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Nova (2007)
Nova, Vol. 2: Knowhere
We've seen Richard Rider burnt to a crisp, replaced by a hot Kree soldier, and turned to the dark side. But just wait until you see where we rocket Nova now What is the haunted place known as Knowhere? Who are Xarth's Mightiest Heroes? And why will the new character called Cosmo quickly become one of your favorites? Oh... and what well-known Annihilation characters are hot on Nova's trail? As Nova enters the final phase of his epic quest for the key to defeating the Phalanx, the lone Centurion faces his darkest hour. Past, present, and future clash as the tyrannical techno-fiends make one last attempt to enslave him - in an act that will unravel Richard Rider's life right back to the moment where he first became the man called Nova Plus: A special standalone thriller trapping Nova and Gamora together Allies, lovers, Phalanx puppets - and now the bitterest of enemies Captured together by an alien menace, will the Human Rocket and the Deadliest Woman in the Universe work together to survive, or wind up killing each other instead
Collecting: Nova 8-12, Annual/i>
Collecting: Nova 8-12, Annual/i>
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 5, 2016
It's difficult to complain that this book has suffered from being caught up in the Annihilation Conquest crossover event, when it's more like a sister book than anything else. You will need to read Annihilation Conquest to get the most out of this book, though.
While I really enjoyed about half of this collection, not least because of a fantastic guest appearance by Warlock of the New Mutants (who is one of my favourite Marvel characters) and the introduction of the awesome Cosmo, the other half of the book feels too much like filler to give this any more than three stars.
On the artwork front, Paul Pelletier does a decent job of stepping into Sean Chen's shoes.
While I really enjoyed about half of this collection, not least because of a fantastic guest appearance by Warlock of the New Mutants (who is one of my favourite Marvel characters) and the introduction of the awesome Cosmo, the other half of the book feels too much like filler to give this any more than three stars.
On the artwork front, Paul Pelletier does a decent job of stepping into Sean Chen's shoes.
August 27, 2018
Just wasnt digging this story at all. Not sure if its because I'm very unfamiliar with Novas story but I just didnt seem to care much about him at all. Probably will stop here.
December 5, 2014
Great stuff, and Cosmo is easily the most kick-butt character out of the lot of them.
May 19, 2015
Woot! Knowhere & the Technarchy homeworld Kvch. Pretty great stuff. Should be read #8-#10, Annual #1, #11-#12... then straight to Annilation: Conquest #1-#6 for the big finish! Can you tell I am enjoying these books? Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning... *tip of the hat* to you, sirs!
March 22, 2023
This was good. Nova has some exciting adventures with some cameos from some favorite characters. The Nova Annual found a good way of telling a bit of his origin story, which I wasn't familiar with. I'll keep reading the series.
October 16, 2022
Nunca imaginei que ia gostar tanto do nova. Esse volume é muito bom na primeira metade, focado em knowhere e com a introdução do ótimo cosmo. Porém, a segunda metade decai um pouco, apesar de não se entrelaçar muito com o evento do conquest, esse volume sofre com essa necessidade de se ligar a tudo.
July 29, 2014
... and the story continues. This time our main man, Nova, who has been attacked by a techno virus (that's not a virus that makes you listen to crappy music) that simultaneously attacks him and the AI that he's housing. The AI ends up spending most of its power and mental might to fight of the infection and Nova is depowered as a result.
Then he gets flung to the edge of the universe and meets a psychic dog that helps him uncover the ghosts that are haunting the head of a decapitated celestial that folks had been using as a spaceship.
So, this one was a bit weird. But I guess with cosmic stories weird is okay. I actually enjoyed this more than I had any right too. It had plenty of good art, and a very horror-ish vibe that I dug. Good stuff. Considering how dumb it all sounds when I tried to explain it, it makes me doubly impressed.
Then he gets flung to the edge of the universe and meets a psychic dog that helps him uncover the ghosts that are haunting the head of a decapitated celestial that folks had been using as a spaceship.
