6 Things to Know About Mosaic, Marvel's Newest Black Superhero

In the midst of yet another Civil War in the Marvel Universe, the Inhumans — individuals with alien DNA and superpowers — will see a newcomer who’s going to be a real handful. Morris Sackett, aka Mosaic, is a cocky pro athlete who loses his physical form and must inherit other bodies to survive. The new Inhuman will make his debut in Uncanny Inhumans #11 before starring in his own series this October from Geoffrey Thorne and Khary Randolph.

Described as “the perfect spy,” Mosaic will contribute to Marvel’s genuine effort to diversity within its comic book universe as a new black superhero, but Thorne and Randolph are quick to destroy stereotypes for black superheroes. “People always ask for more diversity and strong characters of color, so that is what we aim to deliver,” Randolph told Vulture. “But that aspect is just the outer layer the more important thing is creating an interesting person that people will want to know more about month to month.”

1. He doesn’t just take over bodies, he actually becomes them

In the same Vulture interview, Thorne and Randolph describe Mosaic’s powers as more than a ghostly inhabiter. “He has access to every memory, every talent, and most important, every nuance of speech and behavior his host might have,” Thorne says. “Morris physically takes over your body — sort of like a parasite or a virus made of energy.”

The Marvel Universe, brimming with geniuses like Tony Stark and Peter Parker and heavy hitters like the Hulk and Thor, offer no shortage of exciting hosts for the new Inhuman.

2. He is downright undetectable

“Not even a telepath could detect his presence unless he wanted them to,” says Thorne. “He cannot be detected or blocked by any conventional surveillance or defensive equipment, not even Stark-level tech. He is the perfect spy.”

3. When he takes over, the original host “sleeps.”

Thorne describes the hosts memories and personality as going to “sleep,” using a metaphor of a hard drive that Mosaic has full access to.

4. He has his share of weaknesses, too

Because of Mosaic’s ability, he has no physical self anymore, which is agonizing for an athlete so used to staying in shape. He’s also limited by what his hosts can do. For example, if Mosaic knew how to do somersaults, he can’t do them when he’s possessing someone who wouldn’t, somebody like (presumably) Kingpin.

5. He isn’t another Peter Parker

Ethnic diversity is great and needed more than ever, but Thorne was adamant about adding layers to Mosaic. Because there are so few examples of minority superheroes, Thorne laments how characters like Black Panther are unable to be less than upstanding examples.

Mosaic isn’t going to be another friendly neighborhood hero. He’s a jerk, spoiled by his lifestyle who loses it all in an instant. “One minute, Mosaic holds the world in the palm of his hand, the next, he has absolutely nothing,” explained Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso in a statement. “[E]xcept for powers that … if not properly harnessed, will feel more like a curse.””

“I’m very pleased Marvel is letting me make Morris the fully rounded person that he needs to be for the story to work,” Thorne says.

6. His release date

A free 10-page origin story of Mosaic will be available at Barnes & Noble stores on August 6, while his full-fledged solo series will hit shelves beginning in October.