Hawkins originally developed his exo-skeleton with the help of his associate John Stonebrake (Roger Rees) as a vehicle for him to walk after he was shot by a crooked cop and left paralyzed from the waist down during the L.A. Riots of the 1990s.

When Miles discovered the suit's superhuman strength and speed, he decided to fight crime as a vigilante known as M.A.N.T.I.S. To stop criminals, M.A.N.T.I.S fires special darts that impart a temporary paralytic shock.

Miles fought corruption from his secret headquarters beneath his coastal home near Port Columbia.  Dr. Hawkins placed the following newspaper ad "Need Help? No One To Turn To? 1-500-4-MANTIS." He traveled via a flying car known as the Chrysalis, originally designed as a prototype for the police.

Miles' alter ego was eventually discovered by a police detective Lt. Leora Maxwell (Gaylyn Gorg) but instead of exposing Miles, she joined forces with M.A.N.T.I.S to battle crime and bring back justice to the streets.

A bicycle courier named Taylor Savidge (Christopher Russell Gartin) - who also knew about M.A.N.T.I.S. - did the legwork for Miles Hawkins.

M.A.N.T.I.S. stood for Mechanically Automated Neuro Transmitter Interactive System.