School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 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

ALA Booklist (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

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.