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Nova (Sam Alexander)

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Template:Short description Template:For Template:Infobox comics character

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.

Publication history

Sam Alexander first appeared in Marvel Point One #1 (November 2011), and was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness. He first appeared in the Marvel Point One one-shot in November 2011 before starring in a solo series beginning in February 2013.

Fictional character biography

Sam Alexander is a sixteen-year-old living in Carefree, Arizona, with his father, mother, and little sister. His father Jesse is always drunk and often talks about his supposed life as a Nova Centurion, and is a janitor at his son's school. After Jesse disappears, Sam learns that he really was a member of the Nova Corps, obtains his helmet, and leaves Earth to battle the Chitauri.[1][2]

Sometime later, Sam is on a mission to warn planets in its path that the Dark Phoenix is coming for them and works with the Avengers and the X-Men to stop him.[3]

In "Infinity", Sam learns from his crush, Carrie, that she knows his secret identity. Shocked, he flies into the sky, but accidentally removes his helmet and is rendered comatose. He wakes up to Justice and Speedball, who offer him a spot on the New Warriors.[4] He next faces off against Kaldera, an agent of Proxima Midnight, and defeats her in combat.[5] 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.[6]

In Original Sin, Sam trains with Uatu on the Moon and learns that Jesse is still alive.[7]

In Civil War II, Sam leaves the Avengers to join the Champions, who travel to Lasibad, Sharzad to battle terrorists.[8]

Powers and abilities

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.[9][10]

Reception

Accolades

  • In 2017, Den of Geek ranked Nova 2nd in their "Guardians of the Galaxy 3: 50 Marvel Characters We Want to See" list.[11]
  • In 2018, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Nova 8th in their "Marvel's Strongest Cosmic Heroes" list.[12]
  • In 2021, Screen Rant ranked Nova 3rd in their "10 Most Powerful Members Of The Champions" list.[9]

Literary reception

Volumes

Nova - 2013

According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 14th best selling comic book in February 2013.[13][14][15]

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."[16] 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."[17]

Nova - 2015

According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 47th best selling comic book in November 2015.[18][19][20]

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."[21]

Nova - 2016

According to Diamond Comic Distributors, Nova #1 was the 30th best selling comic book in December 2016.[22][23][24][25]

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."[26]

In other media

Television

Video games

Merchandise

  • Sam Alexander / Nova, based on the Ultimate Spider-Man incarnation, appears in the Lego Super Heroes set.[41]
  • Sam Alexander / Nova appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man 6-inch toyline.[42]
  • Sam Alexander / Nova appears in Hasbro's Marvel Legends toyline.

Books

Nova appears in the children's book Spider-Man: Attack of the Heroes.

Collected editions

  • Nova Vol. 1: Origin (collects Nova Vol 5 #1-5, Point One #1 (Nova story), Marvel Now! Point One #1 (Nova story)) September 2013,
  • Nova Vol. 2: Rookie Season (collects Nova Vol 5 #6-9, #10 (A story)) March 2014,
  • Nova Vol. 3: Nova Corpse (collects Nova Vol 5 #10 (B story), #11-16) June 2014,
  • Nova Vol. 4: Original Sin (collects Nova Vol 5 #17-22) January 2015,
  • Nova Vol. 5: Axis (collects Nova Vol 5 #23-27) April 2015,
  • Nova Vol. 6: Homecoming (collects Nova Vol 5 #28-31, Annual #1) November 2015,
  • Nova The Human Rocket Vol. 1: Burn Out (collects Nova Vol 6 #1-6) June 2016,
  • Nova The Human Rocket Vol. 2: Afterburn (collects Nova Vol 6 #7-11) January 2017,
  • Nova: Resurrection (collects Nova Vol 7 #1-7) August 2017,

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Nova Corps Template:Avengers characters Template:Navboxes

  1. ↑ Nova vol. 5 #1
  2. ↑ Nova vol. 5 #2-3 (March 2013-April 2013), Marvel Comics
  3. ↑ Template:Multiref2
  4. ↑ Nova vol. 5 #8
  5. ↑ Nova vol. 5 #9
  6. ↑ Nova vol. 5 #10
  7. ↑ Waid, Mark (w), Cheung, Jim; Medina, Paco Medina (p) (Various) (i). Original Sin #0 (June 2014). Marvel Comics
  8. ↑ Champions vol. 2 #1-3
  9. ↑ Jump up to: 9.0 9.1 Template:Cite web
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  29. ↑ Jump up to: 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Template:Cite web A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  30. ↑ Template:Cite news
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  42. ↑ Hasbro USM official images, Toyark.com, 15 July 2012
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