First, a word from the publisher: Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones. The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it “a deadpan epic.”
Pros:
- The setting is an interesting fusion between high fantasy and modern technology
- The story plays with big ideas, from war crimes to the harm social institutions can inflict. The story also explores how ideas of good and evil are not as cut and dry as they may initially seem
- The art style is simple, but distinct
Cons:
- The main character comes of as a sort-of “manic pixie dream girl”
- The story definitely queer-baits. Two characters are clearly in love with one another, but never really get to express that love to each other (save for a scene or two of hand-holding at the end)
- Most of the truly evil deeds come from a single person
- I can’t help but wonder how the titular character had changed by the end of the story.
- Fairly or not, I can’t help but wonder whether the story’s previous life as a web-comic contributed to some of the story’s weaker / less cohesive elements This includes a large spoiler for the story, which can be read below.
Conclusion
There’s plenty to like about the story, and it’s a quick enough read that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. With that being said, the themes / messages of the story never coalesced to my satisfaction. Ultimately, if the premise sounds interesting to you it’s probably worth a read. If it doesn’t, or if you aren’t already a fan of the author, you can pretty safely pass on this one.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “One Punch Man,” by ONE
- “Strong Female Proagonist” by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Ostertag
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Spoiler Warning.
If Nimona is completely destroying and regenerating herself every time she transforms, how does she remember any of the characters she’s interacted with?
