HOME | DD

Description
Nova is one of those characters that I feel really haven't been used to their potential. I came across Nova very shortly after I first came across Spider-Man, and both remain favorite characters of mine to this day.

Here's a guy called the "human rocket"-- of COURSE a four-year-old would love that idea. I enjoyed his original series, and when he reappeared years later in New Warriors? I was in heaven. Sure, he wasn't acting like "Peter Parker lite" in that book, but it was NOVA! When he put on his original outfit 8 or so issues in, I was ecstatic. That blue and gold ensemble just looks so freakin' cool.

Before long, he had a short 90s series. I missed all of that. A few years ago, though, I picked up an issue in a 25 cent box... and I wasn't impressed. THAT was the epitome of the bad 90s comic, not Image. At least at Image, there were some fun series with some skill level involved. On Nova, it was just a horrid mess with a mulleted hero and gritted teeth.

Flash forward to the Erik Larsen-penned Nova series-- what was that , 1998? 2000? Somewhere around there. I really enjoyed that. Classic Nova, although most of the artwork from whoever it was ended up being a huge step UP, but not really BRILLIANT. I think an Erik Larsen-drawn Nova would have been cool, especially with his action-packed scripts.

Oh, and what do I think of the new uniform he's sporting in the current series? Meh. The plot tries to explain it, and I like the hook of the series for the most part... but it's yet another Marvel character whose uniform has been overcomplicated with "stuff" and seams. Geez, people-- I don't notice YOUR seams even up CLOSE and yet every superhero on the market has an outfit with seams more prominent than their logos. Ugh. Nice seeing Nova back, though.

I'm currently scrounging through dealer booths at cons for the back issues of his original series. It's been a lot of fun reading the issues I never had the chance to as a child.

So, Nova-- you've had a rocky history with some great moments and... well, some periods where you had a campy, poorly-drawn mullet. Here's hoping the best for your future as you rocket through the skies of the Marvel Universe.

- jeremy

Description
Nova is one of those characters that I feel really haven't been used to their potential. I came across Nova very shortly after I first came across Spider-Man, and both remain favorite characters of mine to this day.

Here's a guy called the "human rocket"-- of COURSE a four-year-old would love that idea. I enjoyed his original series, and when he reappeared years later in New Warriors? I was in heaven. Sure, he wasn't acting like "Peter Parker lite" in that book, but it was NOVA! When he put on his original outfit 8 or so issues in, I was ecstatic. That blue and gold ensemble just looks so freakin' cool.

Before long, he had a short 90s series. I missed all of that. A few years ago, though, I picked up an issue in a 25 cent box... and I wasn't impressed. THAT was the epitome of the bad 90s comic, not Image. At least at Image, there were some fun series with some skill level involved. On Nova, it was just a horrid mess with a mulleted hero and gritted teeth.

Flash forward to the Erik Larsen-penned Nova series-- what was that , 1998? 2000? Somewhere around there. I really enjoyed that. Classic Nova, although most of the artwork from whoever it was ended up being a huge step UP, but not really BRILLIANT. I think an Erik Larsen-drawn Nova would have been cool, especially with his action-packed scripts.

Oh, and what do I think of the new uniform he's sporting in the current series? Meh. The plot tries to explain it, and I like the hook of the series for the most part... but it's yet another Marvel character whose uniform has been overcomplicated with "stuff" and seams. Geez, people-- I don't notice YOUR seams even up CLOSE and yet every superhero on the market has an outfit with seams more prominent than their logos. Ugh. Nice seeing Nova back, though.

I'm currently scrounging through dealer booths at cons for the back issues of his original series. It's been a lot of fun reading the issues I never had the chance to as a child.

So, Nova-- you've had a rocky history with some great moments and... well, some periods where you had a campy, poorly-drawn mullet. Here's hoping the best for your future as you rocket through the skies of the Marvel Universe.

- jeremy