Product Description: We've seen Richard Rider burnt to a crisp, replaced by a hot Kree soldier, and turned to the dark side. But just wait until you see where we rocket Nova now! What is the haunted place known as Knowhere? Who are Xarth's Mightiest Heroes? And why will the new character called Cosmo quickly become one of your favorites? Oh... and what well-known Annihilation characters are hot on Nova's trail? As Nova enters the final phase of his epic quest for the key to defeating the Phalanx, the lone Centurion faces his darkest hour. Past, present, and future clash as the tyrannical techno-fiends make one last attempt to enslave him - in an act that will unravel Richard Rider's life right back to the moment where he first became the man called Nova! Plus: A special standalone thriller trapping Nova and Gamora together! Allies, lovers, Phalanx puppets - and now the bitterest of enemies! Captured together by an alien menace, will the Human Rocket and the Deadliest Woman in the Universe work together to survive, or wind up killing each other instead? Collects Nova #8-12 and Annual #1.
About as fun a series I've read Nova Vol 2 Knowhere continues right from where Vol 1 left off, which I love since it keeps the reader engaged with great cliffhangers and doesn't forget the past, where Richard Rider has been and that makes where he's going that much more enjoyable. Abnett and Lanning manage to keep the Nova series exciting and self-contained despite that fact that they're working within the greater context of the Annihilation: Conquest storyline. They weave the series in with the main event line so well that it's just a pleasure to read. I usually dislike Tie-Ins but I wouldn't even go so far as to call these issues tie-ins. They are a good self-contained stories that focus far more on character instead of plot and that is always the best way to move a story forward. Get the character right and the plot will figure itself out. Nevertheless, it puts the story in a great place going forward into Annihilation: Conquest's conclusion. In this 2nd part of what I would call Nova's first year story-arc, you even get the inclusion of an Annual #1, which is a great flashback/flash-forward piece that delves into what makes Richard Rider so special: the fact that he isn't. You'll understand more after you read it, but it really makes you feel like it could be you underneath that helmet, just adding to the joy, fun and freshness of the story. Speaking of freshness, there are some great characters and some returning old ones in this Volume. You get a talking Russian space dog (which sounds amazingly dumb but is handled so well it is awesome, a rarity in comics, normally the bad ideas are just that - bad), Gamora and Drax still hot on Richard's tale, and the return of a New Mutant. Even the love story between Richard and Gamora gets a little deeper, as we learn why Gamora and Richard just might not be compatible after all...or are they? It doesn't even come across cheesy! I just love the fun ride this series is and wish it could be a full-blown summer blockbuster movie. The art continues as very good, maybe not great, but explosive. Paul Pelletier really steps up to the plate on issues 11 and 12 here and handles the world he is given to bring to life amply. His Nova is not quite as good as prior artists on the series, but the setting and supporting characters are top-notch. I didn't really like his work on Flash years ago but he has come a long way and I think in the next volume will really have his Nova flying off the page. Very impressed and glad to hear they found someone good to take the reigns.
Comics go Nova! Continuing what started in volume 1, this is another great sci-fi story. Any fan of comics will love this trade. The only thing to be aware of is that the story at the end of this book is continued in Annihilation Conquest. That isn't enough to sour my thoughts on this great read.
Blue Blazes the Human Rocket Takes Off in a big way A necessary read if you have started the awesome Annihilation storyline. Richard Rider is infected with a technovirus and must fight to keep it at bay while two familiar faces are hot on his tail. These persuers are part of the Phalnx Select that Richie so desperately needs to stop. Richard finds some friends along the way, one being a talking version of man's best friend and the other a former New Mutant who may be the secret to the Phalnx's demise. A great take of for the Human Rocket, he got me hooked on this series.
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