Black Manta

Real Name: Unrevealed

Base of Operations: Atlantis, The Oceans of The World

Group Affiliation: The Legion of Doom, The Injustice League

Powers: Black Manta has no known super powers. He instead relies on a variety of equipment and ruthless actions to overcome his foes. Black Manta is usually seen wearing a suit, which enables him to breath under water. He also wears a helmet which can shoot destructive lasers from it’s eyes. He has also been known to carry guns, knives, and tridents. While Black Manta does not possess any super powers, he is a threat that should be taken seriously as he is quite capable of anything. At one point, he killed Aquaman’s baby boy.

Origin/History: Black Manta was orphaned as a child. The orphanage staff would wonder why he would scream in agony each night as they would put him to bed not realizing that he was allergic to cotton sheets. The only thing that seemed to calm this allergic reaction was cold water. The boy soon became obsessed with water even though he could not hold his breathe for every long. One day after he had gotten older, he was watching TV and saw footage of Aquaman. Instantly becoming jealous of the King of Sea due to his ability to remain under water indefinitely, the young man snapped and set out on a life of crime. Modeling himself after the deadly mantas of the oceans, the young man took on the name Black Manta and chose to become the world’s greatest pirate and destroy Aquaman in the process.

Moment of Glory: In the Super Friends episode “The Final Challenge” Black Manta, Bizarro, the Cheetah, the Riddler, and the Scarecrow along with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Apache Chief are abducted into an alternate universe by and powerful being known as Vartow. Vartow tells his captives that he has been watching their battles for a while and he is sick of them. He says it is time to decide a final winner. He subjects the captured Super Friends and Legion of Doom members to several contests. During one of the contests, Aquaman and Black Manta are made to swim through the River of Doom. The first one to make it across the river will be declared the winner. During the swim, Black Manta is captured by a giant clam and pulled half-way inside of it’s mouth. He screams for Aquaman’s help. Aquaman quickly rushes to Manta’s aid and pulls him out of the clam’s mouth but is suddenly captured by the clam and is forced to take Manta’s place in it’s mouth. Manta swims away and wins the contest.

Moment of Shame: In the Super Friends episode “The Water Beast”, Black Manta(known simply as Manta at this time), used a machine to create a giant water beast to steal the ocean’s treasures and defeat the Super Friends. After several battles, the Super Friends realize they are near helpless to stop the beast. Luckily, they come up with a plan to separate the water beast into various containers and dilute him. The Super Friends hide their operation with a smoke-screen. Once the creature is diluted, Zan uses his Exor powers to transform into an exact copy of the water beast making Manta think the Super Friend’s final gambit has failed and he is victorious. Manta reveals himself and rises from the depths and proclaims victory over the Super Friends but then Zan transforms into a wave a of water and informs Manta that he fell into his trap.

Quote: “Thanks for saving me Aquaman. Sorry I can’t do the same for you. Hahahahaha!”

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