Guardians of Infinity Tops 100k; Richard Rider Nova Still Sells Better Than NINO

As much BS as Tom “Rumpelstiltskin” Brevoort likes to spin on his Tumblr, there is no denying that Richard Rider Nova is a better seller than his replacement, NINO (“Nova In Name Only”).

The most recent issue of NINO, December’s #2, is already under 30K and is again fast approaching cancellation numbers with only 27k in sales (2007 Richard Rider Nova #2 had around 45k).

Further good news comes in the form of the December sales for Abnett’s first issue of Guardians of Infinity which topped 100,000 copies; albeit in part due to being featured in the December Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel Collector’s Corps geek box. Hey, but we’re not complaining.

Following Marvel Studios green lighting the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Marvel Comics under Dan Buckley, Joe Quesada, Axel Alonso, Jeph Loeb, Brian Michael Bendis and Tom Brevoort removed Abnett and Lanning and did away with their popular and best-selling Marvel Cosmic line of comics, which included the 2008 Guardians of the Galaxy team that inspired the new billion dollar Disney franchise.

Richard Rider Nova was also a part of the line and was replaced with a childish wannabe Spider-Man. Sales for the first launch of NINO quickly collapsed and Loeb was announced off the book with the the publication of the second issue. Since then, NINO has consistently sold less than Richard Rider Nova.

The Richard Rider Nova Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel Infinite Action figure was even the best-selling figure of the line – outselling Rocket, Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax and Iron Man – and he wasn’t even featured in the movie.

Fans also voted Richard Rider Nova into the Marvel Heroes 2015 video game, ahead of NINO.

It doesn’t stop there as obviously Disney recognizes the potential of Richard Rider Nova as they continue to put out merchandise in his name, with the latest being the Thanos Imperative Dice Masters Game. We’ll also throw in Hasbro is putting out a Quasar figure based on DnA’s Realm Of Kings and Annihilators.

While Marvel Comics – for some odd reason – is keeping Richard Rider Nova in the dark, it’s hoped with the Marvel Studios Avengers: Infinity War movies that Richard Rider Nova might make a cameo. The directors on the two-parter, Anthony and Joe Russo, recently let it be known they are keeping track of 67 Marvel characters. Hopefully, Rich is among them.

If you happen to be a Richard Rider Nova supporter, you can write to Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige at the following address. Ask for Richard Rider Nova in the MCU!

Kevin Feige
Marvel Studios, LLC
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

(comic sales numbers via Comichron)