Tired of Waiting on Marvel’s TV Show? Read These Nova Comics

After years of speculation and hope, Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige confirmed in July 2024 that a Nova TV series was indeed in development, with an estimated release window of “three or four years out.” For longtime comic readers, this news was cause for celebration — finally, one of Marvel’s most beloved cosmic heroes would get his moment to shine alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel. However, those celebration rockets were quickly grounded when Marvel reportedly hit pause on several Disney+ projects in February 2025, including the Nova series. This decision came amid Marvel’s shift in television production strategy, moving away from treating streaming shows like big-budget movies and instead developing content that feels “more like television,” according to streaming chief Brad Winderbaum. 

While the Nova project isn’t officially cancelled, fans hoping to see Richard Rider zooming through the cosmos now face an indefinite wait with no clear timeline for when (or if) the Human Rocket will finally blast off into the MCU. The silver lining to this disappointing news is that Nova has a rich comic book history spanning nearly five decades. Since his 1976 debut, Richard Rider has evolved from a teenage hero in the vein of Spider-Man to one of Marvel’s most powerful cosmic characters with some of the publisher’s most epic storylines. As such, the comics provide everything fans are hoping to see in the TV adaptation: spectacular space battles, complex character development, and storylines that balance street-level heroics with universe-spanning adventures.

[RELATED: Is Marvel Killing Nova After His Disney+ Series Was Delayed?]

Whether you’re looking to understand why Nova has such a dedicated fanbase or simply need something to fill the void while waiting for Marvel Studios to get its act together, these five comic arcs deliver the cosmic experience that MCU fans have been denied for far too long.

The Man Called Nova

The perfect introduction to Richard Rider comes from his original 1976 series by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Buscema, collected as The Man Called Nova. Published during Marvel’s Bronze Age expansion, this origin story introduces Richard Rider as an ordinary high school student from Long Island who receives extraordinary cosmic powers when dying Nova Corps member Rhomann Dey selects him as his successor. Unlike many teen heroes, Richard’s initial reaction isn’t excitement but confusion and fear. He struggles to understand his new abilities while battling self-doubt, creating a relatable protagonist navigating the difficult balance between normal teenage life and superhero responsibilities. 

Wolfman’s character-driven approach captures the “Spider-Man in space” concept that defined early Nova stories, with Richard facing both mundane challenges like high school bullies and cosmic threats such as the Sphinx. Buscema’s dynamic art brings energy to Richard’s transformation, with iconic visuals establishing Nova’s distinct look that has remained largely unchanged for decades. The collection also establishes Nova’s connections to the broader Marvel Universe while maintaining its unique voice, laying the foundation for the character who would eventually become one of Marvel’s most important cosmic figures.

Annihilation — The Rise of Nova

Published in 2006, Annihilation stands as the definitive modern Nova story—the moment Richard Rider transformed from a second-tier hero into one of Marvel’s premier cosmic powerhouses. Writer Keith Giffen and artist Andrea DiVito orchestrated this revitalization during Marvel’s massive cosmic crossover, placing Nova at the center of the universe’s desperate fight for survival. When the insectoid Annihilation Wave led by Annihilus decimates Xandar and nearly eradicates the entire Nova Corps, Richard suddenly discovers himself as the sole survivor. In a desperate moment, he absorbs the entire Nova Force and the Xandarian Worldmind into his body, exponentially amplifying his powers while bearing the psychological burden of a dying civilization. 

DiVito’s artwork brilliantly conveys both the scale of cosmic destruction and the personal toll on Richard, while Giffen’s script balances space opera spectacle with intimate character moments. The genius of this storyline lies in how it transforms Nova’s previous limitations into his greatest strength—his human perspective becomes essential when confronting universe-ending threats. Through tense confrontations alongside characters like Drax, Star-Lord, and Gamora, readers witness Richard’s evolution from Earth-bound hero to strategic military leader. This storyline not only rescued Nova from relative obscurity but established the foundation for Marvel’s cosmic renaissance that would eventually influence the MCU’s space-based adventures.

