French artist and animator Jonathan Djob Nkondo announced a new English release for his graphic novels this week. The project arrives via a Kickstarter campaign that launched earlier this month. Fans of his animation work on Scavengers Reign will find familiar themes in these new publications. The release marks a significant return to his self-published roots.
The crowdfunding effort has already surpassed expectations significantly. Nkondo reported raising more than $100,000 against an initial goal of $7,500. This financial success indicates a strong demand for his independent work outside of major studio productions, representing a growth of over 1,200%.
Two specific titles comprise the collection, Peaceful Remission and Wandering. Both books were originally published in French before this international expansion. The campaign offers digital and hardcover formats, with a limited edition artbook available at a higher pledge tier. Collectors can secure the physical copies before the general market.
Peaceful Remission depicts an elderly couple navigating a complex relationship in a space-age suburb. Their homes sit inside asteroids, adding physical complexity to their emotional struggles. The narrative focuses on intimate human connections within a futuristic setting.
Wandering presents a dialogue-free trek through a far-future vision from two distinct perspectives. One viewpoint follows a wealthy man inside a futuristic city while the other tracks a survivor in the wasteland. This silence forces readers to slow down and absorb each image to understand the plot.
Nkondo prioritizes aesthetic shapes over practicality when designing architecture and vehicles. He told The Verge that his designs often look cool but are not the most pragmatic solutions. This approach creates a unique visual language that distinguishes his solo projects from commercial animation. He focuses on the aesthetic side before worrying about realism.
The quiet tone of these comics mirrors the atmosphere found in his animated series work. Both mediums rely more on visual storytelling than dialogue to convey mood and action. Nkondo explained that he feels no pressure to add words when visuals can depict the narrative effectively.
Upcoming projects mark a departure from this silent style with more dialogue-heavy storytelling. The artist describes this shift as a challenge as interesting as his previous silent stories. These future works will likely appear as a comic and a short film.
Books are expected to start shipping this summer to backers who supported the campaign. This release offers a chance for audiences to discover a new side of the artist. The personal stakes in these books differ from the larger collaborations that brought him fame.
The success of this campaign highlights the viability of independent sci-fi publishing in the current market. It demonstrates that niche audiences exist for contemplative visual narratives. Observers will watch how this momentum influences his future creative decisions. The industry may see more creators following this path for funding.
