The story of Marvel's Richard Rider’s current situation isn't good. The once Avenger, Guardian of the Galaxy, and surviving member of the Nova Corps is now a work-for-hire hero. Sometimes that means doing jobs that are below him because it's the only way to keep the records and memory of the Nova Corps alive. Sadly, this has led to him doing something shady in Nova: Centurion No. 3. However, it begins long before this issue.
The downward spiral began when the Nova Corps was destroyed during the Annihilation War (specifically in Annihilation: Nova). This left him as the last survivor of the great Nova. Since then, Richard Rider has become an intergalactic, war-hardened soldier. Despite all of the awful things that happen to him, he manages to keep a sense of humor. Sadly, Marvel Comics’ space crossover, Imperial, may have taken his smile, but not his sense of duty.
Nova: Centurion creative team
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artist: Matteo Della Fonte and Alvaro Lopez
- Colors: Mattia Iacono
Jed MacKay’s Nova: Centurion begins soon after Star-Lord becomes the head of the Galactic Union in Imperial. Peter Quill knows that the Inhumans caused the war that killed an untold number of people, and he is choosing to hide it. This is important because Richard was one of his closest friends - so much so that he’s admitted to loving him. Whether it’s romantically or otherwise is unclear, but that love itself was made clear in issue No. 6 of Al Ewing’s Guardians of the Galaxy. This betrayal was another blow dealt to Richard Rider’s heart.
After Imperial, Richard had to find ways to keep the Nova Corps’ Worldmind powered. Without a steady job, Nova accepts an offer from Pip the Troll to use the power of the Nova Force to make money. Richard doesn’t like it, but it seems to be the only way to prosper.
Now, here is where things get interesting. During Nova: Centurion No. 1, Richard is hired by one of the most dangerous crime families in the universe, the Kree-Skrull War, to get their stolen Mysterium back. The only person caught in the robbery was a friend of Nova's, Camille "Cammi" Benally. Part of the deal with accepting the job was that Cammi would be released to him and his crew. This ended up becoming a mistake, because Cammi learned Ricard Rider’s secret: He was the one who stole the Mysterium from the Kree-Skrull War.
Cammi is a proud thief, and a good one too. Nova knows this, but still left her unattended on his ship. While she was snooping around, she found the Kree-Skrull War’s Mysterium. At first glance, this seemed like a villainous move by Nova. Realistically, this seems like Richard is actually doing what’s best for the galaxy.
Nova may have stolen the Mysterium, but he took it from one of the worst crime families in the universe. The Kree-Skrull War would have used this rare metal to make weapons or sold it to beings who would have used it to harm others or build a criminal empire. So, in this writer’s opinion, this makes Richard Rider a hero. However, let’s see how this plays out, especially now that Cammi knows his secret.
Lastly, what does Richard need with all of this Mysterium? If I had to guess, the last of the Nova Corps is looking for a way to rebuild his heroic group. Making helmets out of Mysterium is a good start. Also, are we certain that Richard was in control of his body at the time? Maybe Worldmind was controlling his body. Wouldn’t that be a heck of a twist Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out all the answers.