M.A.N.T.I.S. Synopsis: M.A.N.T.I.S. is an American science fiction television series that aired for one season on the Fox Network between August 1994 and March 1995. The original two-hour pilot was produced by Sam Raimi and developed by Sam Hamm. It stars actor Carl Lumbly. The show is unique in that it depicts an African-American superhero.