So, this one was a bit weird. But I guess with cosmic stories weird is okay. I actually enjoyed this more than I had any right too. It had plenty of good art, and a very horror-ish vibe that I dug. Good stuff. Considering how dumb it all sounds when I tried to explain it, it makes me doubly impressed.
November 19, 2013
I never was a fan of Nova or the Nova Corps. but the character has grown on me and I enjoy his stories more and more. I always have liked the "cosmic" Marvel stories anyways and Marvel has really produced a vast amount of story lines that are "cosmic" in nature recently. This is one more piece of the galactic puzzle in the Marvel universe. I sure have been enjoying these graphic novels lately. They are easy to read and the stories are just as good as the Marvel movies. I also like the artwork...
October 15, 2014
5/5 for Cosmo alone.
March 6, 2018
Reprints Nova (4) #8-12 and Annual #1 (January 2008-June 2008). Nova travels to the edge of the universe and discovers a place called Knowhere. Nova battles to free Knowhere and finds himself on a trip to the Phalanx home planet of Kvch in the hopes of finding a cure to the Techno-Virus that is killing him.
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Nova Volume 2: Knowhere is a space fantasy from Marvel Comics. Following Nova Volume 1: Annihilation—Conquest, the collection features art by Wellington Alves and Paul Pelletier. The issues were also collected as part of Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus.
Nova is one of Marvel’s better titles. The character and art are both interesting enough to feel different than other Marvel comics but still familiar enough to feel like a Spider-Man title.
This collection has ties to Annihilation: Conquest (which was also written by Abnett and Lanning) and finally clears up the who Techno-Virus problem which was beginning to bog down the series. The first part of the story also provides a set-up for Abentt and Lanning’s Guardians of the Galaxy series which uses Knowhere as its base of operations (and utilizes Cosmo, the Luminals, Gamora, and Drax).
The whole Nova Annual/alternate reality issue is a bit of a drag. It basically is a long “What If” issue and that isn’t really fun…plus it is a bit lazy. It drags in a rather interesting story and could have been much more utilized for another “real” adventure…since it was obvious that it wasn’t really happening.
It was nice to see Warlock back in action. He had always been one of my favorites from the New Mutants and this was the closest to the original Warlock he had been in a long time. The Phalanx are always tricky to write and they are so powerful and dangerous that they don’t really make good villains. Warlock was utilized well and the storyline was a good throwback to his origins.
Nova is a great series, but like all great series, there are some weak issues. This collection is no different. The difference is that the average Nova issues are still better than a lot of the other comics out of there. Don’t be afraid that Nova is one of this cosmic books. Richard Rider’s personality does a nice job deriding the cosmic feel. Nova 2: Knowhere is followed by Nova 3: Secret Invasion.
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Nova Volume 2: Knowhere is a space fantasy from Marvel Comics. Following Nova Volume 1: Annihilation—Conquest, the collection features art by Wellington Alves and Paul Pelletier. The issues were also collected as part of Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus.
Nova is one of Marvel’s better titles. The character and art are both interesting enough to feel different than other Marvel comics but still familiar enough to feel like a Spider-Man title.
This collection has ties to Annihilation: Conquest (which was also written by Abnett and Lanning) and finally clears up the who Techno-Virus problem which was beginning to bog down the series. The first part of the story also provides a set-up for Abentt and Lanning’s Guardians of the Galaxy series which uses Knowhere as its base of operations (and utilizes Cosmo, the Luminals, Gamora, and Drax).
The whole Nova Annual/alternate reality issue is a bit of a drag. It basically is a long “What If” issue and that isn’t really fun…plus it is a bit lazy. It drags in a rather interesting story and could have been much more utilized for another “real” adventure…since it was obvious that it wasn’t really happening.
It was nice to see Warlock back in action. He had always been one of my favorites from the New Mutants and this was the closest to the original Warlock he had been in a long time. The Phalanx are always tricky to write and they are so powerful and dangerous that they don’t really make good villains. Warlock was utilized well and the storyline was a good throwback to his origins.
Nova is a great series, but like all great series, there are some weak issues. This collection is no different. The difference is that the average Nova issues are still better than a lot of the other comics out of there. Don’t be afraid that Nova is one of this cosmic books. Richard Rider’s personality does a nice job deriding the cosmic feel. Nova 2: Knowhere is followed by Nova 3: Secret Invasion.
