Nova vols. 3 & 4: Secret Invasion & Nova Corps

I started reading “Nova” as an outgrowth of enjoying the character’s mini-series and participation in the “Annihilation” crossover.  While writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning did a great job of making the title character interesting, thanks to his standing as the last of the Nova Corps. and the host of the Xandar Worldmind, the first two volumes didn’t have enough momentum to get me to pick up the subsequent volumes outside of finding them in the bargain bin.  That has changed now that I’ve read these two volumes. 

It’s an old adjective, but “rip-roaring” certainly fits the tone of vol. 3 as Nova has to manage the simultaneous tasks of helping the inhabitants of a planet evacuate in the face of Galactus’ assault and restraining an intangible body-jumping mass murderer.  Then he rockets back to Earth to help his brother and the rest of his science team fight off the Skrulls.  Things slow down a bit in vol. 4 as Nova finds out that the Worldmind has been rebuilding the Nova Corps. without his knowledge or permission, and that it’s been using some highly questionable methods to do so.  The volume ends on a cliffhanger with the character stripped of his powers and finding out he only has 48 hours to live.  I know he’s going to survive, but damn it — the series has got me hooked on finding out how he’s going to do it!  It also has quality art from Wellinton Alves and several other contributors.  I may have been slow to get on the bandwagon, but I can see why the series has so many fans.  Can’t wait to see how it’ll be wrapping up (for now) in vols. 5 & 6.