Richard Rider (Earth-616)

Richard Rider was born in Queens, New York. As a teenager, he is chosen at random by the alien Rhomann Dey, last surviving Centurion of the planet Xandar's elite Nova Corps, to inherit his power and succeed him in the rank of Nova Prime following the destruction of his world by the intergalactic pirate Zorr. Having been mortally wounded in the battle that tore Xandar apart, Dey succeeds in tracking Zorr to Earth but is unable to exact vengeance due to the extent of his injuries. At death's door, Dey has little choice but to transfer his power to an unsuspecting human on the planet below, praying whomever he finds will take up his cause and prove worthy of the powers he has given.

Rider gains great strength, invulnerability, the power to fly, and a uniform with a sealed life support system, but little instruction on how to use these new powers. Still, he takes up the life of a superhero, fighting costumed villains in New York and gradually learning how to use his new powers.

After a brief career as "Nova, the Human Rocket," he is called into space to serve in the protection of the recently reconstructed planet Xandar, the same world where his great powers originated. Eventually tiring of a life of constant intergalactic war and hoping to rejoin his high school friends, the boy requests to return home to Earth. When he is told he must relinquish his powers in order to do so, Rider agrees.

For a time, Rider lives a relatively normal life, flipping burgers, and barely making ends meet due to his disrupted education. He spends his time trying to pick up the pieces of the life he had left behind, all the while wishing he can find a way to regain the powers he lost. Unknown to him, during this period, the planet Xandar is destroyed again in an attack by the space pirate Nebula.

The New Warriors

After returning home from Xandar, Rich led a listless life. Depressed by the loss of his powers, and unwilling to go back to a high school that all his friends had graduated, he worked odd jobs until the day he was kidnapped by Night Thrasher. Dwayne Taylor was attempting to build his own super-hero team, and had read Richard Rider's analysis that Rich's powers might be reactivated if he suffered a great enough adrenaline rush. In order to accomplish his "experiment," he kidnapped Rich and dropped him from the top of a building. His powers were then reactivated, and after his initial anger at Dwayne, he eventually agreed to join his team. Nova would prove a valuable asset to the Warriors. The most experienced of all the heroes, he would take the very inexperienced hero, Speedball, and help develop him as a member of the team. He was also invaluable in the team's fight against the two Sphinxes, villains of Rich's past.

Nova Corps

At the height of the New Warriors' popularity, Nova was spun off into his own book, which focused on the difficulty he had in maintaining his duties as both a member of the Nova Corps and the New Warriors. During this series, he would meet an alternate reality Nova, "Nova O:O," who helped Rich develop his powers. He also saved the Earth from destruction by preventing the "Deathstorm" bomb from going off. Eventually, another Nova, Nova (Garthan Saal), would take over Rich's duties, and for awhile he was without any powers.

Namorita

From the first time they met^[2], it was clear that Rich and Nita Prentiss (Namorita) had a certain rapport. This would bloom into a romantic relationship, although a somewhat strained one at that. When Nita underwent a change, turning into the blue-skinned Kymaera, Rich was there for her, not caring about her change in appearance. Later, Rich began a separate relationship (in his civilian identity) with a girl named Laura Dunham, although they would drift apart when she found out about his superhero activities. Nova and Nita continued their relationship, but it fell apart in the pages of Nova's third series. Nita, undergoing another change in appearance/powers, needed Rich's support, but he turned away from her because of his own personal problems. Rich later became jealous of Nita's relationship with Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), and almost began his own relationship with Mickey Musashi (Turbo).

Annihilation

Main article: Annihilation

Most of the Nova Corps and New Xandar have been destroyed by the Annihilation Wave. Richard now contains the Worldmind, giving him substantially increased power in order to battle the threat. However, it is not known how long he can contain the Worldmind. Drax has offered to assist him.

Later, in an effort to buy more time for the evacuation of the beseiged planet Nycos Aristedes, Nova and Quasar punch through the Annihilation Wave to meet Annihilus face to face on his own command ship. In the ensuing battle, Quasar is killed and, though Rider is forced to flee, his efforts, combined with the timely intervention of the Worldmind, succeed in driving the Annihilation Wave to retreat from the sector and secure the planet's complete evacuation. Faced with the universal threat Annihilus now poses, Rider and the Worldmind agree to abandon the search for a safe haven and remain joined together to fight the Wave head on.

205 days after Annihilation Day, Richard Rider has formed an army, the United Front, to oppose the Annihilation Wave. His land-based army includes Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Ronan the Accuser and Starlord (Peter Quill), while his outerspace forces consist primarily of Firelord, Red Shift and Stardust, former Heralds of Galactus. Rider and his forces fight valiantly holding off the wave as best as they can gaining small victories here and there. Other allies join the United Front like Super Skrull and Phyla-Vell. The Front is made up of hundreds of species all fighting to stop the wave.

