Nova | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Marvel Point One #1 (November 2011) |
Created by | Jeph Loeb Ed McGuinness |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Samuel "Sam" Alexander |
Species | Alien/human hybrid |
Place of origin | Earth-616 |
Team affiliations | Nova Corps New Warriors New Avengers Avengers S.H.I.E.L.D. Young Avengers Champions Guardians of the Galaxy |
Partnerships | Richard Rider |
Notable aliases | Sam |
Abilities |
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Nova (Sam Alexander) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by 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.
Sam Alexander first appeared in Marvel Point One #1 (November 2011), created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness. The character was named after Loeb's son Sam, who died in 2005 from bone cancer at the age of 17.[citation needed]
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.
Sam Alexander is a sixteen-year-old living in Carefree, Arizona, with his father, mother, and little sister. His father is always drunk and often talks about his supposed life as a Nova Centurion, and shirks his duties as a janitor at his son's school. Sam's mother is Latina. 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.[1] After putting on his father's helmet, Sam travels to the Moon, meeting Uatu the Watcher, who reveals an invasion fleet of Chitauri ships. After returning to Earth, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora train him and tell him to scout the fleet.[2]
Sometime later, Sam is on a mission to warn planets in its path that Dark Phoenix is coming for them.[3] He crashes on Earth, but is able to deliver the warning to the Avengers.[4] After recovering, Nova joins the Avengers and the X-Men against Cyclops, who has become the new Dark Phoenix after Jean. Thor asks Sam to join the Avengers, and Sam eventually accepts.[5][6] Afterwards, he encounters the previous Nova's recurring enemy Diamondhead, but easily defeats him.[7]
During the events of "Infinity", Sam learns from his crush, Carrie, that she knows he is Nova. Shocked, he flies into the sky, but accidentally removes his helmet and lands in a coma. He wakes up to Justice and Speedball, who offer him a spot on the New Warriors.[8] He next faces off against Kaldera, an agent of Proxima Midnight and defeats her in combat.[9] Sam becomes cocky and prideful and begins to feel above the New Warriors and disregard his mother's rules. He gets into an argument with Carrie and gets mad at Justice and Speedball. Sam eventually speaks to Uatu, who gives him some advice, and he returns to Earth to agree to his mother's rules and join the New Warriors.[10]
During a day of training with Uatu at the Watcher's Moon base at the start of the "Original Sin" storyline, Uatu reveals that Sam's father Jesse Alexander is alive. Sam leaves where he is happy with the information he just learned.[11]
Following the Civil War II storyline, Sam leaves the Avengers to join the Champions. The team heads to Lasibad, Sharzad to rescue a group of women and girls being attacked by terrorists.[12]
Sam Alexander wears a helmet that gives him access to the Nova Force, which grants him superhuman strength and durability, flight, energy projection, telekinesis, force fields, universal translation and the ability to breathe underwater and survive in space.[13][14]
According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 14th best selling comic book in February 2013.[17][18][19]
Tony Guerrero of Comic Vine gave Nova #1 a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, saying, "As a Richard Rider fan, I wasn't thrilled over the idea of a series starring a different Nova. Jeph Loeb does a good job in introducing who the character is and where he comes from. The version of Sam Alexander here is thankfully different than what is seen on the animated Ultimate Spider-Man series. As a first issue, we get the basics, we are introduced to Sam and get an idea how he becomes Nova. What we don't know is if the series will be based in space, on Earth or both. Ed McGuinness' art is great as he always manages to capture and depict big action scenes. We're off to a great start. I was hesitant about actually liking a Nova series with a different Nova but I have to admit I'm hooked so far."[20] Benjamin Bailey of IGN gave Nova #1 a grade of 7.6 out of 10, writing, "If it's a fresh, new tale you are looking for, Nova probably isn't for you. You've read this comic before, no doubt. That said, if you just want a fun, classic-feeling adventure, then go ahead and give this series a shot. Sure, it copies countless other stories, but it copies them very well and with a bit of its own style and flair."[21]
According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 47th best selling comic book in November 2015.[22][23][24]
Alexander Jones of ComicsBeat wrote, "Sean Ryan’s depiction of Sam Alexander has compelled me to keep reading this series. I love that the book has a sentimental value owed to Jeph Loeb’s son Sam, and I love that Marvel has such a young hero. The art direction actually fits better for this series than I first realized. Verdict: This is a strong first showing. I’m happy to read what’s next."[25]
According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 30th best selling comic book in December 2016.[26][27][28][29]
Tony Guerrero of Comic Vine gave Nova #1 a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "What could be better than a comic series with Nova? How about a comic series with two Novas? New and old fans can rejoice as the adventures of Sam Alexander continue along side the return another character. Jeff Loveness and Ramon Perez are giving the two characters clear and distinct voices. The art and color creates a good atmosphere and tone for the characters. With the questions raised here, there's definitely plenty of reasons to come back for more."[30]
Nova appears in the children's book Spider-Man: Attack of the Heroes.[citation needed]