Somnus, a new LGBTQ + hero debuting in June in the Marvel Voices: Pride # 1 comic series , is a powerful mutant whose story will be linked to X-men. The new character was designed graphically by Luciano Vecchio. The character was invented by Steve Orlando and Claudia Aguirre.
As we can read from the description of the character creator Steve Orlando:
Somnus, also known as Carl Valentino, is a mutant who had a remarkable influence on the X-Man long ago. His mutant powers give him the ability to control other people’s dreams. For some reason, Somnus has vanished from mutant history until now, when he is given a new chance to pursue his own dreams and fulfill his heroic destiny as part of the mutant nation of Krakoa.
Orlando continues:
Somnus or Carl Valentino is inspired not only by my own family history, but also by my experiences with past generations of LGBTQ + people from all over the country. People I wouldn’t have known without comics. While there is still a long way to go, we as a community have come a long way as well. Somnus is a chance to explore how my queer relatives might have felt in more prejudiced times. It is also an occasion to celebrate and recognize the progress we have made that perhaps other generations have not made. The Krakoan era was one of the relative utopias for mutants. The story of Somnus will bring the young mutants of the present day who may not have known how hard some have had to fight for all mutants, with a new perspective and respect.
Later in the press release for the entire Marvel Voices: Pride series, cartoonist Laciano Vecchio says:
Marvel’s Voices: Pride gives me many dream quests! In addition to making the cover, the variant of the frame and the story that I wrote myself, I also had to design a new queer character that I portrayed in a story written by Steve Orlando. I am very happy to finally officially work with Steve and I immediately fell in love with the concept and history of Somnus. I got some feedback from him and editor Sarah Brunstad, but also a lot of freedom to submit ideas. This time, the design process itself felt almost like a challenge. I wanted him to look like a “man of dreams”, very charming and human, but also out of reach. Some of the visuals are a mix of runway fashion, a bit of Hellfire Gal’s influence, and a palette based on Etruscan artwork as a nod to God.
The Marvel Voices: Pride # 1 comic will be available on June 23, 2021.
