Nimona: A Netflix Film, A Graphic Novel Kindle & comiXology

Nimona was first publsihed by Stevenson herself as a webcomic, which eventually grew into this fantastic 256 page graphic novel that earned recognition for being a finalist of the National Book Award! And although the graphic novel takes its name from the it's shapeshifting female protagonist, the story is not *really* about Nimona herself. It isn't really about protagonist Ballister Blackheart, once a hero in training and now the appointed villain, or his "nemesis" and the kingdom's champion Ambrosisus Goldenloin either. Rather, the story of Nimona - at it's heart - is about more than just good versus evil but the difference between good and just, nice and right, and the importance of intention. As Blackheart, now aided by the impulsive and massively destructive Nimona, endeavors to bring the injustices of the Insitution - the kingdom's version of the State Department and Department of Defense - to light and their "antics" soon reveal more than slightly sinister plots at the heart of the kingdom, the novel also reveals to each character the truth about themselves and the secrets held deep in their hearts. This graphic novel, at once whimsical and harrowing, pushes us to do the same and look inward, asking ourselves the question of whether or not we really are the people we *like* to believe we are, and are we ready to take the steps into becoming the people we're truly supposed to be?Slate reviewers said of Nimona, "[It's] [f]unny and vibrant. A kind of deadpan epic," and it's hard to describe the experience of the work in any other way (I also strongly recommend reading the reviews from the New York Times and the UK's the Independent). The never named fantasy realm the characters inhabit, with it's medieval setting and many anachronistic elements, also deepens the sense of...well, magic. The detailed choices of what looks modern by reader's perspective versus what remains in a more medieval style is really interesting, but doesn't distract and makes you want to know more about this world and dive deeper. In the same way, Stevenson tooled around with a number of stylistic options before deciding on the work that we see now, and in reading the bonus pages offered in the graphic novel you can see clearly how that choice impacts the action and movement present in each panel and our investment in the characters generating these actions. Color is another element which was obviously thought out carefully in the creation of Nimona. With Blackheart's and Goldenloin's names not only having color present in their names, but their designs being dark versus light to symbolically reinforce their positions as villain and hero - and then totally reject that cliché and turn it on it's head!Nimona is truly a work of art in both the visual and literary sense. Something that is gripping and tender and appropriate for all ages. Such an impressive and beautiful work.

Every second of this comic kept me laughing or entertained. I was glued to this book until the very end. Then I find out the comic writer is the creator of She-Ra and it makes sense why this is so goooooooddd.Premise:Shapeshifter Nimona becomes the sidekick to an evil villain. Together they will take down their corrupt government or die trying.

See this review and more at: http://idiosyncraticlibrary.comNoelle Stevenson's Nimona started out as an art school experiment, turned into a webcomic and after wild success, was published in the summer of 2015 and now finds itself as a finalist for the National Book Award. It's not hard to see why. Set in a strange kingdom that is one part medieval realm, one part high tech society and one part dystopian nightmare, Ms. Stevenson effortlessly mixes these disparate genres into an oddly familiar world that is full of contradictions and surprises.As a parent of a elementary school children and an adult who grew up in the 90s, graphic novels have generally been outside my orbit. Nimona caught my attention though. Featuring a tough, stocky girl, sprouting dragons wings, Nimona is a refreshing hero. Nimona appears out of nowhere in the lair of Supervillain Ballister Blackheart. A teenage girl clearly on her own, Nimona aspires to be Blackheart's sidekick and longs to help Blackheart battle Hero Ambrosius Goldenloin and the shadowy Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics that Goldenloin serves. At first Blackheart is dismissive, but when he discovers Nimona is powerful shapeshifter he decides to take a chance and employs her. What develops is a tale where the heroes aren't necessarily to good guys, the villains are not necessarily the bad, and a teenaged girl who likes pizza, soda, and zombie movies is also a powerful, frightening shapeshifter who is both impulsive and violent, but also loyal and brave.While the story is full of exciting scenes where Nimona and Blackheart break into the bank, blow up part of the Institute and fight both Goldenloin and the Institute guards, the meat of the story is in its relationships. A man of science, Blackheart's very beliefs are challenged by Nimona, a very powerful magical being, While Nimona brings youth and energy to Blackheart's plans, she is also impulsive and excessively violent, and needs Blackheart to guide her moral compass. Also pivotal, is the long relationship between Goldenloin and Blackheart, once best friends both turned out by the Institute to fill their respective roles as hero and villain. Instead of an empty adventure tale, Nimona has a beautiful resonance.While I thought the comic style of the graphic novel might be off putting or distracting, Ms. Stevenson's illustrations only strengthen her story. Wonderfully capturing the familiar gestures that are universal in teen body language, Nimona is no longer an unknown squire in an unknowable realm, but a relate-able girl, exploring the limits of her power, finding her strength and her humanity, and lounging on the furniture in an unending number of poses. Have a girl with a dragon heart? Introduce her to Nimona.

I was intrigued by this comic after watching the Netflix animated movie, and I have to say its just as entertaining and charming as it's counterpart!While it's true that both versions have different storylines, that's part of what makes them so unique and engaging.

I picked this up for my 8th grade homeschool student, since it is on the recommended reading lists and I wanted to add in something a bit more fun after the more traditional reads we've been covering.This is a well done graphic novel, which is easy to read and follow, and still, packs quite a bit of character development and messages. I'll admit that I wasn't sure how it'd work, but the fantasy end is well-fleshed out and adds a very nice touch. It's fun to read, packs lots of tension, some 'deeper' moments (without really going deep), and holds a very unexpected ending which leaves room for discussions and thought.Of course, it isn't the same level as something like Grapes of Wrath or Animal Farm, but it is a very nice addition, since it does grab and entertains without feeling as if there is much going on in the background.We enjoyed it quite a bit.