Sleeper (comics)

Sleeper is a comic book title and character concept that has appeared in several forms, most notably in the Marvel Comics universe.

Marvel Comics:

In Marvel Comics, "Sleeper" most commonly refers to a series created by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, published under Marvel's MAX imprint (a line of comics intended for mature audiences). This series features:

• Ethan Rayne: An agent of the U.S. government who goes undercover inside a criminal organization run by a powerful mutant named Darwin (not the X-Men character). Rayne is implanted with a bio-engineered virus that gives him superhuman abilities while also putting him in a coma if he leaves Darwin's employment. He acts as a "sleeper" agent, waiting for activation.

• The Sleeper Virus: This virus is the core of Rayne's transformation. It grants enhanced strength, speed, and durability, but dependence on Darwin's "cure" keeps Rayne loyal (at least initially). The virus gives him a distinctive appearance, marked by pale skin and other physical changes.

The Sleeper series is characterized by its noir-influenced style, gritty realism, and complex moral ambiguities. It explores themes of betrayal, identity, and the consequences of unchecked power. It ran for two seasons of 12 issues each, Sleeper Season One and Sleeper Season Two.

Other Uses:

The term "Sleeper" can also refer more generally to:

• Sleeper Agents: In espionage and superhero fiction, a sleeper agent is an operative placed in a target environment, living as a normal member of society, and only activated much later to carry out a specific mission. This concept is broader than the specific Sleeper comic but is related thematically.

• Hidden Threats/Characters: A character whose true power or allegiance is initially unknown, only to be revealed later, can sometimes be referred to as a "sleeper" character due to their delayed emergence.