Genre
Graphic Novel
Setting and Context
Unidentified location and anachronistically feudal time period in which kings and dragons share space with robotic arms, pizza delivery, and zombie movies.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is primarily told through the perspective of Nimona, although it features many scenes in which she is not present.
Tone and Mood
Subversively ironic, parodic, and satirical--but with moments of genuine melodrama.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonists: Nimona and Ballinger. Antagonist: the director of the Institution of Law Enforcement & Heroics.
Major Conflict
Although multiple conflicts spring from it, the core conflict that is the heart of the story is one pitting Ballinger against the Institute.
Climax
The king and the director are both killed in a murderous rampage by a mysterious beast and Ballinger and Ambrosius are hailed as heroes and hospitalized for bringing the rampage to an end. An enraged public, upon learning of the evil being perpetrated by the Institution, calls for it to be permanently closed.
Foreshadowing
Early in the story, Ballinger calls the director a monster only to find out that he is really talking to Nimona who has shapeshifted to take on the director’s appearance. This humorous scene foreshadows a more emotionally dramatic scene near the end when Ballinger angrily defends Nimona against the very same charge by telling the doctor treating him, “she’s not a monster,” only to find out that the doctor is also in reality a shapeshifted Nimona in disguise.
Understatement
“It’s kind of a downer,” is Nimona’s comment before launching into a backstory she tells Ballinger about the origin of her shapeshifting ability. The story has a genocidal conclusion that leaves her orphaned. Ballinger’s summation: “You’re right, that is a downer.”
Allusions
When Ballinger announces to Nimona that he is going to use apples to deliver his poison to the populace, her response is an allusion to Snow White: “Whoa, that’s old-school villain right there. Are you pissed you’re not the fairest of them all?”
Imagery
n/a
Paradox
Upon first meeting Ballinger, Nimona is baffled by the paradox he represents with his stern assertion that there are rules which must be observed. She tries to point out this paradox, but to no avail: “Isn’t that the whole point of being a villain? That you don’t follow the rules.”
Parallelism
After the full extent of Nimona’s powers are finally revealed, Ambrosius explains to the Director, “We assumed she was a girl disguised as a monster, but she’s not. She’s a monster disguised as a girl.”
Metonymy and Synecdoche
A headline of a TV news report says “Kingdom in Shock” in which “kingdom” is a metonym for that part of the population actually shocked or outraged.
Personification
n/a
