Nova (Sam Alexander)

For other comics characters named Nova, see Nova (comics).

Sam Alexander
200px Cover to Nova vol. 5 #1
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Point One #1 (November 2011)
Created by	Jeph Loeb Ed McGuiness
In-story information
Alter ego	Samuel Alexander
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	Nova Corps New Warriors New Avengers Avengers
Abilities	Access to the Nova Force via helmet grants: Superhuman strength and durability Flight Energy projection Universal translation Ability to 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 McGuiness, 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.

Publication history

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. The character is named after Loeb's son, Sam, who died of bone cancer in 2005.

Fictional character biography

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 Latina and a homemaker. It is hinted throughout the series that Sam's mom knows something about her husband's previous, heroic lifestyle. When Sam comes home from school to find his father missing, Sam accidentally injures himself and wakes up in a hospital. There, he is greeted by Rocket Raccoon and Gamora, who reveal Sam's father really was in the Nova Corps. After putting on the helmet, Sam travels to the moon, meeting Uatu the Watcher, who reveals a fleet of ships. Upon returning to Earth he reunites with Rocket Raccoon and Gamora, who train and tell him to scout the Chitauri fleet.

Sometime later, Sam has become a Nova before the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. He is on a mission to warn planets in the path of the Phoenix it is coming. He crashes on Earth, but is able to deliver the warning.

After recovering, Nova joins the Avengers and the X-Men against Cyclops, who has become the Dark Phoenix. Thor then asks if Sam will join the Avengers.

On his way home, Sam is ambushed by Diamondhead (who bears a grudge against Sam's predecessor Richard Rider). Sam defeats Diamondhead by luck, and leaves the villain stranded in the desert.

During the "Original Sin" storyline, Sam Alexander begins to reflect on his superhero career. Sam goes for another day of training with Uatu the Watcher at the Watcher's moon base. Stumbling around the place, he ends up finding Uatu's weapons storage. Sam asks about some of them and Uatu gives him the origin story of the Watchers. He even shows Sam what he watches in the Multiverse all of it using his Nova helmet. Sam also learns that Uatu's father was the Watcher who originally gave nuclear technology to the Prosilicans. Uatu's search of parallel universes is motivated by the desire to find the one world where his father's act of charity was proved to be the right thing to do. Uatu also reveals that his father Jesse Alexander is alive. Sam leaves, happy.

During The Black Vortex storyline, Sam tells Richard Rider's family about his death during The Thanos Imperative.

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, ISBN 9780785166054
• Nova Vol. 2: Rookie Season (collects Nova Vol 5 #6-9, #10 (A story)) March 2014, ISBN 9780785168393
• Nova Vol. 3: Nova Corpse (collects Nova Vol 5 #10 (B story), #11-16) June 2014, ISBN 9780785189572
• Nova Vol. 4: Original Sin (collects Nova Vol 5 #17-22) January 2015, ISBN 9780785189589
• Nova Vol. 5: Axis (collects Nova Vol 5 #23-27) April 2015, ISBN 9780785192411
• Nova Vol. 6: Homecoming (collects Nova Vol 5 #28-31, Annual #1) November 2015, ISBN 9780785193753

In other media

Television

• The Sam Alexander incarnation of Nova appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Logan Miller. This version has no family and is the last of the Nova Corps, due to former member Titus wiping the rest out trying to get another helmet. He was trained by Rocket Raccoon and joined as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot). He left the team for Earth and joined a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. Trainees consisting of Power Man, Iron Fist, White Tiger and Spider-Man. He serves as Spider-Man's friendly rival on the team. In the third season, he unlocks his full power as Nova Prime.
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova appears in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, voiced by Suganuma Hisayoshi.

Video games

• The Sam Alexander version of Nova appears as a downloadable alternative costume for Nova (Richard Rider) in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova is available as downloadable content for the game LittleBigPlanet, as part of "Marvel Costume Kit 5".
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova is a playable character in the MMORPG Marvel Heroes, with Logan Miller reprising his speaking role.
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova appears in Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes, as part of the Ultimate Spider-Man Playset Pack, once again voiced by Logan Miller.
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova is a playable character in the Facebook game Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
• The Sam Alexander version of Nova appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers.

Toys

• Nova is featured in the Marvel Super Heroes LEGO theme based on his appearance in the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series.
• A Nova toy was available in the Ultimate Spider-Man 6-inch toyline in 2013.
• Nova is available for the Disney Infinity 2.0 video game as a figure and playable character.

Books

In the children's book "Spider-Man: Attack of the Heroes" Nova is mentioned as having teamed up with Spider-Man multiple times. Nova is among the heroes replaced by the Chameleon. This causes many to believe the replaced heroes (Iron Man, the Thing, and Daredevil) have "gone bad". Nova is later freed by Spider-Man.

Reception

The first issue of Nova debuted to positive reviews, including a perfect score at IFanboy.com. Reviewing for Multiversity Comics, Matthew Meylikhov called the series a "rather exciting prospect" and gave the issue a "Buy" rating, but derided its pacing.