November 2, 2017
Nova was tied into the cosmic events back in the day in such a way that it felt natural and right, both for his book and for the event. This volume doesn’t feel like a throwaway story floating on the wave of something bigger. It feels like an active an integral part of the Nova thread. The fact that it introduces a bunch of things that carry heavy importance in other books later but plays them down is beautiful.
May 10, 2019
Continues the excellent run. Enjoyed Warlock's contributions as well. Now I can finish Annihilation Conquest.
January 16, 2026
Richard Rider is one of the most underrated literally me characters
March 10, 2012
It seems impossible to review this volume without comparing it to the modern Green Lantern stuff. Some of this, I'm sure, is just general resurgence of the cosmic mythology in both universes. But the first couple of issues here have a a set of villains that look just a *little* too much like the Black Lanterns for comfort. I know space zombies weren't invented during Blackest Night, but there are panels here that could have been taken right from the DC stuff--they even have matching black and silver symbols on their chest.
Anyway, other than seeming sort of derivative, this suffers from the usual problems that plague the Marvel universe. (Specifically, an overabundance of me thinking "What exactly is going on here?" and "What exactly are this character's abilities?") Nova, as a protagonist, is sort of a poor-man's Green Lantern. He's a more likeable character (as is specifically pointed out in one chapter here, he was chosen because he's completely average) but his powers are pretty boring--what's more generic than "flying and shooting stuff"? This volume also sees a bunch of bizarre space bad guys with various poorly-defined-but-villainous powers. Nova is also being chased by Gamora and Drax, both of whom have the power to beat people up (apparently), and over in the simultaneous Annihilation:Conquest, Quasar and Adam Warlock are running around, flying and shooting stuff. It all gets very monotonous; very dramatic, but with little explanation to keep my interest.
The introduction of Cosmo, the telepathic Russian spacedog, is totally awesome, harkening back to the silliness of the '70s but in a winking way. Other than that, though, the book remains surprisingly humorless.
Anyway, I'm reading this simultaneously with Annihilation:Conquest since they're so intermingled. Unfortunately, the first 2/3 of this book is of the "some adventures happened along the way" variety; nothing significant, just some very Odyssey-style annoyances. After Nova gets to the phalanx homeworld near the end and hangs out with Warlock, the story gets enjoyable. But too much of the story seems like filler for me. Also, the BIG finale is collected in the Annihilation:Conquest book, so reading this one without that one would be rather unfulfilling.
Anyway, other than seeming sort of derivative, this suffers from the usual problems that plague the Marvel universe. (Specifically, an overabundance of me thinking "What exactly is going on here?" and "What exactly are this character's abilities?") Nova, as a protagonist, is sort of a poor-man's Green Lantern. He's a more likeable character (as is specifically pointed out in one chapter here, he was chosen because he's completely average) but his powers are pretty boring--what's more generic than "flying and shooting stuff"? This volume also sees a bunch of bizarre space bad guys with various poorly-defined-but-villainous powers. Nova is also being chased by Gamora and Drax, both of whom have the power to beat people up (apparently), and over in the simultaneous Annihilation:Conquest, Quasar and Adam Warlock are running around, flying and shooting stuff. It all gets very monotonous; very dramatic, but with little explanation to keep my interest.
The introduction of Cosmo, the telepathic Russian spacedog, is totally awesome, harkening back to the silliness of the '70s but in a winking way. Other than that, though, the book remains surprisingly humorless.
Anyway, I'm reading this simultaneously with Annihilation:Conquest since they're so intermingled. Unfortunately, the first 2/3 of this book is of the "some adventures happened along the way" variety; nothing significant, just some very Odyssey-style annoyances. After Nova gets to the phalanx homeworld near the end and hangs out with Warlock, the story gets enjoyable. But too much of the story seems like filler for me. Also, the BIG finale is collected in the Annihilation:Conquest book, so reading this one without that one would be rather unfulfilling.
