HERO OF THE WEEK: BLACK MANTA (DC)Real Name: David Hyde
First Appearance: Aquaman #35 (September, 1967)
Fight Club Ranking: #865
Featured Fights:
- vs AQUAMAN: Adventure Comics #446 (Jul-Aug 1976)
It was tempting to talk about Sony's Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse this week, which is dazzling audiences with its multiverse of colour and animation, but for all the good it brings, I'm not immediately excited about the fresh fractures it widens with multiple cinematic Spider-Men.
For better or worse, I'm more enticed by the first-run cinematic world-building of Aquaman, which is the other major superhero release hitting theatres in December. We certainly couldn't let 2018 pass without acknowledging the glory of Black Manta! Just look at the bad ass poster shared via @AquamanShrine last month [below]!
A villain once out of favor for his over-the-top design, Black Manta now struts into cinematic live-action with a serviceable recreation complete with that oh-so bonkers, oh-so wonderful bug-eyed helmet! He seems destined to be a favourite for anyone giving the movie a chance and I can see why! Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does the honors - bringing life to Black Manta as a technologically savvy nemesis out to collect on a vendetta against Aquaman! Just look at him!!
The film has already been racking up record-breaking box office overseas, confirming record takings in China for a US release. After the blowback felt by other DCEU movies, I've got to think early release in those markets was a deliberate, deft move to temper early negativity. It's a bit of a cynical move, but unlike other films from this slate, it seems to be in service of giving a fun movie a fair go.
To would-be moviegoers sneering at yet another CG-encrusted superhero blockbuster, I would suggest the mistake was seeing many of the other ones. Monotony has been an issue in superhero movies in general, but offerings like Batman v Superman and Justice League were obvious enough to betray their failings pre-release. Aquaman hasn't been easy to read ahead of time, but certainly pitches enough to make it the one worth rolling the dice on.
I'm looking forward to seeing a visually vibrant superhero film. It's too infrequent. A less-than-harrowing adventure into strange worlds sounds like a great change of pace. Actors like Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren stir intrigue and enthusiasm. Villains like Black Manta and Ocean Master stoke curiosity, with all kinds of crazy extras stuffed into trailers to suggest something fun!
Aquaman officially makes domestic United States shores later this week, flooding theatres December 21st. Make sure you don't leave before the post-credits scene! If you haven't had enough hydration you can find more Aquaman by deep diving links in Hero of the Week, the Secret Archive and more!
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