Sam Alexander has led a busy life as Nova, but after all of his intergalactic gallivanting, is it time to hang up the helmet?

I’ll confess I haven’t read the new Nova series and barely know Sam Alexander as a character. What little I’ve read I’ve enjoyed, but it’s never been a series that has really been one thats stood out in the avalanche of weekly releases. From what I’ve read, it’s completely enjoyable and there’s a niche it absolutely fills.

So, with that being said, I dove in to Nova #11 with a pretty clean state not going what was going on. There’s a lot in there that new readers will like and there’s a lot there for long time fans of the Nova character, especially with a twist and reveal at the end. I’m not going to reveal what that twist is, but it’s one aimed at fans of classic Nova… read between the lines with that.

Writer Sean Ryan has done a good job giving us a character who feels like he’s really struggling with his role. Sam is wondering can he balance being a hero, not having his mother worrying about him, and also having friends. It’s a twist on the same sort of angst that we’ve seen in classic Spider-Man stories. And that’s what this issue felt like, Spidey sitting down and talking things through with the ghost of Uncle Ben. In this case Sam is talking to the computer that houses all of the knowledge of the past Nova Corps. It’s a cute story, but nothing that feels really new, it’s just a semi-new thing for this character. And with how it’s presented it feels like it might be a good entry point for new readers.

The art by Cory Smith is solid. This really stood out to me. The art jumps and really takes on the youthful feel of the main character. There’s a certain energy about it that flies off of the page.

This one is definitely one for Nova fans, especially classic Nova…

Story: Sean Ryan Art: Cory Smith
Story: 7.15 Art: 8.05 Overall: 7.35 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

TWO NOVAS?!?! Sam Alexander’s missing father is finally back and the two are making adventure a family business. With their Nova helmets that enable them to fly and shoot energy beams, they’re policing the Milky Way with their Nova Corps of two. But is everything what it seems? And if that weren’t enough, Sam is also now an Avenger!

Sam’s father is back? When did that happen? Going in to NOVA #1 from writer Sean Ryan and artist Cory Smith, I couldn’t help but feel like I was completely missing something.

The issue is more like a rather mundane life of Sam and Jesse, and mundane is the key word. Nothing really happens. A few mysteries are set up for down the road, but there’s a gas main explosion and that’s about it. The comic is just, boring is the the best word for it.

I remember reading the beginning of the previous volume and there was some youthful energy to it. With this newest volume, and the introduction of Sam’s dad, the story has gotten really boring taking on a suburban vibe to it all. If done up for laughs, or commentary about the monotony of life, things may have been better, but the story just is and gives me very little reason to return. The end is about it for me.

Cory Smith’s art is decent with the best part being the use of movement and angles in panels. Smith also mixes up the shapes and sizes of characters giving a nice variety of looks that feels diverse. But, there’s some shaky parts for me that had me take some second looks at panels. It’s good though generally.

Overall, the comic just lacked excitement for me. That’s it really. For a first issue, I’m hoping for something to grab me, and make me want to come back, and other than that last panel, the issue lacked it for me. The suburbs have a reputation of lacking excitement, and this superhero family in the suburbs embodies that.

Story: Sean Ryan Art: Cory Smith
Story: 6 Art: 7 Overall: 6 Recommendation: Pass