Aquaman and Black Manta have been enemies since their early days in Atlantis, with Black Manta developing a thirst for revenge against Aquaman and his Atlantean people. Their battles have been brutal and intense, including conflicts at Amnesty Bay, the battle for the throne of Atlantis and a fight at the Trench. The rivalry between them is far from over, with the upcoming Aquaman sequel likely to feature a new chapter in their story.
Aquaman vs. Black Manta: Clash of the Atlanteans
Aquaman and Black Manta have been bitter enemies for years. Their rivalry dates back to their early days in Atlantis when Black Manta was just a petty thief and Aquaman was still learning to harness his powers as the King of Atlantis. Over the years, their animosity has only grown stronger, fuelled by Black Manta’s thirst for revenge against Aquaman and his Atlantean people. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of their feud and the many battles they’ve fought against each other.
The Origins of their Conflict
Black Manta, also known as David Kane, was a navy sailor before he discovered Atlantis. He became obsessed with its treasures and secrets and soon, he became a thief. His first encounter with Aquaman happened when he tried to steal a powerful Atlantean artifact from an underwater temple. Aquaman, who was still a young and inexperienced ruler at the time, foiled his plans and sent him to prison.
Years later, Black Manta escaped and sought revenge against Aquaman. He developed a suit that allowed him to breathe underwater and equipped himself with deadly weapons to take down his nemesis. Black Manta targeted Aquaman’s wife, Mera, and threatened to harm her unless Aquaman surrendered himself. In this confrontation, Aquaman accidentally killed Black Manta’s father whom he mistook for his real target. This only fueled Black Manta’s hatred and made him vow to destroy Aquaman at all costs.
The Many Battles Between Them
Since their first encounter, Aquaman and Black Manta have clashed several times. Their fights have been brutal and intense, each trying to gain the upper hand over the other. Some of their notable battles include:
Battle at Amnesty Bay
After Black Manta attacked the surface world, Aquaman confronted him at Amnesty Bay, his hometown. In this battle, Black Manta used his Atlantean weapons to create a massive tidal wave to drown the town. Aquaman managed to save the civilians while fighting Black Manta, and in the end, he trapped him in a dome-shaped energy field and handed him over to the authorities.
Battle for the Throne
Black Manta’s alliance with Ocean Master, Aquaman’s half-brother, led to a coup to take over the throne of Atlantis. In this conflict, Black Manta led an army of undersea creatures against Aquaman’s loyalists, forcing a political and military crisis. Aquaman had to fight both his brother and his nemesis to regain control of his kingdom.
Battle at the Trench
During an expedition, Aquaman discovered an ancient and deadly race of undersea creatures known as the Trench. Black Manta saw an opportunity to exploit this discovery and sent his minions to capture the creatures and use them as weapons against Aquaman. In this battle, Aquaman and Black Manta faced each other one-on-one in a gruesome fight, which left Black Manta with severe injuries.
The Future of their Conflict
Aquaman and Black Manta’s feud is far from over. With each battle, their rivalry has only grown stronger, and the stakes are higher than ever. In the upcoming sequel of the Aquaman movie, fans can expect to see a new chapter in their story. The movie’s post-credits scene hints at Black Manta’s return and his alliance with a new villain, possibly setting the stage for an epic showdown between Aquaman and his arch-nemesis.
Conclusion
Aquaman and Black Manta’s conflict is one of the most compelling and significant rivalries in the DC Universe. Their battles have been legendary, and their story is far from over. As fans wait for the next chapter in their story, they can only imagine what the future holds for these two Atlanteans.