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Nova: The Human Rocket
Nova: The Human Rocket, Volume 2: Afterburn
Nova's father is still missing, and the only clue to his whereabouts just blasted off into space! So it's time for Sam to follow the trail of a new mystery — one he'll need the Avengers' help to solve! But his place among Earth's Mightiest will put him on the front lines of CIVIL WAR II! Iron Man is his friend and mentor — but that doesn't mean he and Nova see eyehole-to-eyehole. Come to think of it, Sam's no fan of Captain Marvel's stance, either. Awkward! One of the most powerful kids in the galaxy has a lot to learn about himself. Stuck between two sides of a fight he wants no part of, Sam will be forced to make a tough choice. Can he continue as Nova, or is it time to hang up the helmet?
COLLECTS: NOVA (2015) 7-11
COLLECTS: NOVA (2015) 7-11
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2017
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90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 25, 2017
Sam Alexander is Nova the Human Rocket… in dire need of a storyline!
He keeps looking for his dad, gets momentarily drawn into Civil War II (but not really), fights Mole Monster who’s the offspring of Mole Man, then meets a classic member of the Nova Corps. Yeah, it’s really, really… zzz…
I like Sam, he’s a good kid with potential, but for whatever reason Sean Ryan does practically nothing with him in this book so I was surprisingly bored reading it. Also, can we put a stop to all this “oh the troubles with juggling superhero life and home life” crap too? It’s repetitive and uninteresting at this point.
Cory Smith’s artwork and layouts on the Worldmind issues that close out the book were imaginative. There’s really nothing else to say about this one!
If you enjoyed the first Nova book like me, prepare for a letdown with the follow-up! Hopefully Ryan and co. figure out what the hell they’re doing in the next volume.
He keeps looking for his dad, gets momentarily drawn into Civil War II (but not really), fights Mole Monster who’s the offspring of Mole Man, then meets a classic member of the Nova Corps. Yeah, it’s really, really… zzz…
I like Sam, he’s a good kid with potential, but for whatever reason Sean Ryan does practically nothing with him in this book so I was surprisingly bored reading it. Also, can we put a stop to all this “oh the troubles with juggling superhero life and home life” crap too? It’s repetitive and uninteresting at this point.
Cory Smith’s artwork and layouts on the Worldmind issues that close out the book were imaginative. There’s really nothing else to say about this one!
If you enjoyed the first Nova book like me, prepare for a letdown with the follow-up! Hopefully Ryan and co. figure out what the hell they’re doing in the next volume.
February 2, 2019
"The kind of character kids can aspire to be." -- ComicCrusaders.com rear cover blurb
After finishing Volume 2: Afterburn I agree with that sentiment. This brief series on Sam Alexander's Nova did a good job hypothesizing the probable stress of having a teenage superhero alter ego. (See also contemporaries Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel and Miles Morales' Spider-Man.) Although the stories weren't especially profound, there was enough action - such as Sam finally being called in to assist with the Avengers, and being invited to the after-party (who knew?!) - to keep things moving along. The scenes of Sam's family and friends worrying but standing by him were particularly nice.
After finishing Volume 2: Afterburn I agree with that sentiment. This brief series on Sam Alexander's Nova did a good job hypothesizing the probable stress of having a teenage superhero alter ego. (See also contemporaries Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel and Miles Morales' Spider-Man.) Although the stories weren't especially profound, there was enough action - such as Sam finally being called in to assist with the Avengers, and being invited to the after-party (who knew?!) - to keep things moving along. The scenes of Sam's family and friends worrying but standing by him were particularly nice.
March 10, 2018
The writing in this book is so choppy. The first issue ends with Sam headed to space to finally find his dad. Only to turn to the next page to find Sam in New York fighting the Celestial from Civil War II. Apparently, Marvel doesn't employ editors anymore and they hope you'll just have forgotten the previous issue. Sam mopes around some more contemplating if he should remain Nova because all his super-hero friends won't call him back. Then, Sam heads to space, this time to find out how his helmet works. In the last issue we have more poor editing as it begins with the school year ending. Then, towards the end of the issue Sam meets up with his friends and tells them he'll see them at school tomorrow when he leaves. Ryan can't even keep what little story there is straight in his own head. This series was a major disappointment after the previous one.
December 5, 2017
Sam is a awesome character. I really would love to write him one day.
So this is a mix match. It starts off with Nova trying to figure out who he is and what he is. After seeing the death of someone he decides he'll finally go find his dad. He HAS to. However, what happens? Oh you guessed in. Civil War 2. Which derails the poor kid and gives a boring take of what someone outside of the heroes war would do. He verses Mole Man...yeah. Then we get, probably the best part of the book, him going into space to find his father. He then meets a wonderworld thing or something and it forms into someone and it's reveal is a surprise!
