The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

is a vast tapestry of stories with dozens of characters across space and the multiverse, but I’m still shocked that I didn’t think more about this one character’s origin story until now. Since 2008, when the very first Iron Man movie was released, I have been addicted to the MCU. I already had a deep and abiding love for superheroes and the idea of a comic book-connected universe playing out across dozens of movies was a distant dream. However, when Tony Stark was captured by the Ten Rings, and placed in a dark and dingy cave, all of those dreams began to come true.

Since then, each new release has brought with it new characters, and new stories to engage with. Often, these movies pick one specific hero, and they open up their story to make them into a pivotal part of the wider universe. However, there have been a number of heroes who were introduced under the radar as part of a team, or beginning their journey as a supporting character. And often, these characters have some of the darkest and most intense origin stories of them all.

The MCU Has A Lot Of Twisted Origin Stories That Get Seriously Overlooked

Origin Stories Are Rare In The MCU, But When They Are Present, They’re Dark

The Winter Soldier is a huge part of the MCU today, and he has recently featured in several parts of the Multiverse Saga as a reluctant hero. However, his origin story was a background detail that was highlighted in Captain America’s second outing. Despite this, the origin of the Winter Soldier did get some decent screentime, and it’s been developed over time, but it was slow. The same can be said for Gamora and Nebula, two girls who were abducted from their home planets and then raised by a mad tyrant.

But the cycle goes even deeper. There are characters like Rocket Raccoon whose history wasn’t unpacked until the third movie, Moon Knight, whose origin stems from traumatic childhood events that really only appear in one episode of the limited series, and people like Bruce Banner who revealed details about his darkest days as the Hulk in one Avengers movie before it was never addressed again. There is a pattern in the MCU to only occasionally put the focus on the origin story, which means a lot of dark backstories are never fully explored.

Mantis’ MCU Origin Story Is One Of The Most Overlooked Dark Hero Origin Stories Of All Time

Mantis Had A Harrowing Life On Ego’s Planet

However, one character had their origin story buried even deeper in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga. Mantis first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on the planet that Ego, Peter Quill’s father, took the Guardians to visit. While she initially appeared to be an ᴀssistant to Ego, who was cruelly forced to stay a prisoner on the planet, and do Ego’s bidding, using her powerful powers of emotional manipulation to help provide him with rest, it was eventually revealed that Mantis was one of Ego’s other children, like Quill, whose mother was murdered by Ego before Mantis was abducted.

This means that Mantis was being held captive by her father, and forced to watch him experiment over and over again, traveling to distant worlds, impregnating unsuspecting aliens, and creating life in the hopes of finding a perfect heir. Meanwhile, his daughter was treated as nothing, and used to help subdue other children, participating in the repeated siblicide. And due to her ability to feel the emotions of others, she likely felt their pain, suffering, and sadness each time that she was involved in these heinous efforts.

Why Mantis’ MCU Superhero Origin Story Is Overlooked

Mantis Was Often In The Background

The issue is, Mantis’ story has been buried deeper in the MCU than most other origin stories. Sure, she appears in GotG Vol. 2, and it’s plain to see that she hasn’t been treated kindly by Ego, but it wasn’t until the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special that she revealed she is a daughter of Ego, and thus a sister to Peter Quill. In previous entries, any notable moment for Mantis is also overshadowed by other big reveals, such as Ego mentioning killing Quill’s mother.

As a result, Mantis is an overlooked character who may be becoming a central part of the Guardians team, but for a long time, her history has not gotten the attention and recognition it deserves. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Mantis is likely to get a solo story anytime soon, which means all of her origin has to be guessed at and estimated according to the minor details in other parts of the MCU. Either way, from what has already been revealed, Mantis has one of the most tragic backstories in the MCU.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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