Starred review from March 23, 2015
In Stevenson’s funny, smart, and provocative graphic novel (which originated as a webcomic), a gentlemanly clash between rivals is disrupted when an energetic shapeshifter raises the stakes with her predilection for violence. Set in a medieval-meets-modern fantasy kingdom, the story begins when Nimona offers her services to Lord Ballister Blackheart, banished evil genius and friend-turned-nemesis of Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, champion
of the powerful Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. Through Nimona’s influence, Ballister’s tepid schemes graduate into deadly and destructive plots, forcing the Institution to respond with drastic measures that reveal its own nefarious leanings. Initially poking fun at hero and villain stereotypes (“You can’t just go around murdering people. There are rules, Nimona,” Ballister tells the pierced, pink-haired shapeshifter after she suggests a bloody public execution of
the king), Stevenson’s tale presents a nuanced view of morality while offering thoughtful comment on friendship and individuality. Sharp visuals, a nifty amalgam of fantasy and science fiction elements, and relationships drawn with complexity, wit, and depth create a world worth returning to again and again. Ages 13–up. Agent: Charlie Olsen, Inkwell Management. (May)■

November 15, 2015

When Ballister Blackheart runs up against Ambrosius Goldenloin, you think you know which side is good and righteous. But it's much more complicated. And when young shape-shifting Nimona partners with Ballister to add her own brand of chaos, we're in for a loopy ride both hilarious and poignant. Marketed to teens, the story captivates on multiple age levels, the younger delighting in the goofball action and the more mature savoring character depth and plot subtleties. Ballister is revealed as a heroic villain and Ambrosius as a shifty hero, while their friendship-turned-rivalry-turned-partnership against the nefarious Institution works both as bromance and as something more. For her part, Nimona shape-shifts effortlessly, thematically not just bodily, from abused child to chthonic force to symbol of mettle-testing crisis. Stevenson's (Lumberjanes) angular, stylish color art, with hand-lettered text, relishes the wackiness of a sword-and-sorcery kingdom incorporating both fantasy and sf elements. VERDICT A masterpiece of picaresque drama, the story, like Nimona herself, morphs unexpectedly from charming silliness through epic adventure into clever satire and finally to Godzilla-league horror. [Longlisted for the National Book Award.--Ed.]--M.C.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-This celebrated webcomic, a mash-up of medieval culture with modern science and technology, is now available in print. Lord Ballister Blackheart, a knight, has assumed the role of a supervillain in order to expose the nefarious schemes of the kingdom's front organization, The Institute of Law Enforcement. The kingdom's champion is Lord Blackheart's nemesis and former best friend, Sir Ambrose Goldenloin. Blackheart's prickly relationship with Goldenloin further explores the limits of their friendship. Enter the title character, a brash young shapeshifter who doggedly follows Ballister until he agrees to take her on as a sidekick. Nimona's skills as a shapeshifter up the ante in the ongoing rivalry between Ambrose and Ballister. Despite her anger management issues, the teen becomes Ballister's invaluable ally and together they form an alliance of mutual trust and dependence. Action scenes dominate as Nimona shifts with Hulk-like ferocity from frightful creatures such as a fire-breathing dragon to a docile cat or a timid child. Dialogue is fresh and witty with an abundance of clever lines. A complementary color palette of Blackheart's muddy browns contrasts with Goldenloin's fresh transparent yellow-greens. Both color schemes highlight Nimona's intense reds. Readers will note subtle visual differences in webcomic images. The print edition includes an exclusive epilogue not available online. At its core, Nimona is a story of rescue. Each of the main characters rescue allies, friendships, the Kingdom, and ultimately, themselves. VERDICT A vibrant solo work from "Lumberjanes" (Boom!) cocreator.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2015
A not-so-bad villain fighting against a not-so-good hero teams up with a spunky shape-shifting heroine in a cleverly envisioned world.Nimona, a plucky, punk-tressed girl, is determined to be the sidekick of the nefarious (in name only) Ballister Blackheart, the sworn enemy of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics and their sporran-sporting champion, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Blackheart, intrigued by Nimona's moxie and ability to shape-shift, takes her on, and the two decide they're going to take down the Institution. Nimona and Blackheart learn that the supposedly benevolent Institution has been hoarding a great quantity of a poisonous plant, jaderoot. As they delve deeper into its inner workings, they soon find that the lines that separate good and evil aren't simply black and white. Stevenson's world is fascinating: an anachronistic marvel that skillfully juxtaposes modern conventions against a medieval backdrop. Imbued with humor, her characters are wonderfully quirky and play with many of the archetypes found in comics. The relationships among her characters are complex and compelling: for an antihero, Blackheart dislikes killing and mayhem, while Goldenloin is not averse to cheating and trickery. Stevenson's portrayal of the relationship between good and evil is particularly ingenious, as is her attention to detail and adroit worldbuilding. If you're going to read one graphic novel this year, make it this one. (Graphic fantasy. 13 & up)