After months of fighting Nova finally confronts Annihilus and the two begin a fierce battle. Phyla-Vell attempts to join, but finds that Nova has sealed her and Quill in an energy bubble, wanting to face Annihilus alone. Using the quantum bands, Annihilus proves to be too much for Nova. Phyla-Vell forces her way out of the bubble and attacks Annihilus, attempting to wrest the quantum bands from him. Annihilus throws her aside, but the quantum bands abandon Annihilus and join with Phyla-Vell. Annihilus fights on, but Nova surmises that the gap in Annihilus' armor is his mouth, forcing his hand down Annihilus' throat and tearing out his insides, yelling "This is for the Nova Corps!!" Both Annihilus and Nova slump to the ground as Nova looks up to see the veiled figures of Thanos and Lady Death looking over him and smiling. Nova tells them "Better luck next time".

The war is over Annihilus' forces are defeated and treaties are signed. Ronan now Emperor of the Kree offers to make Nova an honorary Kree. Nova is left debating his future and wonders if he should return home to Earth.

Post Annihilation/Civil War

Main article: Civil War

Richard and Worldmind went to maintain of the nova corps by himself, but got overwhelmed by the sense of duty. As he recklessly tried to shortcut one of the mission travels, he ended up crashing on Earth in wake of The Initiative.

He went to his parents and talked to Iron Man and Justice, which asked him to join the Initiative. They gave him twenty-four hours for a decision, but in the short span, he was driven out of his house, attacked by Diamondhead and the Thunderbolts shortly after.

The fight is shortly stopped by Iron Man, and given a short tour to Richard's old school. Later in his house, Richard's parents think that he's crazy and ask him to join, but he just doesn't know what to do. Penance, came to his house, and asking him to join, but Richard thinks that the world has gone insane. Saying his goodbyes to Penance and his parents he eventually went back to his Nova corp duties.

Annihilation Conquest

Upon leaving Earth, distress calls from all over Kree Space summon Rider to the planet Hala, seat of the Kree Empire. Approaching the planet, Rider encounters a contingent of Phalanx-possessed Kree Sentries that attack him without provocation. The Worldmind reports that these Sentries are carrying viral programming that is nearly succeeding in invading its own systems. Cutting and running, Rider attempts to open a stargate and flee, only to impact at full speed against the energy barrier the Phalanx are using to seal off Kree space from the rest of the universe, mortally wounding himself in the process.

Flung to a planet on the far edge of Kree territory, Rider's charred body comes to rest in a crater near the encamped survivors of a downed Kree vessel. Working quickly to protect it's host's remains from incoming Phalanx attackers, the Worldmind chooses Ko-Rel, a female commander of the former warship, conferring on her the powers and rank of a Nova Corps Centurion and the designation Nova 0001. Nearing death, Rider is transported to the safety of Ko-Rel's ship to give his suit's healing systems time to attempt repairing his broken body. Later, the Phalanx Select, Gamora sneaks on board the ship and infects Rider with the Phalanx transmode virus.

Now a slave of the Phalanx, Nova rekindles his affair with Gamora, and spends a brief time as a Phalanx Select. Tasked with killing Rider before the Worldmind falls into enemy hands, Ko-Rel attacks him, only to be killed by Gamora in retaliation. Upon Ko-Rel's death, the remainder of the Nova Force transfers back into Rider's now fully healed body, enabling him to contain his transmode virus infection and break free from Phalanx possession. Fleeing, Nova utilizes the gravity of a nearby neutron star to create a wormhole and escapes. In hot pursuit, Gamora and new Phalanx Select, Drax follow Rider into the wormhole.

Hurled haphazardly through space, Rider finds himself far on the other side of the universe where he discovers Knowhere, a small, self-contained city carved into the massive severed head of a long dead Celestial. Eventually arriving on Kvch, home planet of the Technarchy, Rider is able to enlist the help of the mutant Warlock and his son Tyro, who succeed in completely curing Rider, Drax, and Gamora of the transmode virus before accompanying them back to Hala to engage the Phalanx. Bursting through the Phalanx's recently weakened energy shield, Nova saves Star-Lord's life and aides in the battle against Ultron

Post Annihilation Conquest

After Annihilation Conquest he helped Peter Quill (Earth-616) to start the Guardians of the Galaxy, before he went back to his normal Nova duties. He arrives on a planet that is about to be eaten by Galactus He helps the people of the planet to evacuate. He fights the psionic entity Harrow that is killing the evacuees. Harrow is able to jump from mind to mind, but Nova captured him. The ships that are supposed to evacuate the people are were dissabled by Galactus electromagnetic disruption. Nova tries to beg Galactus to wait a few Hours so the people can escape but Galactus ignored him. The Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd) then defeated Nova, but Nova pleaded for the time to save the people, and the Silver surfer shields the space ships. Nova returns to find that Harrow has escaped, he fights it so all the ships can escape. As he is fighting under one of the ships the ship starts it`s engine and kills harrow, and knock Nova out for a few seconds. When he wakes up he finds himself trapped on the planet.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Richard Rider is the host of the Nova Force, a vast energy source that he can apply to grant himself a number of superhuman attributes.

