Anyways, about my good pal. Firstly, his name "Psycho Mantis". This name tells you so much about him from the very beginning. The "Psycho" speaks not only to his powers but his twisted view of the world. What makes Mantis's psychosis so interesting is it's logical basis Depending on the person interacting with him, it may make him appear a brilliant, if mis-anthropic, or if you fear him more than respect him, his utter hatred for mankind can seem so extreme as to rob him of his humanity.
Secondly, he has curiously strong fashion sense. When we first see mantis he is levitating behind snake's ally/love-interest, Meryl. He is dressed in a full trench-coat with straps that pull it so tight to his body at parts, that they seem to cut into him. His face is utterly obscured by a gasmask with orange lenses. If I saw Mantis walking down the street I would probably peg him as a cosplay nerd, or goth gone horribly awesome. Neither, I feel, is too far from the truth. Mantis clearly loves putting on a show, which is interesting, since he seems to hate people. The coat, while it covers him, is also a way to draw attention. Nothing quite says "nut-job" like a guy who goes around all the time wearing a gasmask. But Mantis is a nut-job, and he wants you to know it. A practical meaning behind the mask is given, that it acts as "psychic insulation" to prevent Mantis from constantly have to listen to people's thoughts.
Mantis is such a powerful "psychic" as he can't STOP reading minds unless he consciously blocks them out. Now, having freudian psychology force-fed to me for the past two years makes me want to analyze this a little closer(thanks a-lot freud. asshole) What if Mantis were meant to symbolize someone so sensitive to others problems and feelings that he is incapable of ignoring them. I, have actually had this problem, as have others in my family. Constantly having to think about other people's psychological bullshit can put a real strain on you, especially if you have problems of your own, and mantis has some seriously screwy shit going on. For a hi-larious and startlingly faithful representation of mantis and fox hound read the webcomic Last Days of Foxhound. here's the dude's blurb on Mantis: "Psycho Mantis' name refers not to his mental health - although that's certainly questionable - but to his powerful mastery of psychokinesis and telepathy. Or, alternatively, telekinesis and psychopathy. Either way, really. Also, for reasons he won't discuss, he's instinctively repulsed by females. He's not gay, just... I don't know. Weird. His gasmask prevents the moment to moment thoughts of everyone in the whole damn world from popping into his head. Think about it - would you want to hear what that creepy guy next to you on the subway is thinking? Of course not."
It's funny because it's true. I think I'll leave stuff here for now, but I definately have more to say on this stuff.
2 comments:
The only problem with Psycho Mantis is that his gas mask, leather coat, and telekinetic powers evoke Nazis. Mantis feels some solidarity with Snake because they both serve causes that are not necessarily their own. However, Mantis is clearly a bad guy since he is prone to violence and destruction.
Lose the mohawk,
Doug
Wow. It's interesting to read analyses of video game characters. Honestly, I skimmed a bit because I do not know anything about video games. I have had a strong disliking for them since I was little and surrounded by my video game-playing cousins. I would want to go outside and play or do something, and they would want to stay inside and play video games. This annoyed me because I found the games boring. Why? Thinking back, the games my one cousin in particular always played were one-player games. This would leave me to sit and watch him beat each level. Boring. I remember liking games like mario cart, but after about an hour I was ready to do something else. The only time I remember enjoying video games was when I had a gameboy and played super mario land and tetris.
After talking with friends now about video games, I am beginning to understand why they like them a bit more. I didn't realize that there are extremely complex games that cost millions of dollars to make and have actual theory behind them. Basically, I didn't realize that video games could be considered a form of art. In some ways, they seem like a step beyond film. Not only is a world created, but it is up to the player to "make it" in this world. Walter Benjamin notes, "The adjustment of reality to the masses and of the masses to reality is a process of unlimited scope, as much for thinking as for perception." As art is always changing in form, video games seem like a 20 and 21st century view of reality.
Post a Comment