Manta is a long-standing member of the Imperial Guard, currently serving under Gladiator, the ruler of the Shi'ar empire. She perceives her environment through infrared vision, and can generate blasts of intense light, heat, and concussive force from her wings, which also allow her to fly. Manta was created by Chis Claremont and John Byrne and first appeared in The (Uncanny) X-Men #137 (1980).