Nova #6 – Review

By: Zeb Wells (Writer), Paco Medina (Penciler), Juan Vlasco (Inker), David Curiel (Colorist), Comicraft’s Albert Deschesne

Review: This is Nova all grown up, in a way; Jeph Loeb’s inaugural story arc has finished, and this is the first issue where Sam Alexander has been handled by another writer. Loeb actually did a pretty great job introducing the character and Zeb Wells is an almost pitch-perfect replacement. He’s writes a liekable smartass well, and Sam’s definitely that, though he’s also got a fairly well developed personal life where he’s rendered a bit softer, more insecure. It’s the latter that Wells focuses on for his first time behind the wheel, and while the action gets knocked down a gear as a result it’s still well worth a read.

This issue begins with Sam returning home after helping the X-Men take down Dark Scott in Avengers Vs. X-Men #12. That happened (in the context of this book) a month after Nova #5, which means the events seen here are, what, 6-9 months old? No matter, as there’s not much that occurs here that alters wider continuity. It’s mainly a tour through the important parts of any fourteen year old’s life – the home, school, family, friends and (for all too many of us) bullies that make up the day-to-day.

In that sense it does cover old ground that Jeph Loeb was keen to tender quite early on, but a couple of important points are made. First, Sam’s mother is aware of her son’s exploits and, while she doesn’t approve of him becoming a fully-fledge Nova, she certainly doesn’t forbid it…and as any 14 year-old can attest, that’s the same thing as a Green Light, right? Second, Sam’s love interest Carrie has kind of figured out Nova’s ‘Secret Identity’ from the off which should make things interesting over the next few months. Otherwise this is Zeb Wells putting his stamp on Sam’s world and it’s a good start, only falling short of the kind of quality seen in Miles Morales’ deceptively enthralling home life in Bendis’ Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. It’s largely relatable, believable enough, and is sure to be the source of some decent drama.

Though overall, as Wells’ first issue, it’s a little nonchalant. Sam donning the Nova suit and setting out to begin his heroic journey proper proves a suitable release of tension at the end of the issue, but I can’t help feeling that Wells has played things a little safe here. Still, the best is yet to come.

This issue also sees Nova switching up artists with Paco Medina taking the place of Ed McGuinness. It’s a great choice from editorial as their styles compliment each other well, both excelling at big, bold artwork that imbues everything with youthful sense of energy; from this month to last month, the transitions a smooth one. Medina has to reign in the real showstopping stuff for the majority of the book as most of Well’s script calls for talking heads and static posing, but even then it’s all appears to have been approached with an appreciable air of enthusiasm by the artist. When Medina does cut loose – when Nova soars into the skies – it had me really excited for what’s to come. With Vlasco and Curiel keeping the inking bold and the colours bright, respectively, this book’s still one hell of a looker.

Conclusion: It’s a subdued start from Nova’s new creative team but a decent one, and it lays a solid foundation for what’s to come. Even at half-strength Nova remains brimming with good ideas and a fresh-faced attitude towards super-heroics and with Wells and Medina at the helm it looks like the best is yet to come.

Grade:  B

-Matt Sargeson