April 15, 2015
Grades 7-10 Ballister Blackheart is just minding his nefarious business when red-haired, shapeshifting Nimona, a bad-gal-in-training and would-be sidekick, handily infiltrates his den of villainy. He is initially reluctant to take her on, but it's tough to say no when she is a shark. Nimona doesn't have the patience for Blackheart's rule-following method of villainy, and she quickly shakes things up with some chaotic mayhem. As Nimona battles her way into Blackheart's good graces, he begins poking around in her past, which is something she abhors. Stevenson gleefully plays with classic sword-and-sorcery tropes, adding some mad science for good measure, but it's her depiction of the impish Nimona that really shines. The irrepressible minivillain is a tyrant, for sure, but Stevenson's cartoonish full-color illustrations give her such wide-eyed innocence and gleeful facial expressions that it's hard not to love her, even when she is blowing up buildings. Packed with spot-on comedic timing and heartening relationships, this is perfect for readers who prefer their adventures rollickingly clever. Fans of the original webcomic will be delighted by the print-only epilogue.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2015
Ballister Blackheart -- ex-knight and current supervillain -- is focused on the destruction of the Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics. He also wouldn't mind getting even with Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, a knight-school acquaintance who shot off Blackheart's right arm. Just as Blackheart's plans are coming to fruition, plucky young shapeshifter Nimona shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his new sidekick ( the Agency sent me ). As effective an accomplice as Nimona turns out to be, Blackheart, who finds killing vulgar, must rein in her powers due to her blase attitude about human life and her great love for all things explosive. Stevenson's setting -- a medieval-type kingdom mixed with futuristic scienceand zombie movies on TV -- entertainingly tweaks both the science-fiction and fantasy genres, while her unpolished artistic style creates a dangerous mood with a hint of adventure. (The series started as a webcomic, and some of the graphic novel panels can be cramped and a little hard to read.) The character of Nimona, illustrated as a punked-out female, is quick to anger, carelessly violent, and uninterested in the morals of revolution; she's beautifully flawed and refreshingly unstereotypical in a book that is both darkly witty and surprisingly touching. And Nimona is a protagonist to both love and fear. sian gaetano

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2015
Ballister Blackheart (ex-knight and current supervillain) gets a new sidekick: plucky shapeshifter Nimona. Although Nimona proves an effective accomplice, Blackheart must rein in her powers due to her blasi attitude about human life and love of explosives. This webcomic-cum-graphic-novel's setting--a medieval-type kingdom mixed with futuristic science--entertainingly tweaks both the science-fiction and fantasy genres. Nimona is a beautifully flawed, refreshingly unstereotypical protagonist.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

"[ND] Stevenson has a knack for capturing the humor and heart in a situation in just a few panels." — Adelaide Advertiser

"If you're going to read one graphic novel this year, make it this one." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sharp visuals, a nifty amalgam of fantasy and science fiction elements, and relationships drawn with complexity, wit, and depth create a world worth returning to again and again." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"At its core, Nimona is a story of rescue. Each of the main characters rescue allies, friendships, the Kingdom, and ultimately, themselves... A vibrant solo work." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"[Stevenson's] voice is clear and precise, [his] drawings confident, [his] use of color growing in depth and assurance as the story progresses." — New York Times

"Nimona...is beautifully flawed and refreshingly unstereotypical in a book that is both darkly witty and surprisingly touching. And Nimona is a protagonist to both love and fear." — The Horn Book

"Over the course of the collected Nimona, it's possible to watch artist [ND] Stevenson blossom from a student to a superstar." — NPR.org

"Nimona, with all her flaws, breaks away completely from what women are allowed to be in popular fiction." — Vanity Fair

"Graphic novel fans will finish the book in a gallop and then want to start right back at the first page." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"Awesome and adorable." — Ryan North, author of Dinosaur Comics

"Funny and vibrant, with wonderful energy in Stevenson's illustrations and a wicked wit in [his] storytelling." — Slate

"Those of you who haven't read Nimona yet are lucky, because you can buy the fantasy comic in book form instead of waiting for [ND] to post an update twice a week. Seriously, that wait was always excruciating." — Kirkus Reviews