Somna: A Bedtime Story (for adults) - Graphic Novel Series Review

I have loved Becky Cloonan's artwork since Demo and By Chance Or By Providence, which I have a signed copy of. I had a chance to meet her several years ago at Orbital Comics in London and she was wonderfully gracious as she signed the graphic novels and several of my Gotham Academy books. I also have a signed print from her and, which my wife isn't a fan of as it looks quite emo, but I love her gothic horror influenced style which is sexy and exciting.

When I heard that Cloonan was working with another artist to create an erotic gothic horror book I was in. At the time, I was not aware of Tula Lotay but, having read the Somna series, I really do appreciate her painterly ethereal style which complements Cloonan's extremely well... It really is a dream team.

The story of Somna is quite simple: In an English village in Stuart times, around 400 years ago, a young woman named Ingrid is married to a sexually repressed witch hunter. Whilst he is constantly on the lookout for witches and kills many women, Ingrid is left with repressed desires that manifests in nightmares. Her childhood friend Maja, a strong and independent woman, supports Ingrid and helps her as best she can but the Shadow Man from Ingrid's nightmares seems to be gaining power and influence over her. Can Ingrid survive the paranoia of the era and prevent herself from being cast as a witch?

Somna is a very effective read as it carries the themes of much folk horror; a person who is not a part of the community finding out about the horrors that exist within the community. What makes Somna so interesting is that Ingrid, the protagonist is from the community but doesn't feel like she is a part of it as she has suppressed desires as her husband is not fulfilling his husbandly duties so she is repressed. This creates a space for a darker force to exert its influence over her. The story of female subjugation and abuse by the patriarchy is an old one but the backdrop of the witch trials is a good one as it looks at how society blames the powerless and weak through methods of social control.

I loves the 3 part comic series as it is stunningly beautiful with lyrical layouts that make you swoon over the artistry on show. Cloonan takes the lead on the main scenes but Lotay's dream scenes complement the work as they oresnrt the Shadow Man gaining in power and influence over Ingrid.

The story is powerful and incredibly erotic but in the best possible way. This is definitely for adults but is tasteful and classy in its erotica - think Company of Wolves, Midsommer, The Witch or The Witchfinder General (which they cite as influences)  rather than Urotsokidoji and you'll get the idea. This book is a big recommend from me.