The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) brought a heartwarming twist to the relationship between Mantis and Peter Quill in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. In the MCU, they are portrayed as paternal half-siblings, sharing the same father, Ego Quill.
However, this dynamic differs from the original comic book storyline, where Mantis and Peter Quill are not depicted as siblings with any biological connection.
Mantis and Peter Quill in the Comics
In the comic books, Mantis and Peter Quill were introduced as separate characters. Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, made his debut in Marvel Preview #4 in 1976, while Mantis first appeared in The Avengers #112 in 1973. Their stories in the comics did not imply any sibling relationship between the two characters.
The MCU’s Take on Mantis and Peter Quill
In the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, the MCU revealed Mantis and Peter Quill as half-siblings with the same father, Ego Quill. The original plan was to include a scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, where Mantis confirms her relationship with Star-Lord to Drax, but this revelation was later saved for the Holiday Special.
The movie portrays Mantis as a counselor to Ego, and her first meeting with Peter occurs under these circumstances. Although their sibling relationship is not immediately confirmed, there are hints dropped throughout the movie.
Meet Louis Russell: The Model from Too Hot to Handle
Divergence from the Comics
In contrast to the movie’s narrative, the original comic books did not suggest any family ties between Mantis and Peter Quill. In the comics, Mantis joins the Guardians team to help them defeat a techno-organic transmode virus called Phalanx. Furthermore, Star-Lord and Mantis have a different dynamic, with a “frenemy” relationship as Peter once used her to manipulate the team.
Theodore Saidden Death: Superwog Cast Dead or Alive?
Mantis and Peter Quill’s Parentage
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in the MCU established that Mantis and Peter Quill share the same father, Ego Quill. However, they have different mothers. Peter Quill’s parents are Ego and Meredith Quill, with Meredith being a normal human who tragically passed away from a brain tumor when Peter was eight years old. It was revealed that Ego had implanted the tumor as he feared losing focus on his mission.
On the other hand, Mantis’s mother, though not showcased in the movies, comes from an empathetic race of insectoids that reaches a humanoid state. Ego discovered Mantis in a larval state and raised her on his planet.
Ego, the Celestial Being
In the MCU, Peter Quill’s father, Ego, is depicted as a celestial being who is also known as the Living Planet. He desires to conquer the universe through an event known as Expansion, creating new extensions of his consciousness. To make his Expansion plan successful, Ego fathers children with different species, hoping one of them will inherit his celestial power. However, he ends the lives of hundreds of his offspring when they fail to inherit any powers.
Amy Roloff Stroke Death News and Obituary: Separating Fact from Fiction
Despite Mantis not inheriting Celestial powers, Ego does not harm her and instead allows her to serve him. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Ego’s darker side is highlighted when he attempts to hypnotize Peter into gaining compliance. However, Peter breaks free from the trance upon learning of Ego’s responsibility for his mother’s demise and helps defeat him.
Star-Lord’s Father in the Comics
In the comic books, Star-Lord’s father is Jason of Spartax, a humanoid alien prince. According to some storylines, he is referred to as J’son. Jason’s spaceship crashes on Earth as he is returning home after a war, where he meets and falls in love with Meredith Quill. Jason eventually has to leave her to return to his people, unaware that Meredith is pregnant with his child.
Conclusion
While the MCU introduced the heartwarming revelation of Mantis and Peter Quill as paternal half-siblings, the original comic book storyline does not depict them as siblings with any familial connection. Fans have appreciated the creative changes made by James Gunn in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, adding emotional depth to the characters’ relationships.
