman #35. However, the Dark Knights of Steel version of Black Manta first appeared in Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #1 by Tom Taylor and Riccardo Federici.
- It is unclear if Emperor Manta is an Atlantean/Lemurian who possesses the ability to breathe underwater naturally, or a human like his mainstream counterpart who is able to survive underwater due to magic or technology.
Related
- 3 Appearances of Black Manta (Dark Knights of Steel)
- 1 Images featuring Black Manta (Dark Knights of Steel)
- Quotations by or about Black Manta (Dark Knights of Steel)
- Character Gallery: Black Manta (Dark Knights of Steel)
Footnotes
  This character, team or organization, has been primarily an enemy of Aquaman, or members of the Aquaman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Aquaman Villains." |