Nova: Centurion (2025) #1 Review – Marvel Comics

by

Writer: Jed MacKay

Artist: Lopez

Colorist: Mattia Iacono

Cover Artist: Alessandro Cappucio & Rachelle Rosenberg

Please note that the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and don’t represent the official stance of CosmicBookNews. The author, Timelord, previously provided direct feedback on the “Nova” (2007) and “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2008) comic series to the editors and creators, and his reviews have even been used in Marvel’s promotional materials.

Warning: Contains some spoilers.

As a longtime Nova fan – I’m nearing 50 – and believing that Keith Giffen’s original Annihilation series (2006-2007), starring Rich Rider as Nova, was Marvel’s best cosmic story, I was hesitant about another attempt to recapture that magic. There have been several unsuccessful Nova revivals since then. After reading Nova Centurion #1, I have mixed feelings, but I’m ultimately optimistic.

It’s clear MacKay understands the history of Nova and has pinpointed some of the missteps the character and its lore have taken since the acclaimed run by Abnett and Lanning (DnA) from 2007-2010. He recognized the brilliance of the dialogue between Rider and the original Xandarian Worldmind – a dynamic lost in later interpretations by writers like Bendis, Loeb, and Loveness & Perez. MacKay cleverly found a way to move past a particularly problematic storyline involving the Worldmind, and has successfully brought back the beloved banter between Rider and the original Worldmind. While the author previously felt DnA made a mistake replacing the original Worldmind with the Ko-Rel personality, MacKay made the smart choice to revert to the original, and best, version. This is a welcome change.

I really like Rich’s new beard. It reminds me of his father, who always had a similar style. It’s unfortunate his father was killed off so abruptly in the poorly-received ‘Loveness & Perez’ series – he was a great character who deserved more screen time and provided a good influence on Rich. The writers really missed a chance to explore their relationship and develop Rich’s character further within the Rider Nova universe.

As a big fan of World War II history, I believe the success of Annihilation stems from its strong WWII influences. However, the current Nova storylines repeatedly fall back on the tired trope of the lone hero – reminiscent of Westerns like the Lone Ranger – which has been overdone in Nova’s history. While writer MacKay has successfully combined this with the Have Gun – Will Travel vibe by creating a team dynamic, I’d like to see a return to the WWII themes that made Annihilation so popular. The Western approach worked for Firefly, gaining it a dedicated fanbase and inspiring new writers, but it hasn’t resonated long-term with Marvel’s cosmic stories. The Guardians of the Galaxy mini-series’ attempts at a “spaghetti western” style are prime examples of how poorly this theme translates. Frankly, those were best forgotten. It’s time to move past the Lone Ranger concept for Rider Nova and return to the military science-fantasy that made Annihilation a lasting hit. Nova is at its best when it feels like a war story in space, not a Wild West adventure.

Regarding the World War II aesthetic, I think we need to drop the bomber jacket. It feels out of place in a cosmic setting and clashes with the new Nova Prime uniform. I really like the classic Nova uniform from 1976 and would be happy to see us return to that original design. While the uniform from Annihilation looks great, it’s not very practical for fighting – all those points would be more dangerous to the wearer than to enemies. This new uniform improves practicality while keeping the Annihilation style, but it’s lost some visual impact. If we can’t go back to the 1976 look, we should refine this new uniform, starting with restoring the star on Rich’s helmet. Let’s stop calling him “acting Nova Prime” – he’s been The Nova Prime for a long time. We should also consider making the chest plate slimmer and building up Rich’s physique to be more like Captain America’s.

The supporting cast looks promising, with Pip the Troll as Rider’s representative, Aalbort handling finances, and an adult Cammi providing some witty banter. I’ve always believed Nova stories are best told with a strong ensemble, and I’m excited to see how the author uses these characters to develop Rider. However, I’m worried about the potential introduction of Sam Alexander. I strongly advise against it. The previous attempt to create a “Kid Nova” felt like a purely commercial decision and a misguided effort to replace Rider. It didn’t work then, and Sam Alexander has consistently harmed any series he’s been in. The existing Nova fans dislike him, and his presence would diminish this story. It’s simply irresponsible to give a young teenager powers with such destructive potential and then put them in the dangerous situations that a Nova Corps member regularly faces. Rich was at least 18 when he gained his powers and quickly received military training during the Xandar-Skrull War. Hopefully, Xandar will be restored and the Nova Corps will reclaim Sam Alexander’s illegally obtained powers. Until then, let’s just forget he exists.

Regarding the possibility of Xandar’s return, the story contained a few hidden clues for fans to discover. It’s logical that the Worldmind would eventually fulfill its main purpose: bringing the Xandarians back through cloning, as it’s done before. The idea that its power is limited doesn’t quite fit; Nova Power hasn’t been fully explained, but it seems similar to Zero Point Energy, which would mean it’s virtually limitless. Hopefully, we can move away from the idea of the Worldmind needing energy credits soon, restore its full power, and focus on rebuilding Xandar and the Nova Corps. This would give the writer, Rich, a large cast of characters to work with and create exciting, galaxy-spanning challenges for the Corps to overcome.

Lopez clearly has a talent for creating visually stunning cosmic artwork. I particularly liked how he drew Rich and the other characters, especially the detailed close-ups. Iacono’s color choices were perfect for a space-themed comic. I really hope this artist and colorist continue working on the book together for a long time. However, I wasn’t impressed with the main cover art or any of the alternate versions. They didn’t have that immediate appeal that would make someone unfamiliar with Nova pick it up in a store. For the series to succeed long-term, the covers need to be much more captivating to new readers, sparking their interest instantly—just like the classic 1976 Buscema cover for the original Nova series did for me and many other fans, and how the covers for Annihilation: Prologue and the entire Annihilation series drew in new audiences.

This book feels like a pitch for a new Nova TV series, and if that’s the case, the author has done a great job of capturing what made the original 1976-1979 and 2007-2010 Nova series so good. Hopefully, he’ll continue to develop the Nova character in a way that respects its history, especially after some less-than-ideal portrayals in the past. I really hope this leads to a long-running series! I recommend that all Nova fans purchase at least two copies each month to support strong sales.

Here’s to nearly 50 years of Rich Rider Nova! Long live Rich Rider Nova!

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2025-11-23 21:32