Good: I loved the ending. I also enjoy Sam's interactions with his sister and mother. The stuff with his friends was even good. Also Captain coming in was a cool little throw back. I also enjoyed the start of the volume.
Bad: The Civil War 2 stuff was so jarring and weird I did not like at all. Also the pacing is jumping ALL over the place. Poor sam gets no straight shot. Also the art sometimes is amazing, other times looks like shit. It's amazing the shift.
So this is a mix match. It starts off with Nova trying to figure out who he is and what he is. After seeing the death of someone he decides he'll finally go find his dad. He HAS to. However, what happens? Oh you guessed in. Civil War 2. Which derails the poor kid and gives a boring take of what someone outside of the heroes war would do. He verses Mole Man...yeah. Then we get, probably the best part of the book, him going into space to find his father. He then meets a wonderworld thing or something and it forms into someone and it's reveal is a surprise!
Good: I loved the ending. I also enjoy Sam's interactions with his sister and mother. The stuff with his friends was even good. Also Captain coming in was a cool little throw back. I also enjoyed the start of the volume.
Bad: The Civil War 2 stuff was so jarring and weird I did not like at all. Also the pacing is jumping ALL over the place. Poor sam gets no straight shot. Also the art sometimes is amazing, other times looks like shit. It's amazing the shift.
April 5, 2017
This book never really re-captured its pre-Secret Wars energy but I'm still sad to see it cancelled. I really like Sam as the new Nova and I'm sorry to see him lose his own book, even if I will still see him in the Avengers and the Champions team books. It would seem nobody is safe from the Scissor-Man...
February 4, 2017
I sincerely don't know if this volume is a prime example of a crossover event derailing a storyline, editorial interference, or a creator with a short attention span and/or poor planning abilities. See, the first issue ends with Sam blasting out into space, promising that he won't come home until he's found his father. The next issue, he's back on Earth, and nobody for the entire rest of the book mentions that he was going to find his dad. Instead, we just move on to a different story as if nothing in the first issue had happened. Which would be much more annoying, if that story weren't actually fairly good, and wasn't nicely suited for Sam.
October 21, 2020
This is really uninspired. The issues don’t mesh at all, and the events don’t even make total sense together. He flies into space to find his father at the end of issue #7, and then at the beginning of issue #8, he’s in NY fighting with the Avengers. It’s stupid and shows a complete lack of editing.
The art is ok. There are two cameos. One was awesome and unexpected, the other was boring and completely predictable. It was only a matter of time. That first one was ☠️☠️☠️ing cool though.
No need to read this tho
The art is ok. There are two cameos. One was awesome and unexpected, the other was boring and completely predictable. It was only a matter of time. That first one was ☠️☠️☠️ing cool though.
No need to read this tho
January 4, 2021
Man this is a perfect example of how not to collect a book.
Civil War 2, which - it could be any big event really, just completely throws off this book's plot. First two issues are about Nova finally making the decision to go look for his dad. So this has been in the workings a while, and its time to put the plan in motion. Next issue: civil war 2. Then when we get back to the regular scheduled series, he is now not looking for his dad and instead doing some other Nova stuff. I mean c'mon, there has to be someone that collects these better, because right now it's pretty annoying to read volumes like this.
The art by John Timms suited the tone well, as it had a good dynamic sense to it that highlighted the more "Nova-esque" moments. I think Timms has a good handle on how the character moves and interacts with the environment, so from the art side, I thought pretty good.
Yeah, editorial carelessness kind of messes up this one. If you're a completionists... I guess check it out?
Civil War 2, which - it could be any big event really, just completely throws off this book's plot. First two issues are about Nova finally making the decision to go look for his dad. So this has been in the workings a while, and its time to put the plan in motion. Next issue: civil war 2. Then when we get back to the regular scheduled series, he is now not looking for his dad and instead doing some other Nova stuff. I mean c'mon, there has to be someone that collects these better, because right now it's pretty annoying to read volumes like this.
The art by John Timms suited the tone well, as it had a good dynamic sense to it that highlighted the more "Nova-esque" moments. I think Timms has a good handle on how the character moves and interacts with the environment, so from the art side, I thought pretty good.
Yeah, editorial carelessness kind of messes up this one. If you're a completionists... I guess check it out?
September 20, 2017
3.5 Stars
Is it time for Sam to hang up his helmet and stop being Nova? Promising his mom that he would use some of summer vacation to go to space and figure out more about his helmet and powers, Sam heads out and eventually meets the Xandarian Worldmind, who not only explains his powers, but takes the form of legendary Nova Richard Rider.