Nova (Vol. 4)

Following the catastrophic events of Annihilation, the 2007-2010 Nova (Vol. 4) run by the writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (collectively known as DnA) with artist Paul Pelletier explores Richard Rider’s determined quest to rebuild the devastated Nova Corps. This arc finds Richard wrestling with dual identities—as both the last Nova Centurion and the reluctant vessel for the Xandarian Worldmind artificial intelligence. Tension emerges when the Worldmind begins secretly recruiting new Corpsmen without Richard’s consent, creating a fascinating conflict between Rider’s human compassion and the A.I.’s coldly logical perspective on survival. 

Pelletier’s detailed artwork excels at depicting both the grandeur of space and the subtle emotional moments, particularly in scenes where Richard confronts the reality of being both commander and potential threat to the very institution he’s rebuilding. The narrative brilliantly examines themes rarely explored in superhero comics: institutional reform, the ethics of authority, and whether traditions should be preserved or evolved during reconstruction. The introduction of Richard’s brother Robbie into the Corps adds personal stakes to the cosmic drama, forcing our hero to question his own judgment when family becomes involved. Unlike typical hero narratives focused solely on external threats, this storyline delves into the administrative challenges and ethical dilemmas of leadership, revealing a matured Richard who must reconcile idealism with the practical requirements of command.

War of Kings — Nova’s Diplomatic Crisis

The 2009 cosmic crossover War of Kings, crafted by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with artists Andrea DiVito and Kev Walker, thrusts Richard Rider into an unprecedented interstellar conflict that tests both his combat abilities and diplomatic skills. As war erupts between the Shi’ar Empire, led by the dangerously unstable Vulcan, and the Kree Empire now under the rule of Black Bolt’s Inhumans, Nova occupies a precarious position unlike any he’s faced before. 

DiVito and Walker’s artwork spectacularly renders vast space battles and planetary devastation with horrifying beauty, emphasizing the catastrophic stakes facing billions of innocent lives caught in the crossfire. The story distinguishes itself from previous cosmic narratives by positioning Richard not as a soldier against a clear villain, but as a peacekeeper attempting to maintain neutrality while preventing civilian casualties across multiple star systems. His confrontations with Vulcan showcase both Nova’s tremendous powers and his strategic mind, as he attempts to outthink rather than simply overpower his adversary. Through Nova’s increasingly desperate interventions, the story explores complex questions about sovereignty, intervention ethics, and whether one person—even one with the power of a Nova Prime—can truly make a difference in conflicts of galactic scale.

The Thanos Imperative — Nova’s Ultimate Sacrifice

The Thanos Imperative, published in 2010, represents the emotional pinnacle of Richard Rider’s heroic journey, culminating in what appeared to be his final sacrifice alongside Star-Lord. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, paired with the visually striking artwork of Miguel Sepulveda and Brad Walker, crafted a six-issue limited series that serves as the climax of years of cosmic storytelling. When a reality tear known as the Fault threatens to allow entities from the Cancerverse—a twisted dimension where death has been conquered at a horrific price—to invade our universe, Nova and the Guardians of the Galaxy mount a desperate last stand. 

Sepulveda and Walker’s artwork creates stunning visual contrasts between the vibrant Marvel Universe and the corrupted, organic horror of the Cancerverse, using shifting color palettes and intricate details to emphasize the wrongness of this death-free reality. The narrative brilliantly focuses on the evolving friendship between Richard and Peter Quill, showcasing how these two very different heroes have grown to trust each other implicitly. Their final moments, trapped in the collapsing Cancerverse with an enraged Thanos, represent one of the most powerful scenes in Marvel’s cosmic canon. Through Nova’s willing sacrifice, Abnett and Lanning explore profound themes of mortality, heroism, and what it means to face an enemy that has fundamentally rejected the natural cycle of life and death. Though Richard would eventually return years later, this storyline demonstrated why Nova deserves recognition as one of Marvel’s greatest heroes—a man who faces impossible odds without hesitation when the universe hangs in the balance.

What’s your favorite Nova storyline from the comics? Do you think Marvel will eventually bring the Human Rocket to the MCU? Let us know in the comments!