March 12, 2014
Following directly on from the end of the first volume, this title collects Nova #8 - 12 and Nova Annual #1. This piece also dives right back into the climax of the Annihilation: Conquest event in a most satisfactory manner. As I'd said in my review of the first volume of Nova, this is definitely a series I could follow. It is inventive, quirky, and a lot of fun.
These issues cover three distinct stories - issues 8 and 9 tell the tale of Nova spending some time in the titular "Knowhere" a strange space station literally at the "end of the Universe", and whose Security in-charge is a telepathic dog called Cosmo. Of course Nova is "teleport-wrecked" here on his way to find a way to battle the Phalanx and head back into Conquest as a deus ex machina - but these issues don't feel frustrating or like filler at all. In fact they reminded me most of how some Doctor Who episodes proceed; with plenty of imaginative concepts and some really fun characters.
The Annual issue sits between the "Knowhere" story-line and events of the Phalanx home world that lead directly into Conquest. It confused me a little. It seems to be about an alternate future, but it also serves as an origin tale for Richard Rider as Nova, as told in flashback. The future Rider is having his flashback in is really grim indeed - with one epic two page spread/ poster/ panel in particular being something fans like me will drool over for several minutes :) You'll know it when you see it! It isn't clarified at all whether the Annual is a "what if" type exercise, or a sign of things to come? Ah well... that can wait!
Because issues 10 - 12 see Nova finally finding some worthy help on the Phalanx home world and in the final few panels in #12, actually seeding his appearance in the final issue of Conquest.
A must-read set of comics that will be appreciated by anyone that like quirky, imaginative stuff!
These issues cover three distinct stories - issues 8 and 9 tell the tale of Nova spending some time in the titular "Knowhere" a strange space station literally at the "end of the Universe", and whose Security in-charge is a telepathic dog called Cosmo. Of course Nova is "teleport-wrecked" here on his way to find a way to battle the Phalanx and head back into Conquest as a deus ex machina - but these issues don't feel frustrating or like filler at all. In fact they reminded me most of how some Doctor Who episodes proceed; with plenty of imaginative concepts and some really fun characters.
The Annual issue sits between the "Knowhere" story-line and events of the Phalanx home world that lead directly into Conquest. It confused me a little. It seems to be about an alternate future, but it also serves as an origin tale for Richard Rider as Nova, as told in flashback. The future Rider is having his flashback in is really grim indeed - with one epic two page spread/ poster/ panel in particular being something fans like me will drool over for several minutes :) You'll know it when you see it! It isn't clarified at all whether the Annual is a "what if" type exercise, or a sign of things to come? Ah well... that can wait!
Because issues 10 - 12 see Nova finally finding some worthy help on the Phalanx home world and in the final few panels in #12, actually seeding his appearance in the final issue of Conquest.
A must-read set of comics that will be appreciated by anyone that like quirky, imaginative stuff!
November 15, 2016
Knowhere (Nova #8-9). Right in the middle of Conquest and DnA introduces Knowhere. Yowza! The concept of the place is cool and Cosmo is cool, but we don't actually get a sense of the society yet due to the chaos. And the story itself is a fight against an otherwise unknown beasty [6+/10].
Vore (Nova #10). This is a great model for Nova: picaresque stories of dangers across the galaxy. The weird environ makes for a fun story, but it's the personal interactions with Gamora that bring it up to the next level [7/10].
Dreams (Nova Annual #1). This is a rather sneaky piece of writing, mixing a supposed past and future into a compelling and mysterious story. In the end it ends up being totally irrelevant: you could skip from #10 to #11 without missing a beat. But it's too much fun to do that (and nicely revisits Richard's origins as Nova too) [8/10].
Kvch (Nova #11-12). Richard's magical mystery tour concludes with a visit to Kvch, the home of the technarchy. And Warlock! Now I've never understood the relationships between Phalanx and Warlock's people, but it's great to have Warlock in the story, offering the opportunity to better bring these two concepts together. The story of what Warlock's been doing and how it turns out is also quite enjoyable [7+/10].
