A Scavengers Reign Artist Delves into Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi with New Comics

You might be familiar with Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s work from his animated projects like the mind-bending sci-fi series Scavengers Reign or the recent Gorillaz short film The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God. However, before diving into animation, this French artist and animator was creating self-published comics that showcased bizarre alien landscapes and futuristic societies. Now, he’s revisiting that earlier work with a vibrant release of two graphic novels. “I think most of the people who follow my work don’t necessarily know that I published comics,” Nkondo shares. “I’m mainly recognized for my animation, so bringing these books back into the spotlight felt like a great way to get the word out.”

Earlier this month, Nkondo kicked off a Kickstarter campaign for English editions of these graphic novels, and it quickly surpassed its funding goals. He admits he “wasn’t expecting much” from the crowdfunding effort, but it has already raised over $100,000, far exceeding the initial target of $7,500. “I might be living too much in my bubble,” Nkondo reflects. “I’m not really aware of what interests people.”

The two graphic novels, titled Peaceful Remission and Wandering, were originally published in French. Through the campaign, these black-and-white comics will be available in both digital and hardcover formats, depending on your pledge level; a limited-edition version that includes an artbook is also offered at the $99 tier.

Peaceful Remission tells the story of an elderly couple living in a futuristic suburb where their homes are carved into asteroids, adding complexity to their already intricate relationship. Wandering, on the other hand, is a wordless journey through a distant future, presenting two perspectives: a wealthy individual in a high-tech city and a younger man struggling to survive in the desolate wasteland beyond.

Both books delve into personal relationships on a deeply intimate level, and fans of Scavengers Reign will find a similar, thoughtful pacing in these narratives. Visually, they are striking, featuring uniquely imaginative designs for architecture, technology, and more. Nkondo explains that his design process prioritizes aesthetics over practicality. “I think about shapes first and then try to apply them to fashion, architecture, or vehicles,” he notes. “My designs might look cool, but they aren’t always the most practical.”

Another common thread between Scavengers Reign and Nkondo’s solo work is a sense of tranquility. Both rely heavily on visual storytelling rather than dialogue, especially in Wandering, which is entirely text-free. This approach encourages readers to take their time and fully engage with each image to grasp the narrative. Nkondo believes this style is a natural outcome of the stories he wants to tell. “In comics, like in my short films, the narratives I create aren’t necessarily dialogue-driven, so I don’t feel pressured to include a lot of text,” he explains. “I’m comfortable conveying actions or emotions through visuals.”

With time still remaining in the Kickstarter campaign, the books are set to begin shipping this summer. This presents an opportunity for those who discovered Nkondo’s work through his larger collaborations to explore a more personal side of his creativity, one that retains a similar energy but with deeper stakes. Looking ahead, he mentions that two upcoming projects—a comic and a short film—will take a different approach, incorporating a more dialogue-focused style of storytelling. “It’s a challenge as interesting as the more silent stories I’ve worked on,” he says.