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Mantis
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Creation & Design

Mantis was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema, inspired by the martial arts craze of the early 1970s.

Early Years

Mantis first appeared as a member of the Avengers, showcasing her martial arts skills and empathic abilities. She was initially introduced as a mysterious character with a complex background.

Character Development

Over the years, Mantis has evolved from a supporting character to a key player in various storylines, showcasing her growth in power and importance within the Marvel Universe.

Cultural Reception

Mantis has been well-received by fans for her unique abilities and complex character, often praised for her martial arts skills and empathic nature.

Character Details

Real Name:
Mantis
First Appearance:
Avengers, The #112
Aliases:
The Celestial Madonna, Avenger
Species:
Human
Gender:
Female
Affiliations:
Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy
Abilities:
Martial arts mastery, Empathic abilities, Telepathy
Equipment:
Energy staff
Weight:
100lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
black

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Avengers, The #112
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #112
 
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$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mantis

1st appearance of Pantha

Avengers, The #113
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #113
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Mantis

Avengers, The #114
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Avengers, The #114
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st cover appearance of Mantis

Mantis joins The Avengers

Swordsman rejoins The Avengers

Avengers, The #123
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Avengers, The #123
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Star-Stalker

1st team appearance of the Priests of Parma

Origin of Mantis

Origin of Libra

Avengers, The #124
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Avengers, The #124
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Star-Stalker

Origin of Mantis

Giant-Size Avengers #2
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Giant-Size Avengers #2
 
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$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

Mantis revealed to be the Celestial Madonna

Death of Swordsman

Origin of Rama-Tut

Hawkeye joins The Avengers

Avengers, The #133
Marvel ⋅ 1975
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Avengers, The #133
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Origin of the Kree/Skrull war

Origin of Mantis

Origin of Vision

1st full appearance of the Cotati, a plantlike humanoid race

Giant-Size Avengers #4
Marvel ⋅ 1975
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Giant-Size Avengers #4
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80

Key Facts

Marriage of Vision and Scarlet Witch

Origin of Mantis, the Celestial Madonna

Justice League of America #142
DC ⋅ 1977
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Justice League of America #142
 
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$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st appearance of Willow, the DC version of the Avenger known as Mantis

Creator of Mantis, Steve Englehart continued to use the character across multiple publishers - under the name Willow in DC comics and Lorelei at Eclipse Comics

Scorpio Rose #2
Eclipse ⋅ 1983
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Scorpio Rose #2
 
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$1
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$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st appearance of Lorelai

Originally created as Mantis for The Avengers by Steve Englehart who carried the character to two other publishers before returning to Marvel

Also appeared in Justice League of America #142 as Willow

Avengers: Celestial Quest #3
Marvel ⋅ 2002
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Avengers: Celestial Quest #3
 
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$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Quoi, the son of Mantis as an adult

Many databases cite Fantastic Four #325 but it is scarcely even a cameo of the character

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