IN AN UNNAMED fantasy kingdom, the villain in residence is Ballister Blackheart, formerly a good knight in training, who lost his arm in an accident. Heroes don't have mechanical prosthetics, so Ballister decides to do the logical thing and become a villain. And what villain doesn't benefit from a sidekick? Unannounced, Nimona arrives, a helpful, motivated shapeshifting girl who wants nothing more than to see Ballister's evil plans succeed. The first few pages of "Nimona" unfold pretty much as we'd expect: Ballister tries to wreak havoc; Nimona enthusiastically tries to help; things go horribly, comically wrong; Ballister's archnemesis/former friend, Ambrosius Goldenloin, appears to thwart them. But all is not as it seems in this assured graphic novel by Noelle Stevenson: Goldenloin answers not to a higher calling to do good, but to the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, a shadowy bureaucracy overseen by a flinty-eyed woman known only as the Director. The true motivations of the Director, and what she expects from Ballister and Goldenloin as a chosen Villain and Hero, are a mystery that slowly unravels, revealing a sinister purpose. Nimona herself is a fantastic character, cunning, cruel and funny. In one scene, she squirms impatiently on Ballister's desk while he attempts to decipher documents stolen from the Institution. Stevenson draws Nimona's impatience with verve and understanding. Drawing characters acting naturally is an important part of comics; too often characters pose stiffly while speaking their lines, disconnected from the emotion of their dialogue. Nimona's bored wiggling transforms her from a drawing to a person, a character worth rooting for and identifying with. As the story advances, it decompresses beautifully. Early on, it's almost gag-based, Nimona and Ballister quipping in jokey bursts, their exploits more goofy than threatening. Later, two pages are given to Nimona's transformation into a bird, as she flies to Ballister's faraway lair. The scene is nearly wordless, and it is appealingly done, expanding the world around Nimona and Ballister. Magic and science uneasily share the same space in "Nimona." Dark sorcery and magical creatures exist beside telecommunication view screens and rocket launchers. A scientist creates a green-glowing energy device, declaring that it is "the first step to reconciling science and magic." The tension is represented in the contrast between Ballister and Nimona, one a man of (evil) science, the other a purely magical being. Toward the end of the story, Nimona's abilities are given a scientific explanation, but she herself remains mysterious and ultimately unknowable. Ballister, not Nimona, is the character whose point of view we share, so the reader sees her through his eyes. In one scene, she is a terrifying inhuman shape, drawn in scribbly black with glowing red eyes. Soon enough Nimona's true powers come to light: She is monstrous, she is forceful. She is also a girl, and therefore she must be controlled. Here is where "Nimona" strikes hardest at stories like the Dark Phoenix saga that recycle the cliché of a woman with terrible powers who has to be conquered at all costs, lest she destroy us all. Stevenson has a different plot in mind, giving Nimona the best possible ending: freedom to choose her own fate. It is astonishing that "Nimona," which was originally serialized on the web, is Stevenson's first solo, full-length work. Her voice is clear and precise, her drawings confident, her use of color growing in depth and assurance as the story progresses. Stevenson's dedication ("To all the monster girls") hints at affection toward girls who might see themselves in Nimona: joyful and dangerous, maybe a little monstrous on bad days, ultimately the architects of their own destinies. FAITH ERIN HICKS is the author and illustrator of "Friends With Boys" and the Eisner Award-winning "The Adventures of Superhero Girl."

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 Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 7 Up-Imagine a future where technology meets medieval studies mashed with a bit of supernatural and government conspiracy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is determined to expose the despicable activities of the Institute of Law Enforcement, which is led by his former best friend, Sir Ambrose Goldenloin. Such a large undertaking requires not just any sidekick. Enter Nimona, a quick-witted, hilarious teen shape-shifter who has a knack for getting into and out of trouble. Ballister is resistant to take Nimona under his wing, but as the two become closer, Ballister realizes Nimona's mysterious past and inconsistent powers might be bigger and more dangerous than he ever imagined. Turning a graphic novel into a successful audiobook is no easy task. Images from the graphic novel are interpreted into original music to convey the action and emotion normally portrayed visually. Rebecca Soler, Jonathan Davis, and Marc Thompson narrate, providing the cast of characters with unique voices. Polished sound effects complement the action and chapter changes VERDICT This title offers a charming dose of auditory magic. It could easily be paired with the print book for reluctant readers and for those who want to see the illustrations while listening. A great addition to all collections. ["A vibrant solo work from "Lumberjanes" (Boom!) cocreator": SLJ 4/15 starred review of the HarperTeen book.]-Amanda -Schiavulli, Finger Lakes Library System, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2015 Booklist