Sam has a few adventures on Earth here, including a Civil War II tie-in (though his leaving and joining the Champions is in the Civil War II main title) and Sam's reveal to his friends.
Overall, a good Volume, but definitely feels like a wrap up before something new.... like Rider's return?
Recommend.
Is it time for Sam to hang up his helmet and stop being Nova? Promising his mom that he would use some of summer vacation to go to space and figure out more about his helmet and powers, Sam heads out and eventually meets the Xandarian Worldmind, who not only explains his powers, but takes the form of legendary Nova Richard Rider.
Sam has a few adventures on Earth here, including a Civil War II tie-in (though his leaving and joining the Champions is in the Civil War II main title) and Sam's reveal to his friends.
Overall, a good Volume, but definitely feels like a wrap up before something new.... like Rider's return?
Recommend.
June 15, 2017
Nova is a cool character who has gotten so caught up in gimmicks and events so often that he hasn’t had any chance to get his own shit done. It’s ruining his series.
The first issue in Nova: The Human Rocket, Volume 2: Afterburn actually does try to continue the story, but is ultimately thrown away when it’s interrupted by Civil War II. Nova literally says good-bye to his mother and blasts off into space – and then on the very first page of the next issue he’s fighting in the Civil War II.
There was also some weird characterization in this book. Nova’s ostracization seems out of character for some of the heroes doing the outcasting – namely Miles Morales and Rogue. Why are they pushing Nova away for no reason? Miles in particular is a sensitive man – I can’t imagine him doing such a thing for anything other than drama/plot.
I did really like the artwork in this one. There are some surprisingly deep and pretty pages for a YA comic.
Ultimately, it’s nice to see Nova’s story make at least a little bit of progress, but it’s not enough to fill up the book, which ends up feeling empty and contrived.
Read more of my reviews (plus cat pics!) on Her Little Book Review.
The first issue in Nova: The Human Rocket, Volume 2: Afterburn actually does try to continue the story, but is ultimately thrown away when it’s interrupted by Civil War II. Nova literally says good-bye to his mother and blasts off into space – and then on the very first page of the next issue he’s fighting in the Civil War II.
There was also some weird characterization in this book. Nova’s ostracization seems out of character for some of the heroes doing the outcasting – namely Miles Morales and Rogue. Why are they pushing Nova away for no reason? Miles in particular is a sensitive man – I can’t imagine him doing such a thing for anything other than drama/plot.
I did really like the artwork in this one. There are some surprisingly deep and pretty pages for a YA comic.
Ultimately, it’s nice to see Nova’s story make at least a little bit of progress, but it’s not enough to fill up the book, which ends up feeling empty and contrived.
Read more of my reviews (plus cat pics!) on Her Little Book Review.
March 12, 2020
Sam, aka Nova, has just been accepted into the avengers. Every other super hero hasn't heard of him and avoids him. Sam feels left out, all while his mom is worrying all the time now that she knows Sam is a super hero. Sam is wondering if it's time to hang up the helmet and step down from being a super hero. If you think his superhero life sucks, just wait until you hear about his other other life is. It's the end of school and Sam is trying to connect with his friends but keeps getting the cold shoulder because he won't admit he's Nova to his friends. While he's deep in space searching for his helmet's power source, Sam becomes sure of himself and realizes that he was meant ti be Nova. He eventually tells his friends and everything is good again. I think this was defiantly a low point for Nova, but I think that the story gets better as it progresses. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Marvel or science fiction.
May 8, 2021
This follow-up to the first volume is not great as a Civil War II tie-in, but an interesting character exploration for our young hero. He's still questioning his role in things and if he can really continue as a hero despite being so young.
What was weird was how we had him declaring that he'd dedicate everything to finding his real dad after the clone thing was exposed, but then he appears right back on Earth because the Civil War II event takes over. So that was just odd. I feel like his full feelings about what Captain Marvel was doing made a lot more sense in the other books like Champions than what we got here.
But it was nice to have him have some Worldmind quality time, as this has played a big role in the other Nova books. But yeah, this also could have been a lot better as a narrative.
What was weird was how we had him declaring that he'd dedicate everything to finding his real dad after the clone thing was exposed, but then he appears right back on Earth because the Civil War II event takes over. So that was just odd. I feel like his full feelings about what Captain Marvel was doing made a lot more sense in the other books like Champions than what we got here.
But it was nice to have him have some Worldmind quality time, as this has played a big role in the other Nova books. But yeah, this also could have been a lot better as a narrative.
