Nimona by ND Stevenson

 

Lord Ballister Blackheart had trained as a hero at the Institution Of Law Enforcement and Heroics.  But after he lost his arm in an unfair joust with his best friend, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, he leaves the Institution and becomes a villain.  He is doing pretty well in this but lacks one thing; a sidekick.

When Nimona, a teenage shapeshifter shows up, she wants the job.  She adores Blackheart and is much more bloodthirsty than he is.  She can also shapeshift into any creature she wants.  Together the two start to realize that the Institution is not doing good but instead is releasing disease and pestilence into the land.  Even worse, they want to kill Nimona.

Although they try to kill her several times, Nimona always manages to escape.  Blackheart is forced to choose between her and Goldenloin and he makes the only choice he can.  

This graphic novel is written by ND Stevenson who is known as one of the most talented graphic artists currently writing.  It is a National Book Award Finalist and has been turned into a series on Netflix.  Stevenson writes about how being different is valuable not something to be regretted and his own life history proves that point as well.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.