Graphic Novel Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Published May 12th 2015 by Harper Collins

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.

I've reading lots of comics and graphic novels lately and goodreads recommended me Nimoma. I don't know how I somehow missed this one last year, but I'm glad I read it and enjoyed it so much!

Nimona is a fun shapeshifter who wants to be a villain. So she goes to Ballister Blackheart, the super villain of the town, to be his sidekick. Ballister might not be a hero, but he isn't your typical villain. But together they are almost invincible and they will prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, the hero of the town and the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't as good as everyone thinks they are.

I loved Nimona since the beginning, she was fun and childish, but a little bit evil. She wasn't a stereotype (you wont find those in this novel) and was the perfect companion for Ballister Blackheart, a serious and evil-but-not-so-evil man.

This story started very light, just fun interactions. But then it got deeper, exploring the characters pasts and their motives to be evil. It was a surprise to find such rich characters in what I thought was going to be only a fun novel, but it caught my attention and I could't stop reading. How could I? There were dragons, magic vs science, fights, cats, friendship and even a gay relationship.

Overall, if you want a fun but deep and heartwarming story, I strongly recommend you to read Nimona. It was amazing!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.