Marvel Comics is about to introduce a new LGBTQ+ mutant, Somnus, who had a profound influence on the lives of one of the X-Men. In June, Marvel is celebrating Pride Month with the Marvel Voices: Pride one-shot. The book will celebrate what Marvel describes as its "growing tapestry of LGBTQ+ characters," including the likes of Mystique, Karolina Dean, Iceman, Northstar, and Angela.

Marvel promised the one-shot would introduce a brand new LGBTQ+ hero, and a few days ago, the publisher teased readers with the promise of a mystery character named Somnus. Marvel didn't originally provide any details on Somnus, beyond a curious caption that read "Who was Somnus?" This raised eyebrows, to say the least, because it appeared to suggest this new LGBTQ+ hero had already been killed off, so it seemed odd to celebrate them so much. But now Marvel has revealed just why - because it seems Somnus is a mutant. The X-Men have conquered death, and they're resurrecting Somnus.

Related: The X-Men's Best Costumes Lasted Just Eight Issues

Apparently, Somnus was a mutant born with the power to control people's dreams, but it sounds as though his pre-resurrection story originally ended in tragedy. "Somnus, Carl Valentino, is inspired not only by my own family history, but by my experiences with past generations of LGBTQ+ folks from across the country, people I wouldn't have met without comics," writer Steve Orlando explained in Marvel's announcement. "While there is still plenty of work to do, we've also come a long way as a community. Somnus is a chance to explore how my own late queer relatives may have felt, living in more prejudiced times... With the Krakoan era being one of relative utopia for mutantkind, Somnus will bring a fresh perspective, and respectful gut check, to the young mutants of the present who may not know just how hard some had to fight for all mutants have achieved. Within the story and without, Somnus will be a new, complex character carrying a message of respect, power, and vision." Orlando will be joined by Eisner-nominated artist Claudia Aguirre, who's making her official Marvel debut.

Marvel Voices Somnus Cover
Marvel Somnus Design

There's no word from Marvel on Somnus' fate beyond the Marvel Voices: Pride one-shot, but it's interesting to note the mutant is making their debut at a time when the entire X-Men line is telling the story of the Hellfire Gala - an attempt to celebrate the future of the mutant race that promises to uncover secrets from the past. What's more, Somnus' designer Luciano Vecchio has cited the Hellfire Gala as one part of Somnus' design inspiration, mixed with Mod fashion and a palette based on Etruscan vase art as a nod to the god the character is named after. It's possible Somnus will gatecrash the Gala, and his never-before-told origin story will be one of the shocking secrets brought to light.

Somnus fits well with the overarching direction of the X-Men line. His ability to manipulate dreams could make him a natural fit in Leah Williams' The Trial of Magneto, simply because he'd be a perfect investigator; he could force a person to relive memories in their sleep, and thus uncover anything that is being hidden. Alternatively, Si Spurrier's Way of X appears to be exploring a psychic presence - possibly a manifestation of Legion's dissociative identity disorder - that's haunting Krakoa, Again, Somnus' powerset would make him a useful asset in such a story, and it's easy to imagine a writer like Spurrier using Somnus as a lens through which to examine the mutant society. This new mutant's potential is tremendous, and he's a welcome addition to the X-Men.

More: X-Men Variant Cover Showcases All Of Psylocke's Comic Costumes