Advance Review: Cloonan And Lotay Explore Dark Desires In ‘Somna’ #1

Spinning out of their short story in The Devil’s Cut, Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay have again teamed up for the erotic folk-horror series Somna. And if the very idea of an erotic folk-horror series seems a tad counterintuitive, rest assured that this series works – at least for its first issue.

While Cloonan and Lotay are known primarily for their artwork the pair also write the series, which is tangentially related to their previous folk-horror (minus most of the eroticism) tale What Blighted Flame Burns in Thee? In the ongoing series, Cloonan and Lotay tell the story of Ingrid, a woman living in a Puritanical English village in the 1600s. Her husband is the local bailiff and has developed a reputation for finding – and then burning – witches.

There’s just one problem: Ingrid could be his next target. The young woman is having lusty dreams involving a mysterious supernatural stranger. Very lusty dreams. They are so erotic, in fact, that her hubby starts to wonder why she’s moaning every time she goes to sleep. Yet he rebuffs her when she tries to seduce him.

Cloonan and Lotay have been fascinated with exploring myths like the ones presented in Somna. Yet the story in this first oversized issue is a slow burn. Publisher DSTLRY promised readers a murder mystery, which hasn’t yet materialized in the series’ first 48 pages. Instead it’s an exploration of themes including repression and sensuality. It is certainly not typical comic book fodder, which makes it worth exploring for that reason alone.

Not surprisingly, it’s the imagery here – both erotic and more subdued – that make the book so worthy of attention. Their two artistic styles work well together. Lotay’s illustrations have an ethereal, dreamlike quality to them, which lends itself to perfectly to Ingrid’s erotic dreams. Cloonan’s artwork is a bit more grounded, though still great to look at.

Still, many readers will pick up this book for the titillation factor. And there’s plenty titillating going on. Both artists portray all manner of nudity and sex – and they do so incredibly well. Lotay especially brings out the best of the female form in nearly every panel. In one memorable scene, Ingrid wakes from a dream and wanders into a barn where she pleasures herself, encouraged by the lover from her dreams.

It may not take much more than a beautifully drawn, mostly naked woman to drive sales. To be a critical success, though the creators will want to drive the plot further while continuing to explore these fascinating themes.

Somna #1 will be available for purchase on November 22, 2023.