As GM, I recommend that you don't drop Mantis EBJ, even if you're picking him up again, what I may suggest is that you use him to introduce a second character instead, having your season 2 character appear as a supporting character or something, that way it avoids the anoying character changes etc, and builds up both characters at once?
I think second characters now, could be a good idea, but we did say season 2, and it would make sense to hold to our own standards, in the fairness of carving out this season well.
Due to the recent absence of my co-GM, I myself have found myself stranded in the IC, and the urge to pick up another character is obviously there, but I think for the good of the RPG, we need a slower buildup of characters, in season one, there are quite a few super-humans etc, but we want there to be a noticable gradual buildup, which is where season 2 changes the dynamic, hence the extra character slot.
Thoughts anyone?