April 1, 2021
The first chapter ends with Sam flying off into space, swearing to find his father no matter what. But he's immediately back in the second chapter doing Civil War II stuff. Sounds like pure nonsense? Not completely... that particular story thread actually plays out in All-New, All-Different Avengers (Vol. 2), although not in an especially satisfying way. Instead of making it seem like someone in editorial went mad, or the writer just not caring, it would've been nice to get just a short writeup about what happens or at least a blurb about where to read that story.
I actually kind of liked the fact that he's kept on the peripherals of Civil War II and doesn't really know what's going on. Ends with a pretty decent final arc.
I actually kind of liked the fact that he's kept on the peripherals of Civil War II and doesn't really know what's going on. Ends with a pretty decent final arc.
October 21, 2022
First, Nova goes after the people who cloned his dad. Why are they cloning his dad and no one else? Shrugging emoji. Then Sam goes off in search of the power source for his helmet. I'm fully expecting him to find a giant green latern battery, but instead he finds the Worldmind. Sort of.
Some pretty half-hearted writing here. We already have to deal with the fact that Sam can fly anywhere in the universe, have an adventure and get back on the same night, but now we get some Bendis-paced dialog where Sam asks the Worldmind about Richard Rider over and over and eventually the Worldmind says "Oh, that Richard Rider."
Some pretty half-hearted writing here. We already have to deal with the fact that Sam can fly anywhere in the universe, have an adventure and get back on the same night, but now we get some Bendis-paced dialog where Sam asks the Worldmind about Richard Rider over and over and eventually the Worldmind says "Oh, that Richard Rider."
May 20, 2019
I kind of don't remember what happens in Volume 2. The from Volume 1 comes back and has, like a redemption story.
I think I'm still unhappy about how the first volume of this reboot completely nullified the from the previous volume. Seems like an unnecessary retcon. Just find a new quest for the main character!
I think I'm still unhappy about how the first volume of this reboot completely nullified the from the previous volume. Seems like an unnecessary retcon. Just find a new quest for the main character!
April 13, 2023
This sort of feels like it’s jammed between Marvel events and is a smaller story. But I felt really invested in Sam as a character in this one. His struggles seemed real and his dilemma with his social life and superhero life was similarly affecting. His conversation with Richard Rider is what I’ve been waiting for, and it was also pretty good. Plus that epilogue. Really excited to see where this goes from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2016
First like 70% of my comic reads I read this as single issues, in either print or digital. In this case I read them in digital.
I have really enjoyed Sam Alexander as Nova and I hope he has a prominent place in the forthcoming (following?) Nova series out in a couple of months.
I have some gripes, but I'll be back to this later.
I have really enjoyed Sam Alexander as Nova and I hope he has a prominent place in the forthcoming (following?) Nova series out in a couple of months.
I have some gripes, but I'll be back to this later.
October 24, 2024
Sam's latest series ends and its mostly a letdown. There were so many plot threads that just die off. His inner turmoil with what's going on with his father, mother, and friends was really good though. The book really didn't have the heart that the last volume had. The art is fine. Overall, Sam started strong and doesn't get treated well here.
June 20, 2017
I like Sam Alexander a lot, but these issues kind of felt like they were just treading water, being Civil War II adjacent and all. Still, we got a neat The Captain appearance and a pretty interesting cliffhanger.
February 22, 2017
The story does get a little derailed because of Civil War 2...I'm not coming back, I'm back!
Teen action fun.
Teen action fun.
June 16, 2017
The Captain!
June 19, 2017
Buena serie de Sam como Nova. Me encantará ver más de él, sobre todo, en Champions.
Final bastante interesante que abre una nueva etapa.
Final bastante interesante que abre una nueva etapa.
June 28, 2017
Poor art. Very good story.
March 4, 2018
Read as single issues
December 17, 2017
I’m a pretty big fan of nova (as in, Rich Rider’s Nova) so I really wanted to like Sam’s version of Nova. Despite my best attempts I find myself a bit disinterested in the story. Interestingly I think I like the character fine, it’s the plots (or lack thereof) that I find lackluster. I would love to see a Nova story with a heavy hitter author writing the storyline for him. That would be interesting.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
January 13, 2017
Amazing absolutely jaw dropping. This is way I read comics. The plot of sams missing father is made some what clear and other answers lead to a return of a lost character. And of course the art just pops off the page with a high energy plot that breezy fast paced and a absolutely fun read nova just keeps getting better.
April 10, 2017
Liked. But now I see it has been cancelled. Too bad, for it hasn't really found its way yet. I hope Sam makes it into some team that can further his story.
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