Mantis is one of the "bug" people of New Genesis and has been given some of his superhuman powers by Darkseid. Mantis left New Genesis first for Apokolips and then for Earth, where he planned to conquer as much of the planet as he possible could. He did this with the blessing of Darkseid, who hoped that the chaos Mantis created woukd help him in locating the human mind holding the all powerful Anti-life Equation.

The Forever people summoned the Infinity man who defeated Mantis and ended his first assault on Earth. Mantis then organised the inhabitants of the "bug" colonies of New Genesis into an army that invaded Earth. Lightray, Orion and Forager battled Mantis and his army and forced them to retreat. Mantis went on to aid Darkseid in his continual attempts to conquer the Earth.

Like most of Darkseid's minions, there were occasions when Mantis has risen up against his master, and was punished in the most severe way.

Mantis was also killed by the Infinity Man, who was working with the Source as an agent, with Kalibak in a fight against Superman and Orion during the "Death of the New Gods" series.