Cast member Chris Pratt poses at the premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy" in Hollywood, California July 21, 2014.
Cast member Chris Pratt poses at the premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy" in Hollywood, California July 21, 2014. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The much-awaited “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” trailer was released this week and the fans finally got to see more of their favourite characters -- Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) amongst others, including Mantis, a woman with an antenna who touches and senses the emotions of others.

Who is Mantis?

Played by Pom Klementieff in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Mantis is a character that was created by writer Steve Englehart. Mantis debuted in 1973 as a sidekick to an Avenger called Swordsman. She essayed the role of an untrustworthy figure but later Englehart made her role grander, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Mantis, the Celestial Madonna

Mantis was the central focus of story arc “The Celestial Madonna.” She met Swordsman while she used to work as a prostitute in Vietnam. Mantis was revealed as Celestial Madonna, a cosmic being who was once described as the most important being in the universe. She wanted to marry an alien tree who took the form of Swordsman. After his death, she left the planet in order to mate with the alien tree and give birth to a child.

Mantis’ appearance in other publications

As Englehart moved to another company, DC, he also took the character of Mantis along with him. Henceforth, a Mantis-akin character named Willow was introduced in "Justice League of America" #142. In the story, Willow even explained that she was pregnant and she returned to Earth to give birth to her child. Mantis returned to Marvel as Lorelei in 1983's "Scorpio Rose No. 2," in which she had a son along with her.

Mantis’ role in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’

Mantis joined 2007 miniseries “Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord,” the story that would lead to the contemporary incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Mantis served as a counselor of sorts to the team (as evident in the “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” trailer revealed recently). Star Lord would use her powers to manipulate people into joining his team.

Mantis’ superpowers

Apart from sensing emotions with touch, Mantis’ superpowers include telepathy, astral projection, chlorokinesis, precognition, pyrokinesis and self-healing power.

More secrets will be revealed about her character when “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” will hit the theatres in Australia on April 25.

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