DSTLRY, the next-generation publisher redefining creator-owned comic books and collectibles, today revealed Somna, a new erotic folk-horror comic series launching this November from Eisner Award-winning creators Tula Lotay (Barnstormers) and Becky Cloonan (By Chance or Providence, Wonder Woman). The pair, who have been developing the supernatural series for over a decade, both write and illustrate the full series.
Spinning out of their 11-page story “What Blighted Flame Burns in Thee?” from DSTLRY’s debut release The Devil’s Cut (on-sale August 30th), Somna is an eerie exploration of puritanical oppression and forbidden passion presented in oversized, 48-page perfect bound issues, exquisitely written, drawn, and colored by Cloonan and Lotay.
Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, Somna follows one woman’s escape from the confines of her puritanical world. Ingrid is unhappily married to Roland, the town’s bailiff and chief witch hunter, who has embarked on a single-minded quest to purge the ‘heretics’ in their midst.
After a prominent town leader is found murdered, accusations fly and no one is above reproach from Roland’s deadly crusade. Ingrid has her suspicions about who the real murderer is, but even as she searches for the truth, she’s pursued by a shadowy figure. Ingrid gravitates to the foreboding phantom in ways she can’t resist; does this otherworldly seduction hold the key to the mystery? Or will he damn Ingrid’s soul to the blackest circle of Hell?
“Somna culminates from a decade plus reveling in the darkest mythologies of history,” co-creator Becky Cloonan explains. “Being able to explore these lifetime obsessions alongside one of my favorite creators has made this a career-defining project.”
“I can’t express how excited I am to finally see Somna conjured into existence,” co-creator Tula Lotay continues. “Becky and I have been finessing this brutally dark and sexy journey for years, and there’s been nothing like it before in comics.”
Somna #1 features two open-order covers by co-creators Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay, with 1:10, 1:25, and 1:50 incentive variant covers to be revealed at a later date.
Somna #1 is available now for pre-order and will be on sale at local comic shops and digitally via www.dstlry.co this November. Retailers can place print orders now through Lunar Distribution and Diamond Comic Distributors.