Black Manta (New 52)

*"Blood may be thicker than water, but they both run the same."*

## **Summary**

**Black Manta** is a significant character in the New 52 continuity of DC Comics, primarily known as the nemesis of Aquaman. With an intricate backstory involving personal tragedy and revenge, Black Manta's character portrays a complex mix of villainy and misunderstood outcast. Obsessed with the sea and armed with a high-tech suit that provides various aquatic capabilities, Black Manta seeks vengeance against Aquaman for the death of his father. In terms of abilities, Black Manta does not have any inherent superhuman powers. His threat lies in his high intelligence and technological prowess. His suit grants him enhanced strength, speed, durability, and endurance, and is equipped with a variety of weapons, including energy-blasting eye-beams and wrist-mounted blades. It also allows him to survive underwater and resist deep-sea pressures, matching Aquaman in his home environment. Black Manta has a tumultuous relationship with many characters in the DC universe, but none more so than Aquaman, whom he sees as his sworn enemy after a series of tragic encounters. His alliances often shift based on his goals, and while he often works alone, he has also been a member of several organizations like the Legion of Doom and the Secret Society of Super Villains. In the New 52 continuity, Black Manta's story starts with a tragic incident involving Aquaman, resulting in his father's death, which fuels his vendetta against the sea king. He becomes a relentless hunter, engaging in numerous battles with Aquaman and even temporarily obtaining the powerful artifact known as the Dead King's Scepter. His unyielding pursuit of revenge makes him one of the most formidable adversaries for Aquaman and a notable character in the New 52 era.

## **Base**

### **Output:**

#### Physical Strength

* Brawls Prisoner-of-War, at first choking him out.
* Brawls Aquaman in a city, crushing cars, sending him flying through buildings.
* Mera and Black Manta brawl in Dr. Shin's house, crushing walls and whatever else is in the way.
* Collapses the Dead King's tomb with a hit to the ground.
* Kills Vostok with a hit from the Dead King Scepter.

#### Eye Beams

* Incinerates the ground around Kahina the Seer with a blast.
* Damages Aquaman with a blast and sends him flying out of the water.
* Blasts a tiger.

Seemingly kills Shadow Thief by blasting her in half.

#### Blades

* Stabs Arthur with an electric blade.

Slits E3 Alfred's throat.

#### Harpoon Launcher

* Blows up a small part of a forest with an explosive harpoon.
* Impales Prisoner-of-War through the shoulder.
* Pins Prisoner-of-War to the ground with a shot.

#### Misc. Gear

* Stuns Mera with an electric blast from his gloves.

### **Defense:**

#### Blunt

* Tanks being thrown through a wall by Prisoner-of-War.
* Takes getting his arm broken then punched away by Aquaman.

#### Piercing

* Kahina the Seer's blades just bounce off his suit.
* Tanks being shot in the chest by Prisoner-of-War using a pistol amped by his spirits.
* Tigers trying to pounce him are unable to do anything

#### Heat

Undisturbed swimming through the boiling water that Bizarro just heated up.

### **Speed:**

#### Combat

* Beats Kahina the Seer in CQC.
* Brawls Prisoner-of-War after ambushing him in his apartment.
* Brawls Aquaman fairly evenly, then firing a harpoon at Ya'Wara and takes her Globe from her mid-fight, escaping through a portal.
* Mera and Black Manta brawl in Dr. Shin's on even grounds.
* Was about to hit Arthur with a surprise attack before Vostok jumps in the way.

Gets the drop on and kills E3 Alfred.

### **Misc:**

#### Gear

* Has an artifact that translates what it touches.

#### Suit

His suit is sealed to the microscopic level, Atomica unable to penetrate it.