8 Graphic Novels like NIMONA with Murder Teens and Queer Pining

Nimona boasts a unique setting Stevenson once dubbed on his blog, “monkpunk,” as a medieval take on a sci-fi setting (like steampunk but make it medieval). Cosmoknights features a similarly unique take on setting with a futuristic space society heavily influenced by jousting, knights, and medieval royalty. It’s also very gay, which I know fans of Nimona will appreciate.

Who doesn’t love teen girls with a penchant for murder? In Squad, a gang of popular girls moonlight as werewolves and take out any of their classmates who assault or mistreat girls. As the new girl, Becca is thrilled to join them. But as their mission becomes increasingly muddled, she begins to question the other girls’ motives — and her own. I know Nimona would approve of these girls taking on the patriarchy — questionable as their methods might be — and you will, too.

Since Nimona started out as a webcomic, it’s only appropriate to suggest some other iconic webcomics for fans. In Witchy, which can still be read online, a girl whose father was murdered by the Witch Guard, who execute anyone with hair that grows too long, must decide whether to risk everything to stand up for her ideals or join the institution responsible for her father’s death. Nyneve may not have a villainous bone in her body, but her relationship with the Witch Guard definitely has tones of Ballister Blackheart vs. The Institute.

If you love one murderous girl it only tracks that you’d love another, right? That’s my logic for Nimona fans loving Lorna and the eponymous webcomic all about her from Benji Nate (creator of Catboy and Girl Juice). Lorna loves animals and knives — and that’s about all you need to know about Lorna to love her. Pretty sure she and Nimona would be BFFs.

An unlikely friendship takes shape between a headstrong teen and the town’s outcast in this adorable (and slightly magical) graphic novel — sound familiar? But instead of a supposed supervillain, Snap befriends the old woman everyone suspects is a witch. As in the case of Ballister Blackheart, the truth turns out to be a bit complicated.

On an island where people are cursed with immortality until they are united with their soulmate, those who wish to live forever hire heart hunters: assassins who seek out soulmates and kill them. Psyche has been hired to kill the king’s soulmate, but it’s her own journey of learning to trust again that changes the course of her life — and her mission — for the better. Who doesn’t love an antihero and a bit of enemies-to-lovers romance? I know Ballister and Ambrosius do.

A (not so mad) scientist rebuilds her deceased sister in this Frankenstein reimagining, and can’t you just see Ballister doing the same? Frances can’t imagine life without her little sister, but the Maura she brought back isn’t Maura at all. In fact, she has none of her memories and prefers to go by M. What happens when the person you bring back isn’t the person you lost? This is a mad scientist tale fit for Ballister Blackheart himself.

Teen! Girl! Fight club! It may not have any fantasy elements, but you and I both know Nimona would have a field day with this. Vinyl Destination may appear to be a record store (and it is), but it’s also a front for the coolest gang of teen girl vigilantes around. They’re here to kick butts, listen to music, and kick even more butts. This one’s for all the girls out there who wish they could take on the system, one baddie at a time.