Sam Alexander first appeared inMarvel Point One #1 (November 2011), and was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness. He first appeared in theMarvel Point Oneone-shot in November 2011 before starring in a solo series beginning in February 2013.
Sam Alexander is a sixteen-year-old living inCarefree, Arizona, with his father, mother, and little sister. His father is always drunk and often talks about his supposed life as a Nova Centurion, and shirks his duties as a janitor at his son's school. When Sam comes home from school to find his father missing, he accidentally injures himself and wakes up in a hospital. There,Rocket Raccoon andGamora reveal Sam's father really was in the Nova Corps.[1] After putting on his father's helmet, Sam travels to the moon, meetingUatu theWatcher, who reveals an invasion fleet of alien ships belonging to theChitauri. Upon returning to Earth, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora train him and tell him to scout the fleet.[2][3]
Sometime later, Sam is on a mission to warn planets in its path thatDark Phoenix is coming for them.[4] He crashes on Earth, but is able to deliver the warning to theAvengers.[5] After recovering, Nova joins theAvengers and the X-Men againstCyclops, who has become the new Dark Phoenix after Jean.[6]
In "Infinity", Sam learns from his crush, Carrie, that she knows his secret identity. Shocked, he flies into the sky, but accidentally removes his helmet and is rendered comatose. He wakes up toJustice andSpeedball, who recruit him into theNew Warriors. He next faces off against Kaldera, an agent ofProxima Midnight, and defeats her in combat. Sam becomes cocky and prideful and begins to feel above the New Warriors and disregard his mother's rules. He gets into an argument with Carrie and gets mad at Justice and Speedball. Sam speaks to Uatu, who gives him advice, then returns to Earth to agree to his mother's rules and join the New Warriors.[7]At the start of the "Original Sin" storyline, Sam trains with Uatu at the latter's base on the Moon. Uatu reveals that Jesse Alexander is alive and Sam leaves, happy with the information he just learned.[8]
During "The Black Vortex" storyline, Sam takes possession of the eponymous artifact in an attempt to stopThane,J'son, and the Slaughter Lords from obtaining it. After his sister Kaelynn and theCollector both attempt to take the Black Vortex, Sam leaves Earth to give the Vortex to theGuardians of the Galaxy. However, he is captured by Thane, who takes the Vortex for himself.[9]
Nova briefly becomes a member of the Avengers alongsideSpider-Man (Miles Morales) andMs. Marvel (Kamala Khan).[10][11] Following the "Civil War II" event, Nova, Spider-Man, and Ms. Marvel quit the Avengers and found a new incarnation of theChampions.[12]
Sam Alexander wears a helmet that gives him access to the Nova Force, which grants him superhuman strength and durability, flight, energy projection, telekinesis, force fields, universal translation, and the ability to breathe underwater and survive in space.[13]
Tony Guerrero ofComic Vine gaveNova #1 a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, saying, "As a Richard Rider fan, I wasn't thrilled over the idea of a series starring a different Nova. Jeph Loeb does a good job in introducing who the character is and where he comes from. The version of Sam Alexander here is thankfully different than what is seen on the animatedUltimate Spider-Man series. As a first issue, we get the basics, we are introduced to Sam and get an idea how he becomes Nova. What we don't know is if the series will be based in space, on Earth or both. Ed McGuinness' art is great as he always manages to capture and depict big action scenes. We're off to a great start. I was hesitant about actually liking a Nova series with a different Nova but I have to admit I'm hooked so far."[18] Benjamin Bailey ofIGN gaveNova #1 a grade of 7.6 out of 10, writing, "If it's a fresh, new tale you are looking for, Nova probably isn't for you. You've read this comic before, no doubt. That said, if you just want a fun, classic-feeling adventure, then go ahead and give this series a shot. Sure, it copies countless other stories, but it copies them very well and with a bit of its own style and flair."[19]
Alexander Jones ofComicsBeat wrote, "Sean Ryan's depiction of Sam Alexander has compelled me to keep reading this series. I love that the book has a sentimental value owed to Jeph Loeb's son Sam, and I love that Marvel has such a young hero. The art direction actually fits better for this series than I first realized. Verdict: This is a strong first showing. I'm happy to read what's next."[23]
Tony Guerrero ofComic Vine gaveNova #1 a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "What could be better than a comic series with Nova? How about a comic series with two Novas? New and old fans can rejoice as the adventures of Sam Alexander continue alongside the return another character. Jeff Loveness and Ramon Perez are giving the two characters clear and distinct voices. The art and color creates a good atmosphere and tone for the characters. With the questions raised here, there's definitely plenty of reasons to come back for more."[28]
Sam Alexander / Nova appears inUltimate Spider-Man, voiced byLogan Miller.[29][30][31] This version is an orphan and the last of theNova Corps after former memberTitus killed them to claim their helmets. Subsequently, he was taken in by theGuardians of the Galaxy and trained byRocket Raccoon before becoming aS.H.I.E.L.D.trainee on Earth. Throughout the first two seasons, Alexander serves as a rival to fellow traineeSpider-Man. In the third season, he becomesNova Prime while fighting Titus and theChitauri. In the fourth season, Alexander leaves the team to helpNick Fury protectMadame Web before returning in the series finale "Graduation Day" for the eponymous ceremony.
Sam Alexander / Nova appears inGuardians of the Galaxy, voiced again by Logan Miller.[32][31] This version learned of the Nova Corps from his father, Jesse Alexander, before the latter disappeared while trying to captureThanos. Following this, Sam obtains a Nova Corps helmet after it mysteriously appears in his home and spends years searching for Jesse before eventually reuniting with him onTitan.
^Wells, Zeb (w), Barberi, Carlo;López, David (p), Livesay, John; López, David; Pallot, Terry (i), Curiel, David (col). "Chapter Ten: Land and Launch" Nova, vol. 5, no. 10 (January 2014). Marvel Comics.
^Waid, Mark (w), Cheung, Jim; Medina, Paco (p), Morales, Mark; Ortego, Guillermo; Meikis, Dave; Vlasco, Juan; Cheung, Jim (i), Ponsor, Justin (col). "Who Is The Watcher?" Original Sin, no. 0 (June 2014). Marvel Comics.
^Duggan, Gerry (w), Baldeón, David (p), Pallot, Terry (i), Curiel, David (col). "Chapter XXVIII: The Black Vortex" Nova, vol. 5, no. 28 (May 2015). Marvel Comics.
^abcde"Nova / Sam Alexander Voices (Guardians of the Galaxy)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedAugust 13, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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