First off--I absolutely love the cover for Nova #2. The first one was stellar as well, but Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines, & Mart Gracia out did themselves with the second issue. I particularly love the background image. While paying homage to classic Science Fiction it manages to also respect older space opera Marvel titles. It is very reminiscent of late 90s Infinity Gems/Gauntlet and Warlock comics; it strikes a nostalgic chord, which I very much enjoyed. It is one of the many reasons that this title has skyrocketed to the top of my Marvel NOW! pull list.
The narrative has some amazing symmetry to it, whether intentional or not it is always appreciated due to the cadence created for the reader. Loeb starts the second issue right where the last left off, with Rocket Raccoonand Gamora standing over Sam Alexander’s bedside. Sam (still new to the whole Nova gig) is caught completely off guard and mistakenly calls Rocket Raccoon a “Raccoon,” which leads to one of the more amusing moments of the issue. I was a tad disappointed thatRocket Raccoon and Gamora didn’t have a larger role to play in this issue, but this isn’t necessarily a critique in the strictest sense, it is the comic fanboy in me wanting to jump the gun rather than allowing the story to naturally build and climax as Loeb intends it.
After the brief tussle between Rocket Raccoon and Sam, the issue dives into the typical young hero finding out about his new found powers. For those not familiar withNova this issue provides excellent insight into his basic skill set. Throughout the years various Novas have expanded upon these rudimentary abilities, which have resulted in some very interesting and clever combinations, but for Sam he is completely new to the whole affair. However, from a writing standpoint it creates a unique opportunity to alter and change the character’s power set. The series might start off a little slow, because the writer has to simultaneously introduce a new character to a knowledgeable audience as well as introduce a character to his new found powers, but odds are within a couple of issues the character will become more rounded out and the series will become more action-packed than ever.
This issue is definitely about the transformation and development of Sam Alexander into Nova (aka the Human Rocket). It is his origin tale, and getting characters caught up to speed on the ‘things’ bigger than themselves is a difficult task. I always enjoy reading an origins tale to see how the writer tackles this predicament, because the writer has to essentially balance the fact that the audience knows more than the character knows. Loeb is juggling pacing with character building. He needs to keep an audience with a slower narrative, but in the long run it will provide him the foundation to build a ‘new character from the ground up, which will eventually increase the pace.
The beginning and the end of Nova #2 were my favorite portions of the issues, but the fill-in is necessary and I hope readers don’t drop off because it is a bit too slow--Stick around, it will pick up. I think Loeb is doing a brilliant job reeling people in at the end, while character building in the middle.
I give Nova #2 four-out-of-five stars.
(Source: Review: Nova #2 (2013))
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