Oni Press and Magnetic Press are bringing a major international graphic novel to English-speaking audiences for the first time with Twin Lotuses. The release marks the North American debut of acclaimed Chinese artist Zhang Xiaoyu as both writer and artist, with the book set to arrive in spring 2026.
Originally published in China as Bìngdìlián and later in France as Lotus Jumeaux, Twin Lotuses blends historical drama with science fiction. The story follows an orphan known as Stink Head, whose life shifts when he meets Fan, an engineer who has created a remarkable clockwork automaton that performs in a local theater. As war spreads across the city, children struggle to survive under the control of local power brokers. Tensions rise when those figures take interest in the automaton and its mysterious presence, pulling Fan’s past into the spotlight and setting the stage for a dramatic collision of forces.
Magnetic Press Director of Publishing Mike Kennedy described the book as a striking combination of wartime storytelling and philosophical science fiction, comparing its tone to the work of Philip K. Dick. The narrative also introduces an American airman into the mix, adding another layer to an already volatile setting.
Zhang Xiaoyu brings decades of experience to the project, with prior work published internationally by companies such as Casterman and Glénat. His collaborations include projects with Guillaume Dorison and Cixin Liu, and his work has earned major honors, including top prizes at the China Animation and Comic Competition and France’s Golden Elephant Award.
The English-language edition of Twin Lotuses arrives as a 324-page hardcover, offering readers a chance to experience both Xiaoyu’s storytelling and his detailed artwork in one volume. The book is scheduled to hit bookstores on April 28, 2026, followed by a comic shop release on April 29.
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