With “Nimona,” what started as a webcomic for cartoonist ND Stevenson became a graphic novel sensation. After HarperCollins published a print edition of Stevenson’s comic, it won a Cybils Award and an Eisner Award, two of the highest accolades for graphic novels; it also got nominated for a National Book Award. Not too shabby for a senior thesis to graduate from the Maryland Institute College Of Art for Stevenson.
But how will “Nimona” fare as an animated film? Netflix subscribers find out next month. Based on Stevenson’s original work, Netflix’s movie follows Riz Ahmed‘s knight in a futuristic world who must join forces with Chloë Grace Moretz‘s impulsive, shape-shifting teen deemed his mortal enemy to clear his name for a crime that he didn’t commit.
Here’s Netflix’s official synopsis for “Nimona”
When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc — for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to…just wreak serious havoc.
Alongside Moretz and Ahmed, the voice cast of “Nimona” also includes Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, and Indya Moore. Other cast members include RuPaul Charles, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman.
Nick Burno and Troy Quane share directing duties on “Nimona.” Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor co-pen the film’s script, based on a story by Baird, Taylor, Pamela Ribon, Marc Haimes, Bruno, Quane, and Keith Bunin. Baird also serves as co-executive producer with Megan Ellison, Andrew Millstein, and John Powers Middleton. Meanwhile, Stevenson serves as producer for “Nimona.”
So will Netflix’s take on Stevenson’s material maintain the original’s winning take on queerness and fluidity of identity? Find out when “Nimona” premieres on the streamer on June 30. Watch a teaser trailer for the animated film below.