I’m always on the lookout for great stories, and when I can find comics that have great stories and a unique look, I jump at the chance to read them. Enter Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona.

Lord Blackheart has been plotting. He’s the resident villain against the Institution and Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. And then Nimona shows up. And she won’t leave, to Blackheart’s consternation. She becomes his sidekick, and helps him realize things about his life he didn’t realize. And, because she’s a shapeshifter, she is too valuable as a sidekick for him to completely ignore.

And, when they determine that good isn’t really good and that the ‘evil’ side may actually be more sinister, Nimona and Blackheart try to alert the world and save people—but the Institute wants to pin all of the bad things they are doing on Blackheart, and begin an intense media campaign. And it becomes clear that Nimona (or rather, her shapeshifting abilities) are a threat to the very fabric that holds the Institute together.

Blackheart will need to choose—does he help his sidekick, Nimona, or does he try to save his old friend (and the one who chopped off his arm in a joust), Goldenloin?

Originally this was a web comic, but this grew, thanks to having an awesome story and really fantastic way of pulling you into the story. I had a really hard time reconciling my interest in reading it, with the concept I didn’t want to finish it.

I really loved the character development—Nimona was an easy love, but the development of Blackheart made me really feel for him, and think about the way things might have been. The good and bad were multifaceted.

Noelle Stevenson is a talented person, and I would think ANYONE interested in a tale with good writing and cute graphics would be interested in this book. It is seriously 266 pages of amazing story, including (as promised by the back cover):

Nemeses!
Dragons!
Science!
Symbolism!

I am so happy I was able to snag a copy from a signing at a local Barnes and Noble, and I think you should pick up a copy from your favorite retailer. It is available in ebook, trade paperback and hardcover!