HarperCollins picks up webcomic Nimona

After a brief flirtation during publishing webcomics in the “graphic novel boom” of the Aughts, it’s been pretty rare to see something picked up by a major publisher, but here’s just such a story: Noelle Stevenson’s fantasy webcomic NIMONA has been picked up by HarperCollins as a YA graphic novel. UPDATE: According to the original PW story, it’s a two-book deal.

What does this mean? Well, it means that in the near-ish future you will be able to buy an honest-to-god print version of NIMONA, for one! The webcomic isn’t going anywhere! I’ll continue to post pages online at my current pace, and the update schedule may even increase in the future!

I’m super excited about this, you guys. And a HUGE shout-out to my agent Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management who negotiated the deal!

 

The story summary from the website makes it clear why this was a pickup:

Lord Ballister Blackheart has a point to make, and his point is that the good guys aren’t as good as they seem. He makes a comfortable living as a supervillain, but never really seems to accomplish much – until he takes on a new sidekick, Nimona, a shapeshifter with her own ideas of how things should be done. Unfortunately, most of those ideas involve blowing things up. Now Ballister must teach his young protégé some restraint and try to keep her from destroying everything, while simultaneously attempting to expose the dark dealings of those who claim to be the protectors of the kingdom – including his former best friend turned nemesis, Ambrosius Goldenloin.

And the charming art seals the deal.