Mance, often referred to as Mance Rayd or Mance the King, is a pivotal figure in the history of Middle-earth, particularly known from "The Lord of the Rings" and its adaptations into comics. He was a powerful king who ruled over a vast army of free peoples, aiming to resist the darkness spreading across the land. Mance's story is deeply connected to the First Age, where his leadership and strategic prowess played a crucial role in the wars against the Dark Lord Morgoth (the primary antagonist of "The Silmarillion" and a key figure in shaping Melkor's legacy).