Essential Nova

Marvel’s Essential Nova (2006–present) collects the earliest adventures of the Human Rocket in a black-and-white phone-book format, reprinting the character’s original 1970s run. Written primarily by Marv Wolfman with art by Carmine Infantino and Tom Palmer, this single-issue series preserves the cosmic origins and Earthbound heroics of Richard Rider as he navigates the mantle of Nova. It matters as a key archive of a fan-favorite Silver/Bronze Age hero’s debut, offering a complete, accessible snapshot of his formative stories.