Nova (Richard Rider)

Nova
Promotional cover art to Nova #1 (2007) Art by Adi Granov
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Nova #1 (September 1976)
Created by	Marv Wolfman (writer) John Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Richard Rider
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	United Front New Warriors Defenders Champions of Xandar Secret Avengers Nova Corps
Notable aliases	Nova Prime, Kid Nova, Nova #11249-44396, The Human Rocket, Quasar
Abilities	Flight Superhuman strength, speed, and durability Expert hand to hand combatant Currently in possession, via download, of the Xandarian Worldmind which allows him near infinite control over the Nova Force granting energy projection and absorption Ability to exert influence over gravitational forces and open wormholes

Nova (Richard Rider) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character appeared historically as the star of his own series, and at other times, as a supporting character in team books such as The New Warriors. He is a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Nova Corps, for which he gained superhuman abilities including enhanced strength, flight and resistance to injury.

In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time, and 19th in their list of "The Top 50 Avengers" in 2012.

The character was created by Marv Wolfman and Len Wein in the fanzine Super Adventures in 1966. Seven years later John Romita, Sr. tweaked the design of the character's uniform. Nova debuted in Nova #1 in 1976, written by Wolfman and drawn by John Buscema. Wolfman intended the teenage character to be an homage to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's Spider-Man, down to his humble working-class roots and alliterative alter-ego. The original Nova series, The Man Called Nova, lasted 25 issues from September 1976 to May 1979. Dangling plot lines were resolved in issues 206-214 of Fantastic Four (also by Wolfman) and issue 24 of Rom the Spaceknight. The character then disappeared into obscurity until returning as a member of the original New Warriors team debuting in The Mighty Thor #411 (December 1989), and continuing through New Warriors #1-75, Annual #1-4 (July 1990—September 1996).

Following two subsequent Nova titles, Nova vol. 2 #1-18 (Jan 94 - June 95) and Nova, The Human Rocket vol. 3 #1-7 (May - Nov 1999), Nova would return in New Warriors vol. 2 #0-10 (October 1999—July 2000) and New Warriors vol. 3 #1-6 (July 2005 - December 2005). After a four issue miniseries titled Annihilation: Nova and a leading role in Annihilation 1-6, a fourth volume of Nova ran for 36 issues (April 2007 - April 2010). This series tied into Annihilation: Conquest, Secret Invasion, and War of Kings. After the cancellation of volume four, some remaining plot threads were addressed in The Thanos Imperative, a six-issue miniseries with two bookend one-shots (May 2010 - Feb 2011).