May 5, 2009
So much love for this book -- even when I'm not totally clear what's going on which is more-than-seldom. Rich Rider, Long Island teenager turned cosmic cop, is a little bit Green Lantern, a little bit Spider-Man, a little bit Buffy the Vampire Slayer (particularly in that he's paired with a wise authority figure who says sensible things then sighs indulgently as he does the opposite -- in my mind, Worldmind sounds just like Giles). But Rich is also very much his own person. I particularly like the "Annual" issue in here, which retells Nova's origin and emphasizes that the character's strength comes from being ordinary. When so many superhero mythologies rely on the hero being special -- everyone picks on him, he is so very misunderstood, no one appreciates his uniqueness -- it's refreshing to see this book's emphasis on an ordinary guy doing the best he can.
September 2, 2014
I didn't really enjoy Nova's part in the Annihilation books, mostly because his interactions with the Worldmind were clunky, wordy, and not terribly interesting. The Worldmind still shows up a lot here, but since it's more of a Nova solo adventure, it's not jammed into the panels and taking you out of the action, otherwise, and it ends up with more of a buddy-story vibe, which works better. I read this out of order, since this apparently takes place between Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest, but this filled in the gaps nicely. I really enjoy Cosmo as a character, and he is featured well here. I even enjoyed the last part with Warlock, which was handled well and actually made Warlock more interesting, and his connection to the Phalanx a bit clearer. This was actually good, and I may just continue reading.
May 16, 2023
This is officially my favorite volume of the Nova series, mainly for introducing me to Knowhere, and more importantly Cosmo. Cosmo's depiction here is so different from what we got from the MCU movies, but I guess that's understandable.
This volume has Richard dealing with the lingering Phalanx infection and his search for a possible cure to save himself and eventually the Kree. The ending should have been predictable given the involvement of the Phalanx, but the actual ending was still quite a fun twist.
This is some peak Nova. Super solid adventure.
This volume has Richard dealing with the lingering Phalanx infection and his search for a possible cure to save himself and eventually the Kree. The ending should have been predictable given the involvement of the Phalanx, but the actual ending was still quite a fun twist.
This is some peak Nova. Super solid adventure.
September 9, 2014
Nova is dealing with the success of Annihilation by being forced to fight in the Annihilation Conquest. While this story isn't that great it's still a lot of fun, especially with the introduction of Cosmo. Cosmo is a Russian space dog that speaks strangely broken English that is adorable.
Warlock is here. I've only read him in the New Mutants. I enjoyed his part of the story he was more interesting than Nova.
Warlock is here. I've only read him in the New Mutants. I enjoyed his part of the story he was more interesting than Nova.
April 24, 2015
This was a great read, solid story and art all the way through. The dialogue was also very good, not just with Nova but all the support cast. Richard and Worldmind are the odd couple in space.
Nova as a concept is very derivative (essentially Marvels Green Lantern) but this book shows done right he is his own animal. Has a better costume too!
Made me want to go out and buy the other volumes, which is probably the best compliment I can give. Recommended.
Nova as a concept is very derivative (essentially Marvels Green Lantern) but this book shows done right he is his own animal. Has a better costume too!
Made me want to go out and buy the other volumes, which is probably the best compliment I can give. Recommended.
May 28, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this
It's not my usual type,and I didn't know anything about the nova corps, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good artwork and I was glad to see and learn more about Gamora.
It's not my usual type,and I didn't know anything about the nova corps, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good artwork and I was glad to see and learn more about Gamora.
September 15, 2009
If Green Lantern was written better it would be this.
June 2, 2010
Great story, great art!
abandoned
October 3, 2015changed my mind....just want to stick to the 'present day' stories here
August 21, 2014
"You have seen end of universe, and met space zombies, and talkink dog is what freaks you out? Bozshe moi." -COSMO. He's a Russian, telepathic, talking space dog. Also 100% awesome.
August 12, 2014
Эти 2 арки ОЧЕНЬ понравились.
August 17, 2014
Any book featuring a telepathic cosmonaut dog with a dreadful accent can't be all bad!
November 15, 2015
read digitally.
Pretty awesome
Pretty awesome
January 21, 2018
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews