Review by New York Times Review
IN AN UNNAMED fantasy kingdom, the villain in residence is Ballister Blackheart, formerly a good knight in training, who lost his arm in an accident. Heroes don't have mechanical prosthetics, so Ballister decides to do the logical thing and become a villain. And what villain doesn't benefit from a sidekick? Unannounced, Nimona arrives, a helpful, motivated shapeshifting girl who wants nothing more than to see Ballister's evil plans succeed. The first few pages of "Nimona" unfold pretty much as we'd expect: Ballister tries to wreak havoc; Nimona enthusiastically tries to help; things go horribly, comically wrong; Ballister's archnemesis/former friend, Ambrosius Goldenloin, appears to thwart them. But all is not as it seems in this assured graphic novel by Noelle Stevenson: Goldenloin answers not to a higher calling to do good, but to the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, a shadowy bureaucracy overseen by a flinty-eyed woman known only as the Director. The true motivations of the Director, and what she expects from Ballister and Goldenloin as a chosen Villain and Hero, are a mystery that slowly unravels, revealing a sinister purpose. Nimona herself is a fantastic character, cunning, cruel and funny. In one scene, she squirms impatiently on Ballister's desk while he attempts to decipher documents stolen from the Institution. Stevenson draws Nimona's impatience with verve and understanding. Drawing characters acting naturally is an important part of comics; too often characters pose stiffly while speaking their lines, disconnected from the emotion of their dialogue. Nimona's bored wiggling transforms her from a drawing to a person, a character worth rooting for and identifying with. As the story advances, it decompresses beautifully. Early on, it's almost gag-based, Nimona and Ballister quipping in jokey bursts, their exploits more goofy than threatening. Later, two pages are given to Nimona's transformation into a bird, as she flies to Ballister's faraway lair. The scene is nearly wordless, and it is appealingly done, expanding the world around Nimona and Ballister. Magic and science uneasily share the same space in "Nimona." Dark sorcery and magical creatures exist beside telecommunication view screens and rocket launchers. A scientist creates a green-glowing energy device, declaring that it is "the first step to reconciling science and magic." The tension is represented in the contrast between Ballister and Nimona, one a man of (evil) science, the other a purely magical being. Toward the end of the story, Nimona's abilities are given a scientific explanation, but she herself remains mysterious and ultimately unknowable. Ballister, not Nimona, is the character whose point of view we share, so the reader sees her through his eyes. In one scene, she is a terrifying inhuman shape, drawn in scribbly black with glowing red eyes. Soon enough Nimona's true powers come to light: She is monstrous, she is forceful. She is also a girl, and therefore she must be controlled. Here is where "Nimona" strikes hardest at stories like the Dark Phoenix saga that recycle the cliché of a woman with terrible powers who has to be conquered at all costs, lest she destroy us all. Stevenson has a different plot in mind, giving Nimona the best possible ending: freedom to choose her own fate. It is astonishing that "Nimona," which was originally serialized on the web, is Stevenson's first solo, full-length work. Her voice is clear and precise, her drawings confident, her use of color growing in depth and assurance as the story progresses. Stevenson's dedication ("To all the monster girls") hints at affection toward girls who might see themselves in Nimona: joyful and dangerous, maybe a little monstrous on bad days, ultimately the architects of their own destinies. FAITH ERIN HICKS is the author and illustrator of "Friends With Boys" and the Eisner Award-winning "The Adventures of Superhero Girl."
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [July 12, 2015]
Review by Booklist Review
Ballister Blackheart is just minding his nefarious business when red-haired, shapeshifting Nimona, a bad-gal-in-training and would-be sidekick, handily infiltrates his den of villainy. He is initially reluctant to take her on, but it's tough to say no when she is a shark. Nimona doesn't have the patience for Blackheart's rule-following method of villainy, and she quickly shakes things up with some chaotic mayhem. As Nimona battles her way into Blackheart's good graces, he begins poking around in her past, which is something she abhors. Stevenson gleefully plays with classic sword-and-sorcery tropes, adding some mad science for good measure, but it's her depiction of the impish Nimona that really shines. The irrepressible minivillain is a tyrant, for sure, but Stevenson's cartoonish full-color illustrations give her such wide-eyed innocence and gleeful facial expressions that it's hard not to love her, even when she is blowing up buildings. Packed with spot-on comedic timing and heartening relationships, this is perfect for readers who prefer their adventures rollickingly clever. Fans of the original webcomic will be delighted by the print-only epilogue.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Stevenson's funny, smart, and provocative graphic novel (which originated as a webcomic), a gentlemanly clash between rivals is disrupted when an energetic shapeshifter raises the stakes with her predilection for violence. Set in a medieval-meets-modern fantasy kingdom, the story begins when Nimona offers her services to Lord Ballister Blackheart, banished evil genius and friend-turned-nemesis of Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, champion of the powerful Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. Through Nimona's influence, Ballister's tepid schemes graduate into deadly and destructive plots, forcing the Institution to respond with drastic measures that reveal its own nefarious leanings. Initially poking fun at hero and villain stereotypes ("You can't just go around murdering people. There are rules, Nimona," Ballister tells the pierced, pink-haired shapeshifter after she suggests a bloody public execution of the king), Stevenson's tale presents a nuanced view of morality while offering thoughtful comment on friendship and individuality. Sharp visuals, a nifty amalgam of fantasy and science fiction elements, and relationships drawn with complexity, wit, and depth create a world worth returning to again and again. Ages 13-up. Agent: Charlie Olsen, Inkwell Management. (May)? © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
