Books › Nimona
Nimona
272 pages
A chaotic, subversive fantasy romp that lures you in with deadpan humor before breaking your heart with its profound emotional depth.
What it feels like
Reading this graphic novel feels like being tricked in the best possible way. It opens as a brisk, irreverent comedy about a grumpy supervillain and his chaotic, shapeshifting sidekick, full of snappy dialogue and deadpan subversions of classic fantasy tropes. The artwork is kinetic and expressive, matching the playful, anarchic energy of the early chapters. But as the pages turn, the bright, chaotic mood slowly gives way to something much darker and more profound. The narrative deepens, pulling you into a poignant exploration of trauma, institutional corruption, and the monstrous labels society forces upon the misunderstood. It is a story that delights with its sharp wit and found-family warmth, only to leave you breathless with a surprisingly devastating, bittersweet emotional climax. Perfect for anyone who loves their fantasy tropes turned upside down and their antiheroes fiercely lovable.
- Mood
- playful
- chaotic
- bittersweet
- poignant
- Tone
- irreverent
- deadpan
- subversive
- heartfelt
- witty
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- found family · moral ambiguity · trauma and monstrousness · institutional corruption · queer identity
- The writing
- The dialogue is snappy, modern, and deadpan, paired with expressive, kinetic artwork that carries immense emotional weight.
- The arc
- Begins as a hilarious, chaotic romp of villainy and deepens into a heartbreaking exploration of trauma, betrayal, and unconditional love.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love subversive fantasy tropes, chaotic antiheroes, and stories that sneak up on them with devastating emotional depth.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- trauma
- institutional betrayal
- mild body horror
About the book
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.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Nimona
See why they match
Lumberjanes Vol. 1N.D. StevensonA chaotic, punk-rock summer camp adventure fueled by supernatural mysteries and fierce, unapologetic girl power.
Lumberjanes Vol. 2Grace EllisA chaotic, joyful celebration of hardcore lady-types fighting monsters and fiercely loving their friends.
SteelheartBrandon SandersonA high-octane, cinematic thrill ride where ordinary humans use clever tactics to hunt down invincible, corrupted gods.
RenegadesMarissa MeyerA cinematic thrill ride fueled by secret identities, shifting allegiances, and the delicious tension of falling for the enemy.
Descender, Vol. 3Jeff LemireA melancholic, beautifully painted journey into the fragile memories and hidden scars of a fractured found family.
SuperMutant Magic AcademyJillian TamakiA deadpan, magical-realist snapshot of the agonizing, hilarious boredom of being a teenager.