Nimona

The first two chapters introduce the setting, tone, and protagonists of the story. Stevenson uses foreshadowing to offer hints at character arcs and future plot points. From the onset, Stevenson incorporates traditional fairy tale tropes to set the fantasy world, including heroes and villains, magic, dragons, armored knights, and more. However, Stevenson combines the traditional fairy tale world with science fiction elements—such as scientific labs, technologically enhanced armor, laser weapons, and surveillance screens—to create a futuristic, science fantasy setting. The tone of the story is lighthearted and plays on fairy tale tropes and archetypes to create humor.

The opening chapters introduce Nimona, the titular character, and Blackheart, the so-called villain of the story. The relationship between the two develops the theme of The Significance of Found Family. Although Nimona and Blackheart are identified as villains, they are actually antiheroes. In literature, antiheroes lack conventional heroic qualities. Although they may not do good through conventional acts of bravery and courage, they nonetheless have good intentions. Nimona is portrayed as enthusiastic, immature, and funny, immediately contrasting not only physically but also emotionally with Blackheart, who is more restrained and generally depicted as frowning. In these two chapters, Blackheart’s character appears typical of a fairy tale villain, which strongly contrasts with Nimona’s more unexpected characterization.

Although she wants to become a sidekick, Nimona does not really fit any fairy tale archetype, suggesting that she is looking for acceptance while hinting at her much more complex nature. Through Nimona, Stevenson introduces the motif of shapeshifting, which develops the theme of Shifting Identity as Queer Symbolism. Animal transformation is a fairy tale trope, and Stevenson uses the character of Nimona to subvert, or disrupt, narrative expectations and plot developments. Nimona’s intrusion in Blackheart’s life foreshadows her role as a disruptor and demonstrates how she functions to characterize others.

When Nimona suggests that Blackheart usurp the king, Blackheart’s true nature is revealed in contrast to the “supervillain” title. Blackheart’s strict moral code introduces the theme of Ambivalent Morality and Moral Dilemmas, which Stevenson further develops through the character of Goldenloin. The character of Goldenloin is first introduced through Blackheart’s perspective in a flashback. Blackheart reveals his villain origin story when he tells Nimona about Goldenloin’s betrayal. Blackheart’s origin story is significant because it introduces the Institution and foreshadows the narrative’s true antagonist, the Director.