Writer: MacKay
Artist: Fonte
Colorist: Iacono
Cover Artist: Cappucio & Rosenberg
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed herein are purely the opinions of the author of this article and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of CosmicBookNews. Timelord regularly reviewed the 2007 “Nova” and 2008 “Guardians of the Galaxy” series with his reviews directly sent to the books’ editors and creators. Timelord’s reviews have been quoted by Marvel in cover blurbs, press reviews, and solicits.
Warning: Contains some spoilers.
Nova Centurion #4 is a transitional issue, introducing a new story arc for Rider and company. The story is long on character development and short on action, which will no doubt disappoint readers craving the action aspect expected with a book about Nova. However, the action that was featured was very satisfying, as was the character development.
I like it that MacKay has not fallen into the trap that so many past writers have fallen into where they take Rich back to his roots in the introductory 1976 series as an inexperienced teen, impulsively flying in and slugging it out with the big bad of the month with no other strategy than to punch the bad guy as hard as possible. Rich should be and is beyond all of that now. At present, he is best portrayed as a mature, albeit hot-headed (after all, nobody’s perfect), but experienced military “leader of men.” I liked it that he strategized a way around the obstacles Eden Rixlo placed in his way, using them to his advantage to the surprise and admiration of everyone, including the Worldmind.
While I will again quibble with MacKay about his plot device of having Rider constantly struggling to “pay the rent” for the Nova Force, I have to admit that the “refueling the Worldmind’s batteries” sequence was well-written and entertaining. However, this plot device (which limits Rider’s power way too much) is going to get old quickly and needs to be solved. With the (everyone saw this coming) “surprise” appearance of an important character at the end of the merry chase of Rixlo, one solution comes to mind. Putting aside that the Worldmind runs on Nova Force and doles it out to Corpsmen (and therefore should not need an external or backup power source), it would seem to me that the great powers of the local group of galaxies would want to keep the Worldmind safe (it would be a terrible weapon in the wrong hands), reconstitute the Nova Corps under the command of Rider, and would therefore pony up the cash to keep the Worldmind (and therefore Nova Corps) running as it would be in their best interests to do so as they have always recognized in the past. If Rider doesn’t at least float that bargain, he’s almost derelict in his duty.
The chemistry between Rider, Aalbort, and Cammi continues to satisfactorily develop, making this the best “team” cosmic book since DnA’s run on Guardians of the Galaxy. It reminds me of the Kirk (Rider)-Spock (Aalbort)-McCoy(Cammi) triangulations from the original Star Trek 1966-1969 television series, and in my not-so-humble opinion, you can’t get much better than that.
Whereas Issue #3’s art was marginal, Fonte brings a pretty much A-game level of artistry to this issue. I’d still like to see Rich’s physique much more like that of Captain America, the return of his beard, and the thinning/shrinking of the breast plate to a more Roman Gladiator look such as that portrayed on last-issue’s cover (hey – Xandar is based on Rome, so it would be a fitting nod to the Roman roots), but overall – I was impressed with the art. At least the overly anachronistic bomber jacket is still absent. Iacono’s colors were vibrant and will be pleasing to even the most discriminating fan. The Cappucio & Rosenberg mass market cover was well-done and appealing as were most of the variant covers.
All-in-all, Nova Centurion #4 is another solid contribution to the Nova lore and is well worth your investment. I hope MacKay has a special story coming this summer for Nova’s 50-year Anniversary. It would be a shame to let it pass without celebration from Marvel. So Marvel editors, don’t disappoint us Nova fans! Gin up some excitement about Nova and announce your plans to celebrate his 50th Anniversary!
Here’s to 50 years of Rich Rider Nova! Long live Rich Rider Nova!
