Jonathan Djob Nkondo, an artist known for his work with Gorillaz and the show Scavengers Reign, launched a Kickstarter for a pair of graphic novels.
You may recognize Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s work from animated projects like the surreal sci-fi series Scavengers Reign or the recent Gorillaz short film The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God. But before that the French artist and animator made self-published comics that depicted strange alien worlds and future societies.
Now he’s revisiting that work with a lush release of two graphic novels. “I think most of the people who follow my work don’t necessarily know that I published comics,” Nkondo tells The Verge. “I am mainly known for my work in animations, so revisiting those books and promoting them again was a good way to spread the word.” Earlier this month Nkondo launched a Kickstarter for English versions of these books, and the campaign blew past its funding goals. He says that he “wasn’t expecting much” with the crowdfunding campaign, but it so far has raised more than $100,000, when the initial goal was just $7,500. “I might be living too much in my bubble,” Nkondo says. “I’m not really aware about the things that would interest people.” The two books in question are called Peaceful Remission and Wandering, and they both were previously published in French. As part of the campaign, the black-and-white comics will be available in both digital and hardcover formats, depending on how much you pledge; a limited-edition version complete with an artbook is also available at the $99 tier. Peaceful Remission follows the lives of an elderly couple who live in a sort of space-age suburb where the houses are built into asteroids, further complicating their already complicated relationship. Wandering, meanwhile, is a dialogue-free trek through a far-future vision seen from two perspectives: a wealthy man inside of a futuristic city, and a younger man trying to survive the wasteland that exists outside of it. Both explore personal relationships on an intimate scale, and for fans coming from Scavengers Reign, the books move at a similarly measured, contemplative pace. They also just look cool as hell, with stunningly original designs for the architecture, technology, and more. Nkondo says that when it comes to design, he starts with the aesthetic side before worrying about practicality or realism. “I think about shapes in the first place and then I try to apply them to fashion, architecture, or vehicles,” he says. “My designs could look cool but usually they aren’t the most pragmatic.” Another similarity between Scavengers Reign and Nkondo’s solo projects is a sense of quiet. Both rely more on visual storytelling than dialogue, and that’s especially true in Wandering, which has no text whatsoever. It forces the reader to slow down and absorb each image to understand what’s going on. Nkondo says this form is simply a byproduct of the stories he wants to explore. “I feel like in comics, like in my short films, the stories that I tell aren’t necessarily dialogue-driven so I don’t feel the pressure to add too many words,” he explains. “I’m fine with depicting actions or moods with visuals.” There’s still some time left in the Kickstarter campaign, and the books are expected to start shipping this summer. It’s a chance for those who came to Nkondo’s work through his larger collaborations to discover a new side, one that has a similar energy but more personal stakes. When it comes to the future, however, he notes that two upcoming projects — a comic and a short film — are a bit of a departure, exploring a more dialogue-heavy style of storytelling. “It is a challenge as interesting as the more silent stories I worked on,” he says.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Seattle Reign FC trade Jordyn Huitema to Chicago Stars FCSeattle Reign FC dealt forward Jordyn Huitema to Chicago Stars FC on Thursday in exchange for $500,000 in league funds, including $200,000 in allocation money and $300,000 in intra-league transfer funds.
Read more »
When and Where to Watch ‘Ladies of London: The New Reign’ Season 4 OnlineFive-day free trial
Read more »
Reign FC trades Jordyn Huitema to Chicago for $500,000 in league fundsSeattle Reign FC has traded forward Jordyn Huitema to Chicago Stars FC in exchange for $500,000 in league funds, the club announced Wednesday.The deal includes
Read more »
Seattle Reign FC announce 2026 roster, sign forward Ruby HladekSeattle Reign FC announced their roster ahead of the 2026 NWSL season, which included the signing of forward Ruby Hladek on Thursday.
Read more »
FOX 13 Seattle, Seattle Reign FC announce broadcast schedule for 2026 NWSL seasonFOX 13 Seattle and Seattle Reign FC announced Friday that seven of the club's games this season will air on FOX 13+, starting with their season opener against the Orlando Pride this Sunday.
Read more »
Seattle Reign FC signs forward Holly WardSeattle Reign FC added forward Holly Ward to their roster on Friday ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Orlando Pride.
Read more »