Magnetic Press has built its reputation on bringing visionary international voices to English‑language readers. Their latest addition continues this good work. In partnership with Oni Press, the publisher is releasing the first U.S. editions of Peaceful Remission and Wandering, two acclaimed graphic novels from artist and director Jonathan Djob Nkondo. These works that have already earned global attention for their atmospheric storytelling, meditative pacing, and singular visual language.
For Magnetic Press Publisher Mike Kennedy, this project represents more than a licensing milestone. Nkondo’s work sits at the intersection of comics, animation, and fine art, and its arrival in the U.S. underscores Magnetic’s ongoing mission to expand the boundaries of what graphic literature can look and feel like. These editions introduce American readers to a creator whose sensibilities are as cinematic as they are intimate, and whose narratives unfold with a quiet emotional force rarely seen in mainstream publishing.
In our recent conversation, Kennedy discusses the path that brought Nkondo’s books to Magnetic and Oni, the challenges of presenting such stylistically distinct work to a new audience, their recent Kickstarter campaign and why Nkondo’s voice feels so essential in today’s comics landscape. So, let’s welcome back Magnetic Press Publisher Mike Kennedy to GVN Talking Comics.
Bringing Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s Work to U.S. Audiences
GVN: Thank you for sharing some time with us again, Mike. We last spoke when Magnetic Press brought Florent Maudoux’s Seven-Volume Adventure Series ‘Freaks’ Squeele’ to Kickstarter with “FREAKS’ SQUEELE: The Complete Chaos Curriculum.”
Now you are bringing Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s work to U.S. audiences. What first drew Magnetic Press to Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s work, and why did you feel Peaceful Remission and Wandering were the right projects to bring to U.S. readers?
MIKE: I first noticed Jonathan’s graphic novels while in Europe – the visual style and storytelling were very unique and awesome. The original French editions were tiny, smaller than pocketbooks, and I really thought the material could benefit from a larger format for an English-speaking market. I didn’t learn about Jonathan’s involvement with SCAVENGERS REIGN, LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS, and now the new GORILLAZ short film “The Mountain, Moon Cave, and Sad God” until after we had signed the publishing agreement. Knowing his involvement in those projects now, pieces started to click and it’s extremely easy to see his thumbprint in all of those projects. As those should all be recognizable to US readers, we’re excited to spotlight Jonathan’s fantastic talent as showcased in these graphic novels.
The Style of Jonathan Djob Nkondo
GVN: How would you describe Nkondo’s artistic voice to someone discovering him for the first time?
MIKE: Jonathan’s style is very unique and affecting. Visually, it leans into a minimalist presentation, but not at the expense of detail – if it’s important to the intended mood or concept, it’s there. But he doesn’t waste time on unnecessary details. You can see that minimalism in his animation work without compromising any of the interpretive depth of the scene or story being told. He’s excellent at setting a mood or capturing an unspoken thought with an amazing economy of lines. You can definitely see those skills in SCAVENGERS REIGN and his personal short films for FXX and MTV.
What Makes “Peaceful Remission” and “Wandering” Resonate with Readers
GVN: As a follow-up, Peaceful Remission and Wandering each have distinct tones and visual identities. What themes or qualities do you think make them resonate so strongly?
MIKE: While it isn’t specified anywhere or by the author, I can easily imagine both graphic novels taking place in the same future universe – while WANDERING is much more Utopia vs Dystopia, he hops between both in such a way that you’re never sure which is which. PEACEFUL REMISSION takes a much more every-day approach to looking at an elderly married couple, but set in space, living in an asteroid colony. The situations are completely identifiable, even if the step-by-step daily processes are a bit more complicated and sci-fi.
Adapting These Works
GVN: Were there any challenges in adapting these works for their first U.S. editions, whether editorial, production-related, or cultural?
MIKE: Aside from the larger formats we’re giving to our editions and translating PEACEFUL REMISSION into English, we’re letting the work speak for itself. WANDERING was wordless to begin with, so that translation was easy.
Edition Enhancements
GVN: Magnetic Press is known for high-quality, art-forward editions. What special production elements or enhancements are planned for these U.S. editions?
MIKE: In addition to the larger trim-size, we’re also presenting both in very unique unwrapped hardcovers, with the binding visible through exposed spines, with full-color cardstock sleeves wrapping each. We thought this design approach would reinforce the “raw traditions” portrayed by the characters in the story while wrapped in “glossy, pretty” scifi surface colors on the outside.
The Kickstarter Campaign
GVN: For this Kickstarter campaign, are there any exclusive features—prints, slipcases, variant covers, or behind-the-scenes material—that fans can look forward to?
MIKE: The slipcase collection being offered in the campaign is exclusive to this Kickstarter, as is the bonus art book of several of Jonathan’s personal pieces included with it. We’re planning a schedule of other informative updates, as well as several Kickstarter-exclusive stretch goals, should we reach certain milestones.
GVN: What have you learned from past campaigns that shaped how you’re approaching this one or is it the “if its not broke, don’t fix it,” approach?
MIKE: It’s hard to base many expectations on past campaign performances. While we think we continue to do a formidable job of curating the best titles with the coolest collectors’ editions available, some titles just resonate more with the audience. And it’s always surprising which ones spike and which one’s stall. Since most of our authors are relatively unknown in the US, we can never be certain how far each will make it around the bases. We’re optimistic for this one, though.
What New Readers Might Take Away from These Books
GVN: Thanks again, Mike. Finally, what do you hope new readers will take away from experiencing these books for the first time?
MIKE: Ideally, they’ll become long-term fans of Jonathan’s work and will not only become aware of his hand in some fantastic projects but will seek it out.
The Kickstarter Campaign for Magnetic and Oni Press First U.S. Editions of SCAVENGERS REIGN Storyboard Artist and Director Jonathan Djob Nkondo’s Graphic Novels – “Peaceful Remission” and “Wandering” is underway. You can check it out here.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
