13 Years Ago Today, Marvel’s Best Galactic Hero Got a Surprising Change (He Needs an MCU Appearance)

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The Guardians of the Galaxy have become Marvel’s most popular space heroes thanks to their hit movies. But before them, that role belonged to characters who haven’t gotten much attention lately, like the Silver Surfer and, more importantly, Nova. Nova is essentially Marvel’s version of the Green Lantern Corps – a team of superpowered space police. Like the Green Lanterns, Novas use a special object to gain incredible abilities and protect the universe. While Richard Rider is the original and most well-known Nova and is still active today, he disappeared for a time in the past.

Richard Rider, the previous Nova, seemingly sacrificed himself heroically during the Thanos Imperative storyline. When Marvel launched its ‘Marvel Now!’ initiative, Earth needed a new protector of the cosmos. Sam Alexander stepped into that role with the debut of Nova (2013) #1 in February 2013. While Rich Rider had proven himself a top-tier hero and became the sole member of the Nova Corps as Nova Prime, Sam represented a completely different approach. This was a significant change for a beloved Marvel character, and fans are hoping to see at least one of these heroes appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

All-New Nova, All-New Problems

Sam wasn’t chosen as a Nova Centurion like Rich – nobody elected him. His father, Jesse Alexander, was the Nova who’d actually earned the position, even fighting with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Jesse left a mission to witness his son’s birth and then chose to stay on Earth, eventually becoming a storyteller who often spoke about his past adventures, though Sam never took the stories seriously. Everything changed when Jesse disappeared, and Gamora and Rocket Raccoon arrived searching for him. That’s when Sam donned his father’s helmet, determined to find his family and continue his father’s work protecting the galaxy.

I’ve always been drawn to stories about people overcoming tough beginnings, and Sam Wilson’s is a great one. He grew up constantly dealing with his father’s struggles, feeling trapped in a small town and dreaming of something bigger. Then, everything changed when he became one of the few remaining Novas. What’s really cool is the Nova helmet was specifically designed to respond to his father’s DNA – meaning Sam was the only one who could truly unlock its power. It didn’t take long for him to become a hero, joining the Avengers and eventually becoming a key member and founder of the Champions. He’s a character I really admire – a true testament to rising above hardship.

Sam differs from Rich in how he portrays the Nova stories, successfully blending relatable teenage struggles with the grand scale of being an intergalactic hero. While Rich Rider quickly overcame his insecurities to become a confident, universally known hero, Sam still grapples with self-doubt, school, and typical teenage issues. Sam manages to capture the idea of an ordinary kid becoming a hero without losing either the ‘normal’ or the ‘galactic’ side of the character. Both versions are excellent and share a lot of appealing qualities.

Both Novas Deserve an MCU Debut

A Disney+ show starring Nova was considered, but plans were paused in February 2025. Now, a year later, I believe Nova is crucial for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the Guardians of the Galaxy’s story complete, the cosmic side of Marvel needs a new leading hero, and Nova is a great choice. Plus, Nova’s friend Kamala Khan (Miss Marvel) has already been introduced, which could pave the way for a ‘Champions’ team – essentially a younger version of the Avengers.

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is set to drastically change the Marvel universe, creating a need for new heroes. This would be an ideal time to introduce a character like Sam, whose story—a young person grappling with a complicated relationship with their father while facing immense responsibility—could be incredibly compelling. It would also open up possibilities for introducing other cosmic characters, such as the Novas (Rich Rider and others), who are fascinating but haven’t been fully explored in Marvel stories. This event could be the opportunity they need to become major players.

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2026-02-20 21:11