Superhero Origins: Nova

Some people have greatness thrust upon them - even the most unlikely people. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Nova. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1976's Nova #1 and was expanded upon in 1993's New Warriors #42 and 2013's Nova Vol. 5 # 1-3. The hero known as Nova wears a special uniform, which gives him access to an energy source called the Nova Force. This imbues him with a range of powers, including superstrength, flight, speed, and the ability to release energy blasts. All in all, a pretty handy little suit to have around. Audiences first met Nova in 1976 in his civilian identity Richard Rider, a high school student with an inferiority complex. The object of considerable bullying, Rich was constantly being told to get himself some confidence – but that was much easier said than done. Fortunately for Rich, things were about to change. A spaceship approaching Earth contained a being of incredible power known as Nova-Prime. He revealed that his homeworld of Xandar had been destroyed by an evil monster called Zorr. Nova-Prime had been mortally injured in his unsuccessful fight against Zorr. With only moments to live, he randomly directly a beam of incredibly energy toward the Earth, hoping to find a successor in his fight against Zorr. That beam happened to strike Rich Rider, knocking him into a coma. Though he was unresponsive to the world around him, Rich's mind had established a link with that of Nova-Prime. The alien told Rich that he was passing on to him his incredible Nova powers and that Rich must use them to fight Zorr – and all who seek to do evil. When Nova-Prime bequeathed his powers to Rich, the boy awoke from his coma, releasing a force beam of massive energy as he did so. Although he was initially unsure whether his conversation with Nova-Prime had been a dream, he soon discovered it was not. When Zorr arrived on Earth to begin a new destructive rampage, Rich donned his Nova suit and engaged in battle. Being new and inexperienced, Rich made some mistakes in fighting Zorr, but he was faring well when Zorr suddenly disappeared. Apparently, Nova-Prime had enough power left to bring Zorr aboard his space ship and destroy the monster before dying himself. With his new powers, Rich dedicated himself to fighting evil in all its forms, taking the name Nova for his costumed identity. In subsequent years, Rich found that Nova-Prime was actually one of many members of an elite police force known as the Nova Corps. He eventually came into conflict with Garthan Saal, another surviving Nova Corps member who had somehow absorbed all the powers NovaForce. Rich and Saal were merged into one body, which then was used to help recreate the world of Xandar, which Zorr had destroyed. In this recreated Xandar, Rich was chosen to be the new Nova-Prime. In 2011, a new Earthling took on the mantel of Nova and his origin was revealed in 2013. Sam Alexander was a fifteen-year-old stuck in Carefree, Arizona and ashamed of his alcoholic father. What Sam didn't know is that before his birth, his father Jesse had also been a member of the Nova Corps. When his former colleagues, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora, showed up, they transferred to Sam the uniform and powers of Nova – and called upon him to help save the Earth from annihilation. Sam agreed, of course. Hey, it was better than being bored to death at school. Both Rich Rider and Sam Alexander come from the long line of Marvel heroes who started out as outsider teen-agers. Being gifted with theNova powers certainly made a big difference in their lives – and provided fans with plenty of awesome action and outlandish adventures as well. Are you a fan of the cosmic superhero Nova? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.