Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Title: Nimona.

Writer(s): Noelle Stevenson.
Illustrator(s): Noelle Stevenson.
Colourist(s): Noelle Stevenson.
Letterer(s): Noelle Stevenson.
Publisher: HarperTeen.

Format: Hardcover.
Release Date: May 12th, 2015.
Pages: 266.
Genre(s): Comics, Fantasy, Young-Adult.
ISBN13: 9780062278234.

My Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆.

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Can you identify a turning point in your life that changed you in a significant way?Different in so many ways from one individual to another, these moments define us in more ways than we could imagine. They deviate us onto a path that sometimes seem irredeemable and forges us into a person that we would never have thought to ever become in the first place. But what if we weren’t bound by these paths we set foot on?Following up on the critically acclaimed web comic developed by Noelle Stevenson, she debuts her comic book career with one of the most beloved stand-alone graphic novel that puts a spin of our definition of evil.

What is Nimona about? In a world where Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin is the hero of people and an enforcer of justice for the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, there is one villain driven by vengeance who goes by the name of Lord Ballister Blackheart. It is on one of surrepticious day that Nimona, a young and impulsive shapeshifter visits supervillain Lord Blackheart in hopes to be accepted as a merciless sidekick and begins a journey to prove the kingdom that the real villains of this world is none other than their golden-armoured hero and his corrupted institution.

Knowing that it all began as a web comic, there is not much surprise to see that comedy is at the heart of this adventure although it does explore other interesting themes that allow the story to develop in a direction towards redemption and forgiveness. To keep the suspense high till the end, Nimona’s past also serves as an excellent bait to keep you hooked as her shady past lures you into a dark world that will ultimately be at the center of all the chaos that is bound to occur in this story. While it is somewhat fascinating to see how Noelle Stevenson explores the morals of her characters and the ideas of good and evil, they remain predictable and far from being fresh and neverbeforeseen.

The unpolished artwork miraculously works in its favour and helps to convey its humour through absurd drawings and unexpected surprises. The colour tone keeps the overall tone lively and exciting but doesn’t do much more in terms of impact on story-telling. Nevertheless, it remains intriguing to see how Noelle Stevenson creates this fantasy world while hinting at some modern technology and modern settings, sort of like awkwardly funny anachronisms.

Nimona is a humourously delightful if not a bit ordinary tale of redemption and belonging.

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