The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."
Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.
Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies …
From the Publisher:
A National Book Award Longlist Title
The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."
Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.
Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.
But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.
I watched the movie first with no foreknowledge of what the source material was, the universe, anything.
I found that I much preferred the book's handling of the core characters and events in the story.
It is a bit more dark than the movie, while also giving a better peek into how ridiculous some of the character's personalities and motivations really are, even in-universe.
I think the movie handled the chaotic aspect of Nimoa herself quite well visually.
A lot more interesting then I initially expected, this book (like many I've read recently) was a pretty fast read. But completely unlike many of the other fast reads I've been digesting this one packed some real punch. Stevenson clearly had a very clear idea of what she was setting out to do when she produced Nimona and it shows through beautifully.
As someone who studies strong female characters, Nimona is a superb example of what these women can be. Unlike what some Hollywood blockbusters will tell you, strong female characters do not need to be mary sues. They are allowed to get things wrong, they are allowed to not be motherly, they are allowed to learn from men and they are most certainly allowed to have people not like them!
Reading through this graphic novel I cannot tell you just how excited I was as I watched the relationship …
A lot more interesting then I initially expected, this book (like many I've read recently) was a pretty fast read. But completely unlike many of the other fast reads I've been digesting this one packed some real punch. Stevenson clearly had a very clear idea of what she was setting out to do when she produced Nimona and it shows through beautifully.
As someone who studies strong female characters, Nimona is a superb example of what these women can be. Unlike what some Hollywood blockbusters will tell you, strong female characters do not need to be mary sues. They are allowed to get things wrong, they are allowed to not be motherly, they are allowed to learn from men and they are most certainly allowed to have people not like them!
Reading through this graphic novel I cannot tell you just how excited I was as I watched the relationship between Nimona and Blackheart really develop. Not only because it was clearly platonic, but because of the ways in which they learn from each other. Nimona is clearly apprenticed to Blackheart, but they both learn and grow through the experience of knowing each other.
And boy does their relationship take them to some pretty interesting places. Commenting on everything from the bodies of women in comics to the nature of good and evil, Stevenson seems unafraid of anything. This story was completely unlike anything I have ever read before.
In a genre that is rife with cliche, Stevenson creates fully fleshed out characters that turn the tropes on their head. Despite the lack of similarities I couldn't help but be reminded of Game Of Thrones, because the inspiration behind them feels very similar to me. That is, to reinvent the fantasy genre. But instead of relying on the grim and cynical (which has become a cliche in and of itself) Stevenson has produced something simple, appropriate for all ages and humerus.
Because despite all the commentary on gender, sexuality and government, Nimona was also just a fun read. The plot is certainly not as complicated or convoluted as Game of Thrones, but it is fast and the character pulled me in from page 1. And even if the art style is a bit rough in places, the style and character designs really reflect the strange melding of magic and technology and pure fun that come together within these covers.