When Ballister Blackheart runs up against Ambrosius Goldenloin, you think you know which side is good and righteous. But it's much more complicated. And when young shape-shifting Nimona partners with Ballister to add her own brand of chaos, we're in for a loopy ride both hilarious and poignant. Marketed to teens, the story captivates on multiple age levels, the younger delighting in the goofball action and the more mature savoring character depth and plot subtleties. Ballister is revealed as a heroic villain and Ambrosius as a shifty hero, while their friendship-turned-rivalry-turned-partnership against the nefarious Institution works both as bromance and as something more. For her part, Nimona shape-shifts effortlessly, thematically not just bodily, from abused child to chthonic force to symbol of mettle-testing crisis. Stevenson's (Lumberjanes) angular, stylish color art, with hand-lettered text, relishes the wackiness of a sword-and-sorcery kingdom incorporating both fantasy and sf elements. VERDICT A masterpiece of picaresque drama, the story, like Nimona herself, morphs unexpectedly from charming silliness through epic adventure into clever satire and finally to Godzilla-league horror. [Longlisted for the National Book Award.-Ed.]-M.C. © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-This celebrated webcomic, a mash-up of medieval culture with modern science and technology, is now available in print. Lord Ballister Blackheart, a knight, has assumed the role of a supervillain in order to expose the nefarious schemes of the kingdom's front organization, The Institute of Law Enforcement. The kingdom's champion is Lord Blackheart's nemesis and former best friend, Sir Ambrose Goldenloin. Blackheart's prickly relationship with Goldenloin further explores the limits of their friendship. Enter the title character, a brash young shapeshifter who doggedly follows Ballister until he agrees to take her on as a sidekick. Nimona's skills as a shapeshifter up the ante in the ongoing rivalry between Ambrose and Ballister. Despite her anger management issues, the teen becomes Ballister's invaluable ally and together they form an alliance of mutual trust and dependence. Action scenes dominate as Nimona shifts with Hulk-like ferocity from frightful creatures such as a fire-breathing dragon to a docile cat or a timid child. Dialogue is fresh and witty with an abundance of clever lines. A complementary color palette of Blackheart's muddy browns contrasts with Goldenloin's fresh transparent yellow-greens. Both color schemes highlight Nimona's intense reds. Readers will note subtle visual differences in webcomic images. The print edition includes an exclusive epilogue not available online. At its core, Nimona is a story of rescue. Each of the main characters rescue allies, friendships, the Kingdom, and ultimately, themselves. VERDICT A vibrant solo work from "Lumberjanes" (Boom!) cocreator.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Ballister Blackheart -- ex-knight and current supervillain -- is focused on the destruction of the Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics. He also wouldnt mind getting even with Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, a knight-school acquaintance who shot off Blackhearts right arm. Just as Blackhearts plans are coming to fruition, plucky young shapeshifter Nimona shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his new sidekick (the Agency sent me). As effective an accomplice as Nimona turns out to be, Blackheart, who finds killing vulgar, must rein in her powers due to her blas attitude about human life and her great love for all things explosive. Stevensons setting -- a medieval-type kingdom mixed with futuristic scienceand zombie movies on TV -- entertainingly tweaks both the science-fiction and fantasy genres, while her unpolished artistic style creates a dangerous mood with a hint of adventure. (The series started as a webcomic, and some of the graphic novel panels can be cramped and a little hard to read.) The character of Nimona, illustrated as a punked-out female, is quick to anger, carelessly violent, and uninterested in the morals of revolution; shes beautifully flawed and refreshingly unstereotypical in a book that is both darkly witty and surprisingly touching. And Nimona is a protagonist to both love and fear. sin gaetano(c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A not-so-bad villain fighting against a not-so-good hero teams up with a spunky shape-shifting heroine in a cleverly envisioned world.Nimona, a plucky, punk-tressed girl, is determined to be the sidekick of the nefarious (in name only) Ballister Blackheart, the sworn enemy of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics and their sporran-sporting champion, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Blackheart, intrigued by Nimona's moxie and ability to shape-shift, takes her on, and the two decide they're going to take down the Institution. Nimona and Blackheart learn that the supposedly benevolent Institution has been hoarding a great quantity of a poisonous plant, jaderoot. As they delve deeper into its inner workings, they soon find that the lines that separate good and evil aren't simply black and white. Stevenson's world is fascinating: an anachronistic marvel that skillfully juxtaposes modern conventions against a medieval backdrop. Imbued with humor, her characters are wonderfully quirky and play with many of the archetypes found in comics. The relationships among her characters are complex and compelling: for an antihero, Blackheart dislikes killing and mayhem, while Goldenloin is not averse to cheating and trickery. Stevenson's portrayal of the relationship between good and evil is particularly ingenious, as is her attention to detail and adroit worldbuilding. If you're going to read one graphic novel this year, make it this one. (Graphic fantasy. 13 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
