Richard Rider

Ordinary Long Island teenager Richard Rider was randomly chosen by the dying Nova Centurion Rhomann Dey to receive his power — the vast cosmic energy of the Nova Force — along with his rank and mission, transforming Rider into Earth's first Human Rocket.

Few characters capture the scrappy, cosmic ambition of Marvel's Bronze Age quite like Richard Rider, who burst onto the scene in Marvel Premiere #29 in 1976 and never looked back. Over a remarkable fifty-year publishing history spanning 308 catalog appearances — twelve of them recognized as key issues — Rider has proven himself one of Marvel's most enduring figures, anchoring titles like Nova, The New Warriors, and Spider-Girl across generations of storytelling. He keeps genuinely elite company, sharing adventures with the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America, and Thor, which speaks volumes about the weight Marvel places on this character. Whether you're a longtime collector or just discovering the cosmic corners of the Marvel Universe, Richard Rider is exactly the kind of character whose journey rewards every issue you track down.