Summary
I know the perfect Marvel Comics storyline that could be adapted for theMCUto address major Mantis mysteries that were left unanswered afterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. James Gunn’s final MCU movie did a good job of wrapping up loose ends, but I’m still curious about the fates of the members of the oldGuardians of the Galaxy team, which have been left open-ended. This includes Pom Klementieff’s Mantis, who left the team - along with Peter Quill, Gamora, Nebula, and Drax - to embark on a solo journey of self-discovery.
Since her debut inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,Mantis has been developed significantly, most notably with her being revealed to be the biological daughter of Ego, and therefore Peter Quill’s half-sister. Now on a mission to learn who she is without the supervision of her Celestial father or the Guardians of the Galaxy themselves, I’d love Mantis to explore some of Marvel Comics' weirdestcosmic storylines in the MCU’s future. After recent comments by Klementieff, it seems Mantis' return may be more likely than ever.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
2017
2018
2019
Thor: Love and Thunder
2022
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2023
Pom Klementieff Could Return In A Special Presentation After GOTG Vol. 3
Marvel Studios Has Only Released Two Special Presentations So Far
Pom Klementieff recently spoke toAgents of Fandomat this year’s Superhero Comic Con, and suggested that she is"always open"to return to the MCU.Some of herGuardians of the Galaxycastmates have suggested thatVol. 3was the end of the line for their heroes, but Mantis' story may only just be beginning. While there haven’t been any furtherGuardians of the Galaxymovies confirmed, andChris Pratt’s Legendary Star-Lordis the only Guardians member known to be returning, I think Mantis' story could continue in her own Special Presentation.
So far,Marvel Studios has only released two Special Presentations:Werewolf by NightandThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Both these projects have been hugely successful, so I’m a bit confused about why Marvel seems to have abandoned this promising concept so quickly.The Special Presentations could be revived with Mantis in mind, however, as her solo journey afterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3could be compacted into an hour-long adventure, and I think one significant Mantis storyline from Marvel Comics would be perfect for this project.
Marvel Comics’ Celestial Madonna Storyline Fits Mantis’ MCU Backstory Perfectly
The Celestial Madonna Is Destined To Give Birth To An Incredibly Powerful Child In Marvel Comics
Back in the 1970s, Marvel Comics revealed thatMantis was actually the Celestial Madonna, a being destined to give birth to an incredibly powerful child, the Celestial Messiah. Even though there hasn’t yet been any mention of the Celestial Madonna as an identity for Mantis in the MCU, this would be a fantastic storyline to explore in a potential Special Presentation featuring the former Guardian of the Galaxy. If anything,this makes sense as Mantis is the daughter of a Celestial, so she may have some dormant abilities, similarly to Peter Quill.
Marvel Comics’Celestial Madonnastoryline also developed Mantis relationships to other heroes, as she was then operating with the Avengers on Earth.Pom Klementieff’s Mantis has previously met Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, so it makes sense that she could, at some point, make her way back to Earth, perhaps to reunite with Peter Quill. This could introduce a more comic-accurate Swordsman, debut the cosmic Cotati in the MCU, establish Mantis as a significant hero without the Guardians of the Galaxy, and bring back a currently-disappointing supervillain.
Tony Dalton played a variation of the Swordsman, named Jack Duquesne, in the MCU’sHawkeyeseries, but this version was a far cry from the Marvel Comics Avenger, who falls in love with Mantis and lays down his life for her.
Mantis As The Celestial Madonna Can Make A Multiversal Villain Scary Again
Mantis Becomes A Target For Kang The Conqueror As The Celestial Madonna
Kang’s former failures could be ignored, and he could become an even more terrifying villain ahead of Avengers 5 and Secret Wars.
Despite being set up as the primary antagonists of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga,Kang the Conqueror and his villainous variantshaven’t posed much of a threat so far. In fact,Kang’s variants have been killed off in every project they have appeared in, as Sylvie dispatched He Who Remains inLokiseason 1, Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne defeated the Conqueror himself inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Victor Timely met his demise several times inLokiseason 2. Exploring theCelestial Madonnastoryline is the best way for Marvel to change this pattern.
Kang abducts Mantis during Marvel Comics’Celestial Madonnastoryline, hoping to use her to create a powerful heir for his timeline-spanning empire. If this storyline is explored in a potential Mantis-focused project followingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Kang’s former failures could be ignored, and he could become an even more terrifying villain ahead ofAvengers 5andSecret Wars. Additionally,this would make Mantis one of the most important heroes in the Multiverse Saga, giving the underused Pom Klementieff a chance to really showcase her talents.
