Bos'n Mantrax (Nebula crew; Silver Surfer story)

mantrax-bosn-neb-thighsup mantrax-bosn-neb-facesweat BOS'N MANTRAX

Real Name: Mantrax

Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (race unidentified)

Occupation: Bos'n (see comments)

Group Membership: The crew of the Sanctuary III

Affiliations: Geatar, Nebula, Captain Styx;
formerly Thanos

Enemies: Thanos

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
formerly mobile throughout space in the starship Sanctuary III

First Appearance: Silver Surfer III#38 (June, 1990)

Powers/Abilities: Mantrax was presumably an experienced starship crewman, supervising maintenance and function of the starship Sanctuary III.

Mantrax did not demonstrate superhuman abilities.

He was sufficiently loyal to Nebula to risk his own life by defying the will of Thanos.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately )
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately )
Eyes: Solid black (apparently covered with a lens that reflected light)
Hair: Black (top-knot only)

History:

(Silver Surfer III#38) - Bos'n Mantrax was on the bridge of the starship Sanctuary III when one of the crewmen detected an energy probe and then another energy focused on the bridge as Thanos transported aboard.

While many aboard praised the return of their master, Nebula denounced Thanos as an impostor and commanded her first mate Geatar to deal with him. However, Thanos swiftly subdued Geatar and then set Nebula on fire.

As Nebula ran screaming from the room, Thanos instructed Mantrax to go after her and see that the body was disposed of. Obediently replying "Yes, master," Mantrax rushed down the hall after Nebula.

He eventually found her smoldering on the ground after a ship sensor dispatched a drone that sprayed her with a fire retardant chemical. As she groaned, Mantrax called out to her "Capt---you still live!" mantrax-bosn-neb-stand-halfullish

Picking up Nebula's limp form, Mantrax told her not to worry as he would get her to safety and that he knew a place on the ship where no one ever went where he could hide her.

He continued that she would have time to heal and that everything would be "all right...You'll see."

(Silver Surfer III#45 (fb) - BTS) - Mantrax cared for Nebula but found that his medical skills were insufficient for the severity of her burns and that she was dying.

(Silver Surfer III#45 - BTS) - Having claimed the power of the Infinity Gems/Gauntlet, Thanos returned to Sanctuary III and detected a "stowaway" on board.

(Silver Surfer III#45) - Thanos transported himself and Captain Styx to the room where Mantrax secretly cared for Nebula, and Styx identified Bos'n Mantrax as a Sanctuary III crew member. When Thanos demanded an explanation, the profusely sweating Mantrax explained how the ship's computerized fire control had extinguished the flames that had engulfed Nebula.

    After Thanos surmised that Mantrax had brought her there to recuperate, Mantrax respectfully confirmed this but added that he feared it had been a futile gesture, that his medical skills had not been up to the job and that Nebula was dying.

    After Thanos confirmed that he sensed her imminent demise, Mantrax told Thanos that Nebula was in such bad shape that death would be a blessing. He further added his belief that she had been badly brain-damaged in the blaze.

    Intrigued with the prospect of Nebula's lingering on a thin line between life and death, Thanos instead used his now vast powers to preserve such "beauty," restoring her to consciousness and mobility, but trapped in constant agony.
mantrax-bosn-neb-aflame

Thanos then addressed Mantrax again, and Mantrax replied, "She was my captain, sir." When Thanos noted that he admired loyalty in a subservient, Mantrax briefly smiled, but when Thanos added, "but only if it an unconditional loyalty to me," Mantrax was briefly terrified before Thanos set him aflame.

(Silver Surfer III#45 - BTS) - Mantrax presumably burnt to death, but Thanos was distracted by the arrival of the Hell-lord Mephisto who sought to pose as Thanos' servant while ultimately seeking to claim the Infinity Gauntlet for himself.

Comments: Created by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim

Bos'n is a shortened form of bosun, phonetic spelling of boatswain or deck boss, referring to the most senior rate (non-officer) of the deck department. A Bos'n is typically responsible for the components of the hull and supervising the other members of the deck department.

Bos' Mantrax may or may not have been part of the crew of the Sanctuary III prior to Nebula becoming its captain.

Presumably Captain Styx was so busy following Thanos' orders to assemble an armada that he failed to appreciate Mantrax's prolonged absence. I'm not sure exactly how much time took place between Silver Surfer III#38 and #45, but that was the time during which the Thanos Quest occurred, which may have only taken days or perhaps a week, while the Surfer was distracted with Thanos' seeming demise and then being tapped in Dynamo City.

This profile was completed 03/08/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25^th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Thanks to Loki for recommending Bos'n Mantrax to represent Nebula for the event!

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Bos'n Mantrax should be distinguished from:

MANTRAP (Roane) - Project Trapdoor. Superhuman physical abilities, senses, healing--X-Men: Smoke & Mirrors novel
other "Mantrax" characters, groups, items, events, races or places...

images: (without ads)
Silver Surfer III#38, pg. 5, panel 6 (thighs up);
          panel 8 (posterior view; carrying injured Nebula);
    #45, pg. 7, panel 2 (half kneeling, confronted by Thanos);
       pg. 9, panel 1 (standing, showing fully leg);
          panel 3 (face, smiling);
          panel 5 (aflame)

Appearances:
Silver Surfer III#38 (June, 1990) - Jim Starlin (writer), Ron Lim (penciler), Tom Christopher (inker), Craig Anderson (editor)

First posted: 09/23/2026
Last updated: 03/08/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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