Nimona is a shapeshifter who offers her services as a sidekick to the villain Lord Ballister Blackheart, whose quarrel with the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics and their champion, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, is legendary across the kingdom. When their first foray into villainy as a team goes sideways, Lord Ballister quickly realizes that there's more to Nimona than meets the eye, especially when it comes to her murky past and her powers. Nimona and her abilities also attract the attention of the Institution, especially when she uncovers some of their nefarious doings and she and Ballister use them to their advantage. But as Ballister and Nimona hurtle towards their final showdown with the Institution, their friendship is tested as he tries to understand her better while also protecting her from the Institution. As the inside flap copy says, "Explosions will be involved. Science and sharks will be, too." And that is the truth.
I loved Nimona. Originally published as a webcomic (see http://www.gingerhaze.com/nimona), it starts off as almost silly and fun before moving towards a darker story with a deeper meaning. I loved that Noelle Stevenson (also the writer of the awesome comic Lumberjanes, which I will totally get around to reading beyond the first issue someday) plays a bit with the good vs. evil archetype. Ballister is not your typical villain, despite being portrayed to the rest of the kingdom as such, and Ambrosius and the Institution (especially the Institution) aren't exactly heroes either. She makes a point about nothing ever being that black and white, while also skewering traditional capes-and-tights comics a bit, too. So be like Ballister and accept Nimona into your life. You'll be glad you did.
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