David Kane / Black Manta — Aquaman Character Profile

About David Kane / Black Manta

High-tech pirate seeking revenge against Aquaman

David Kane / Black Manta — Character Profile

Alignment

Villain

Species

Human

Abilities

Powered armor, Tactical combat, Revenge drive, Mercenary skills

• Strength: 8/10
• Intelligence: 6/10
• Charisma: 4/10
• Morality: 2/10
• Influence: 4/10

Affiliations

• Secret Society of Super Villains
• Suicide Squad
• Legion of Doom
• Injustice League
• O.G.R.E.
• DC Universe

Quick Facts about David Kane / Black Manta

Occupation

mercenary, martial artist, terrorist

David Kane / Black Manta's Known Relations

• Aqualad — Child
• Secret Society of Super Villains — Member of
• Suicide Squad — Member of
• Legion of Doom — Member of
• Injustice League — Member of
• O.G.R.E. — Member of
• Mera — Enemy
• Aquaman — Enemy
• Aqualad — Enemy

David Kane / Black Manta appears in 3 titles

• Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015) — character page
• Aquaman (2018)
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) — character page

Character Facts

Played by

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Appears in

Aquaman (2018)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• David Kane / Black Manta — Conflict Vengeful Enemy — Arthur Curry / Aquaman (Jason Momoa)

  David's revenge forms a parallel conflict with Arthur.

  After Arthur refuses to save Jesse during the submarine confrontation, David vows revenge and later battles Arthur.

• David Kane / Black Manta — Professional Employer — King Orm Marius / Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson)

  Orm instrumentalizes David as a covert operative.

  Orm is revealed to have hired David and Jesse to hijack the submarine and help create support for war.

• David Kane / Black Manta — Alliance Rescuer — Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park)

  Shin forms a new alliance with David around Atlantis and revenge.

  In the mid-credits scene, Shin saves Manta and agrees to help him find Atlantis in exchange for guidance.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Aquaman

More characters from Aquaman

• Arthur Curry / Aquaman (Jason Momoa)
• Mera (Amber Heard)
• Nuidis Vulko (Willem Dafoe)
• Atlanna (Nicole Kidman)
• King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren)
• King Orm Marius / Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson)
• Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison)
• Captain Murk (Ludi Lin)
• Jesse Kane (Manta's Father) (Michael Beach)
• Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park)
• Cargo Pilot (Leigh Whannell)
• Karathen (voice) (Julie Andrews)