Magnetic Press and Oni Press will release Twin Lotuses, a 324-page graphic novel by Chinese cartoonist Zhang Xiaoyu, in April 2026, marking the artist’s first original work to be published in English.
Originally published in China as Bìngdìlián and later in France as Lotus Jumeaux, the book is both written and illustrated by Zhang and is described as a standalone steampunk drama set in World War II-era China. The English edition will be released on April 14, 2026 in bookstores and April 15 in comic shops. It will be published as a hardcover priced at $29.99. Magnetic Press’ Director of Publishing, Mike Kennedy, says:
“Masterfully mixing a snapshot of war-torn China with the philosophical sci-fi questions of a Philip K. Dick novel, TWIN LOTUSES is a beautifully illustrated story capturing an ugly time and the flicker of hope, love, and ambition that shone through it all.”
Story
TWIN LOTUSES follows a Chinese orphan known as Stink Head, whose life changes forever when he befriends Fan, a Chinese engineer who built an extraordinary clockwork automaton that performs at a local theater. Meanwhile, war rages throughout the city, and orphaned children run wild under the direction of local potentates in an attempt to thrive and survive. When those potentates take notice of the mysterious beauty at the theater, suspicions and desires start to grow, and Fan’s history with his invention comes into heartbreaking focus. Mix in an American airman and the tensions of war, and things build to an explosive finale.
You can see some of the pages below:
About the Creator
Zhang Xiaoyu, born in 1975 in Guizhou Province, began his comics career in the mid-1990s and has published more than a dozen works internationally. His art has appeared through major European publishers including Casterman, Glénat, and Humanoids, and he has received top prizes from both the China Animation and Comic Competition and France’s Golden Elephant Award. His past collaborations include work with Guillaume Dorison (Crusades) and Cixin Liu (The Village Teacher).
Release Format
- Title: Twin Lotuses
- Written and Illustrated by: Zhang Xiaoyu
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 324 pages
- Price: $29.99 USD
- Bookstore Release: April 14, 2026
- Comic Shop Release: April 15, 2026
Twin Lotuses is the latest in Magnetic Press’s international publishing catalog, which includes graphic novels and art books curated from creators worldwide. Updates will be shared through Magnetic Press’ website and social media channels.
Source: Press Release
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