Urbance Manga Campaign Live to Fund 828-Page Graphic Novel

The Urbance graphic novel is an 828-page story, much longer than a typical comic.
By Newsroom | Comics, Crowdfunding |

As of 20/05/2026, a crowdfunding campaign for the manga-style series Urbance is live, managed by Oni Press and Magnetic Press. The project translates the aesthetic of Joël Dos Reis Viegas’s 2015 animated short film into an 828-page graphic narrative.

Core tension: A viral society segregated by gender, destabilized by the introduction of a substance called N-Dorphin.

Structural Breakdown of the Narrative

The plot follows two central characters, Kenzell and Lesya, who breach the strict social partitions of Neopolis. The world-building relies on:

  • A foundational virus rendering physical intimacy between genders lethal.

  • State-enforced separation and indoctrination into mutual hatred.

  • The entry of N-Dorphin, a substance bypassing the virus's effects, causing power vacuums and paranoia.

FormatContent Details
Softcover4-volume set, 6x9", black-and-white art with color openings.
Deluxe2-volume limited hardcover collection with slipcases.
Extras10th-anniversary Genesis of Urbance art book, resin statues, sketchbooks.

Technical Background and Artistic Scope

The series functions as an iteration of Romeo & Juliet tropes within a dense, cyberpunk framework. Viegas, a veteran art director for properties such as Batman: Arkham Origins and Godzilla, frames this work as a synthesis of his personal anxieties regarding identity, fashion, and social isolation.

  • The production values lean into the "kinetic" and "experimental" stylistic hallmarks identified in his previous film work.

  • Previous iterations of the series have been released via Ankama, but the current Magnetic/Oni push serves as a comprehensive "complete" anthology of the material.

  • The thematic focus remains on the "contraception" of human connection: a society where the fundamental freedom to love is a biological transgression.

The campaign currently offers various tiers for physical acquisition, marking a shift from the project's roots as a standalone animated short to a massive, multi-format print endeavor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Urbance graphic novel crowdfunding campaign?
Oni Press and Magnetic Press have started a crowdfunding campaign for an 828-page graphic novel called Urbance. It is based on a 2015 animated short film.
Q: When does the Urbance graphic novel crowdfunding campaign end?
The crowdfunding campaign for the Urbance graphic novel is live as of May 20, 2026. The exact end date was not provided in the details.
Q: What is the story of the Urbance graphic novel?
Urbance is set in Neopolis, a city where a virus makes contact between genders deadly. The story follows Kenzell and Lesya as they try to break the city's strict rules, especially after a new substance called N-Dorphin appears.
Q: What formats can I get the Urbance graphic novel in?
You can get the Urbance graphic novel as a 4-volume softcover set or a limited 2-volume deluxe hardcover collection. There are also extras like an art book and statues available.
Q: Who made the Urbance graphic novel?
The graphic novel is based on the work of Joël Dos Reis Viegas, who also worked on Batman: Arkham Origins. Oni Press and Magnetic Press are managing the current crowdfunding campaign.