Nova (Sam Alexander)

Sam Alexander
Cover to Nova vol. 5 #1
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Point One #1 (November 2011)
Created by	Jeph Loeb (Writer) Ed McGuinness (Artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Samuel Alexander
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	Nova Corps New Warriors New Avengers Avengers S.H.I.E.L.D. Champions
Abilities	Access to the Nova Force via helmet grants: Superhuman strength and durability Flight Energy projection Telekinesis Universal translation Ability to breathe underwater and survive in space

Nova (Sam Alexander) is a fictional superhero who appears in publications from Marvel Comics. The character, a space-faring member of the intergalactic police force known as the Nova Corps, was created in 2011 by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness, based on the original Nova Richard Rider. The Sam Alexander version of the character first appeared in the Marvel Point One one-shot in November 2011 before starring in his own series beginning in February 2013.

After debuting in Point One, Alexander appeared in Avengers vs. X-Men #1 (April 2012) and #12 (October 2012). He now stars in Nova, volume 5, originally written by Jeph Loeb with art by Ed McGuiness, which debuted February 20, 2013.

Sam Alexander is a fifteen-year-old living in Carefree, Arizona with his father, mother, and little sister. His father is a drunk who often talks about his supposed life as a Nova Centurion, and shirks his duties as janitor at his son's school. Sam's mother is a Latina homemaker. When Sam comes home from school to find his father missing, Sam accidentally injures himself and wakes up in a hospital. There, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora reveal Sam's father really was in the Nova Corps. After putting on his father's helmet, Sam travels to the moon, meeting Uatu the Watcher, who reveals an invasion fleet of alien ships belonging to the Chitauri. Upon returning to Earth, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora train him and tell him to scout the fleet.

Sometime later, Sam is on a mission to warn planets in the path of the Phoenix that it is coming toward them. He crashes on Earth, but is able to deliver the warning to the Avengers. After recovering, Nova joins the Avengers and the X-Men against Cyclops, who has become the Dark Phoenix. Thor asks Sam to join the Avengers, and Sam eventually accepts.