Writer: MacKay
Artist: Lopez & 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 #3 ends the first story arc of the series in a quite satisfying manner, setting both the stage and tone for a new chapter in the life of Richard Rider. I hope Marvel nurtures this series and gives it a chance to find the kind of following it needs to maintain sales well enough to survive well beyond 6 issues.
MacKay understands the Rider character better than anyone since Abnett and Lanning. Rich’s interactions with the Worldmind allow us to tap in to Rich’s inner struggles and understand how he succeeds despite them – the mark of all true heroes. While I would quibble with MacKay about putting a meter on Nova Force energy, I liked it that MacKay explored the downside of energy-based weapons, showing just how handy a projectile weapon (issue #2) and a club (this issue) can be when energy weapons fail you, can’t be used, or in some other way fall short. Marv Wolfman also explored the issue back in the original mid-70’s series where the Upholder Class starship that brought Rhomann Dey to Earth had an armory filled with side arms and Xandar’s Nova Corpsmen of that period were depicted wearing side arms. If we have to have anachronisms, I’d rather see Rich with a projectile weapon strapped to his belt than wearing that dumb bomber jacket.
Kudos once again to MacKay for recognizing the power of an ensemble cast and the richness (no pun intended) that it brings to storytelling. Aalbort and Cammi once again shine, providing Rich with the backup he needs to accomplish the mission. I really dig Yr-Kett! She’s my kind of bad girl and I hope she is at least a semi-regular in this series.
Cappucio and Rosenburg’s primary cover art is the best of the series thus far. I really liked their tweak of the uniform, reducing the breast plate size to barely cover the vents and connecting it to the shoulder plates. It is a vastly superior, more practical, and more visually appealing Romanesque design than that depicted by Lopez and Fonte’s interior art which looks awkward and bulky, would restrict movement like contemporary breast plates, and bears more resemblance to contemporary body armor breast plates than should a cosmic character’s uniform. I was slightly disappointed with all of Lopez and Fonte’s interior art this issue. While I was pleased that they gave Rich a more muscular physique than was previously depicted, it still isn’t enough – and in some panels he appeared too smooth, too polished, with an almost feminine pose and body shape in a full page panel where he is confronting Ravenous before his final combat with Ravenous. The art actually ruined what would otherwise have been a dramatic and climactic moment. Let’s get Rich his beard back, let’s see a more Captain America-ish physique, and let’s abandon the contemporary breastplate look for the uniform and substitute the Cappucio and Rosenburg Romanesque design as depicted on the primary cover.
This introductory story arc left me with hope for this series and a desire to see where it goes. I hope MacKay will not leave Rich stuck in the current “hired gun” formula for many more issues, will take the meter off the Nova Force, and will let Rich evolve into the leader of a revitalized Nova Corps. I think that would be a proper celebration story arc for Rich’s 50th Anniversary this year.
Here’s to 50 years of Rich Rider Nova! Long live Rich Rider Nova!
