Netflix's upcoming adaptation of the Nebula Award-nominated Nimona rescued the Blue Sky Studios movie from being eternally trapped in development hell. With ND Stevenson's graphic novel now prepped for launch next spring, fans of Netflix and the webcomic-turned-graphic novel would do well to brush up on the animated adaptation's original protagonists: Nimona and Blackheart.
Strangely named after the sidekick of the novel's main villain, Nimona focuses on Nimona, a mysterious shapeshifter/sidekick and Ballister Blackheart, the villain of the vaguely steampunk kingdom in which they reside. The limited visuals from the movie promise faithful adaptations of Stevenson's character designs, and plot leaks promise that the plot, especially the relationship element, remains intact and upfront. Whether you're a newcomer interested in the story of Nimona and its controversial cancellation or a fan who just hasn't picked up the text in a while, the following guide should serve as a quick point of reference for how to review the graphic novel and its major characterizations and plot points without spoiling the text as a whole.
Who is Nimona?
Nimona is introduced in the very first panel of her eponymous comic. As enigmatic in her first panel as her last, the young woman begins by lying to Blackheart as to her purpose in his lab, but her abilities to morph into the shapes of her choice quickly change his mind. Throughout the comic, her conflicts with Blackheart are either based in her dishonesty and intentional ignorance of her past or in her constant insistence on violence and malevolence. Her take-charge attitude often leads to Blackheart's questioning whether she is the sidekick or the villain.
Speaking of which, it is well worth noting that Nimona is the protagonist of the text, but hardly the good guy. Her actions alongside Blackheart are meant to emphasize his role as a villain in the kingdom. Her powers are more often used for evil than for good. Of these powers, Nimona's are apparently far different from other shapeshifters of the magical world in which she resides. Blackheart brings up the fact that her abilities don't fit in their world, and readers slowly learn that Nimona's place in the world of the narrative is far different from what she first seemed to be.
Who is Ballister Blackheart?
The other protagonist of the narrative is Ballister Blackheart, the villain of the kingdom in which the narrative takes place. Like much of the narrative, Blackheart is meant to represent a plethora of tropes. In his case, Blackheart is a scarred, evil scientist who lives in a dark castle at the end of the kingdom. Even his hair is a dark black to the hero of the kingdom's golden, flowing locks. From a history of evil hordes to undead legions under his control at some point, Blackheart has accomplished nearly every villain trope, even though he lost every single time. Unlike some villains, though, Blackheart is hardly one-dimensional, much like the new version of the X-Men's Mister Sinister.
The villain sports a brilliant mind and excellent tactical abilities which put him far and above the Institution that he was previously part of. No small part of his tactical knowledge is due to his knowledge of the internal operations of the Institution. In addition to his mind and the awe-inspiring tech and chemical weapons he can create from it, Blackheart sports a steel arm à la The Winter Soldier due to his being attacked by the Institution's hero, Ambrosius Goldenloin. His vengeful streak is one of the through lines of the text, and his abilities, physical and mental, help him to further his mission of vengeance.
Essential Nimona Reading
Given that Nimona is a single novel, the reading for the characters is rather limited. However, there are a few chapters within the text which help to outline the characters and their traumas and powers. For Nimona, these chapters are often revelatory of what she had to undergo to become who she is in the text, but the straightforward chapters often are backtracked on and reveal little about who the character is beyond an unreliable narrator. For that reason, most chapters must be taken with what they reveal about Nimona via implication.
Chapter One
Naturally, the first chapter of Nimona introduces the character and gives a general outline of her motivations and powers. First published as a webcomic, this chapter accomplishes three major things. Firstly, it establishes that Nimona is capable of shapeshifting, both partially and entirely. Her trademark look carries throughout the novel and is established here, as well.
Second, it establishes that Nimona is interested in Blackheart's villainy and wishes to become a villain in her own rights. It demonstrates her hatred for the systems in place and how they operate. Finally, the villainous demonstrations of this chapter show Nimona is determined to act against the Institution as best she can, one of the major motivations of the character moving forward.
Third, this chapter demonstrates that Nimona is willing to lie. While rather minor for a villain, her untruths and half-truths are a major element of the character. Her lies at the start establish her as having a past that is always in question, and it demonstrates that she is willing to lie to Blackheart to get the results that she wants. It also follows in the great and careful tradition of an intriguing unreliable narrator.
Chapter Five
The Fifth chapter of Nimona includes the first true conflict between the titular shapeshifter and Blackheart. It sets up Nimona's development for the remainder of the text. Firstly, it begins to establish that Nimona's powers truly defy the rules of the world, as this is explicitly brought up by Blackheart. It also demonstrates the origins of Nimona's trauma may very well lie in a laboratory, as she physically threatens Blackheart for a seemingly innocuous line about running tests on her.
Chapter Nine
One of the last chapters in the novel, this sets up Nimona for her final character arc and establishes how close she and Blackheart have become. It also demonstrates just how dangerous Nimona truly is. Her change from fun sidekick to maleficent protagonist truly takes over here, and the art here attempts to convey her ethereal nature. Her trauma and rage are primary here, and all characters are brought to question Nimona. Other than when her true nature is revealed in full at the end of the text, this is one of the most important chapters for establishing who Nimona really is.
Essential Blackheart Reading
Blackheart serves as the primary perspective throughout the text, serving both as the voice of the reader and as the true "villain." The way that ND Stevenson weaves tropes through him is both important to the story and humorous. His relationships to Nimona and Goldenloin form the motivators of the narrative. As such, his chapters are often the ones which move him closer into the orbit of others.
Chapter Two
Blackheart's most important relationship besides that of Nimona herself is that with Goldenloin, and this chapter begins to establish it. His backstory goes over the maleficent act of Goldenloin and how Blackheart holds a vengeful grudge against Goldenloin. It's as hackneyed and straightforward as any villain's backstory, and quite by design. This chapter establishes Blackheart and who he is, as well as why he engages in a constant dance with Goldenloin - or so readers are led to believe.
Chapter Seven
The alleged source of Disney's cancellation of the Nimona movie project was the gay relationship between Blackheart and Goldenloin, and Chapter Seven is where it is truly established and is likely to be the establishment of the relationship in the film version as well, following in the footsteps of other Netflix movies. It also demonstrates just how far apart the two knights have drifted. Blackheart is bitter and angry, but also just and fair. Goldenloin is vengeful and petty, but also hopeful. It demonstrates just who the two characters are and why they are so intent on being within each other's orbit, and it establishes that Blackheart truly is more than he seems on the surface.
CBR's Best Nimona Features
The Antiestablishment firebrand of Nimona and the not-so-evil villain of Blackheart are due to warm hearts sometime in 2023. If this guide has made you curious as to either of the two, the following is a shortlist of the latest and greatest Nimona-centric pieces by CBR's very own writers. This will help you to look more into just how ND Stevenson's novel truly subverts the fantasy genre and makes its characters more than just their tropes.
Our Flag Means Death’s Spiritual Predecessor Is A Queer Comic That Disney Shut Down
She Has No Head! - 25 Favorite Fictional Females, 2014
Noelle Stevenson's 'Nimona' comes to an end
Women In Comics: Stevenson & Corsetto on Webcomics and the Future