David Hyde was a ruthless criminal known as Black Manta, before he became one of the Anti-Living.
History
David Hyde was a ruthless criminal known as "Black Manta" reputed among fellow criminals for being sadistic and always looking out for his own interests. He designed a black wetsuit for himself to scour the world's oceans and also crafted a helmet that could blast people with thermal beams. He survived the Anti-Life virus outbreak, surviving by wandering on his own in the seas until his Manta-Sub was struck near Nantucket by Fin and Scale. Manta successfully escaped, though he was knocked unconscious, and was soon rescued by Superboy.[1]
He blasted Wonder Girl in panic, when she tried to wake him up, and Talia al Ghul tried to behead him in return, but was stopped by Superboy. As she berated him for protecting Manta whom she had dealt with in past, Damian Wayne stood up for him. Manta decided to leave, but Superboy tried to persuade him to stay, stating he didn't have to face the Anti-Living on his own and they could use his help. Soon, an Anti-Living horde led by Black Adam attacked Nantucket by using a portal built by Nightshade.[1]
Manta first attacked the Anti-Living horde,[1] and then dealt with the infected Atom Smasher as per the direction of Damian. His optic blasts however failed to have any effect, as Atom Smasher proceeded to try to crush Talia, Damian and Stephanie Brown, before being stopped by Superboy and Wonder Girl.[2] David was later infected while fighting the horde. When Superman ordered everyone to get on boats, Stephanie noticed Hyde simply standing around. She soon discovered his infection but it was too late, as she was killed by a blast from his helmet.[3]
Manta later assaulted the Gotham Garden of Poison Ivy along with Black Adam's horde. After Nightshade opened up a portal for the Anti-Living to get inside the defended garden, he and the rest of the horde were soon lured into the Land of the Nightshades by the Pied Piper. The Aerie, who had come after Wink, soon found Nightshade, but Manta fired an optic blast to destroy Wink's gun before she could kill her. The blast also injured Aerie's right wing. Piper however quickly killed Nightshade, trapping the horde forever in the Land of the Nightshades.[4]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
Abilities
- Genius Level Intellect: Manta designed his own suit as well as an advanced submarine.
- Seamanship: He is capable of operating watercrafts like submarines, including his own advanced Manta-Sub.[1]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Diving suit: Manta made his own suit that allows him to survive underwater.
- Optic blasts: Manta's helmet allows him to fire heat blasts that can singe even super-strong beings like Wonder Girl.[1]
Transportation
Notes
- Black Manta was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy, first appearing in Aquaman #35. However, the DCeased version of Black Manta first appeared in DCeased: Hope at World's End #1 by Tom Taylor and Dustin Nguyen.
Related
- 6 Appearances of David Hyde (DCeased)
- 1 Images featuring David Hyde (DCeased)
- Quotations by or about David Hyde (DCeased)
- Character Gallery: David Hyde (DCeased)
Footnotes