Superhuman Strength: Rider is able to channel the Nova force for the purpose of increasing his physical strength to vast levels. While the full limit isn't known, the Nova Force can grant rider sufficient superhuman strength to easily lift well in excess of 100 tons.

Superhuman Speed: By channeling the Nova Force properly, Rider can grant himself the ability to run and move at speeds that are beyond the physical limits of the finest human athlete. While the upper limit of his running speed isn't known, he can at least run several hundred miles an hour.

Superhuman Stamina: Due to the Nova Forces augmentation of his musculature, Rider's muscles produce considerably less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of a normal human. He has near unlimited stamina.

Superhuman Durability: Rider's body is practically invulnerable to conventional physical injury and is nearly invincible. He can withstand high caliber bullets, falls from tremendous heights, exposure to extremes in both temperature and pressure, powerful energy blasts, acidic corrosives, and tremendous impact forces without sustaining injury. While employing the Nova Force, Rider can easily withstand the rigors of deep space indefinitely.

Superhuman Agility: Rider's agility, balance, and bodily coordination are enhanced to levels that are beyond the physical limits of the finest human athlete.

Superhuman Reflexes: Rider's reflexes are similarly enhanced and are superior to those of the finest human athlete.

Regenerative Healing Factor: If he was somehow injured Rider can purposely channel the Nova Force to instantly regenerate damaged bodily tissue. The full limits and capabilities of his healing powers aren't known.

Flight: Rider can use the Nova Force to propel himself through the air at tremendous speeds. Nova is fully capable of achieving faster than light velocities, and often does, while traveling through space. However, moving as such speeds while in the atmosphere of a planet would cause devastation to the planet itself, so he travels much slower while on within a planetary atmosphere, generally at supersonic speeds.

Energy Generation: Rider can channel the Nova Force and expel the energy in the form of extremely powerful concussive blasts that he often uses in combat situations. He also can manipulate the energy to create hyperspace portals in space, though it takes a good deal of concentration to do so.

Xandrian Worldmind: Aside from housing the Nova Force, Rider is also the host of the Xandrian Worldmind. The Worldmind is a sentient collective created to govern and maintain all forms of Xandrian culture. The Worldmind contains all knowledge collected by the Xandrian people including art, science, history, and philosophy. Rider can access any aspect of this technology by communicating with the Worldmind verbally or mentally. As a result, The Worldmind often contacts Rider unbidden and usually offers advice, instructions, insights, recommendations, and even criticisms. Rider's bond with the Worldmind is highly useful, however, also in the fact that the Worldmind is crucial in helping Rider maintain self control when tapping into the full might of the Nova Force.

Abilities

Rider is a formidable combatant, though he is naturally more comfortable at using the Nova Force's energy generating capabilities during combat. However, he can access the Xandrian Worldmind and instantly gain knowledge of Xandrian hand to hand combat techniques which he sometimes uses in combination with his energy powers.

Strength level

superhuman strength to lift well in excess of 100 tons.

Weaknesses

Rider uses the Xandrian Worldmind to help maintain his mood and mental stability. Without it, utilizing the full power of the Nova Force would overcome Rider's mental stability, causing a severe mental breakdown and possibly insanity.

Paraphernalia

Equipment:

Nova Corps Uniform: To further stabilize Rider during his manipulation of the Nova Force, the Worldmind has specifically modified Rider's Nova uniform. The material of the uniform helps to contain and regulate some of Rider's powers by siphoning some of the energies of the Nova Force. The uniform also contains inhibitors that can manipulate various hormones in Rider's brain for the purpose of moderating his moods as needed. The uniform also has self-repairing capabilities, allowing it to seal rips and tears on it's own. As with past models, the helmet Rider uses with his current uniform resembles and feels like cloth when he isn't wearing it, though it adopts a metallic look and feel when he wears it.

Transportation: Nova, in his responsibility of "Guardian of the Terran Sector" for the Xandar Space Corps, controls a satellite orbiting the planet. Flight under own power. While member of the New Warriors vehicles supplied by Dwayne Taylor.
Weapons: None known.

Notes

No special notes.

Trivia

His costume's internal computer includes a music library.
Nova shares the nickname "Buckethead" with fellow Warrior Darkhawk.
Nova has been mad at the Avengers for not joining and refused to be shown up by them, often taking the situation to his own hands. He has been called a "bush-league trying to make it in the majors" by one of the committee who were making the show.

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Links and References

↑ Mentioned in Nova #22 volume #1. Aunt Ellen owns a beach house the Rider family visits.
↑ in New Warriors Vol 1 #1

[0] Mentioned in Nova #22 volume #1. Aunt Ellen owns a beach house the Rider family visits.

[1] New Warriors Vol 1 #1

[1]

[2]

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