After a very dull and boring couple of issues (which is ironic considering this is a tie-in for a WAR), Nova is finally back as one of the best cosmic comics of the industry.

I really think the only reason I have had little interest for most of this storyline (and a little bit before) was not having Richard Rider as Nova Prime was boring. Seriously, if he’s not the Nova Prime then I really don’t care about this character. Not saying that you can’t evolve or mix it up now and again; but just having him back in being the main star is really entertaining. This is where I really realize Richard really is a natural born leader and a responsible adult. He gives off chain of commands to all the other Centurions and not once does it feel like he has no idea what he’s doing. Also what makes this title so great is Worldmind. Again if she’s (now a she by the way) not apart of Richard in any way, I think you lose a big dynamic of Nova. Richard is a character that needs to have banter with someone and having it pretty much represent his own mind really works. The overall plot of trying to find Robbie is important, but not really the best thing going for the title right now. Throw in some plot that seems to be advancing the WoK’s as a whole (an event I am now following in issues). The end really took a left turn.

What has stayed constant with the Nova title is the artwork. Sure DiVito is no Alves, but it’s pretty darn close to being him. The action scenes are all laid out nicely and it’s never confusing on what is going on within a panel. Considering that usually this book is mainly talking heads, it’s important to get the character models right. Thankfully DiVito can draw anything on model and that includes the weird aliens showcased. I am hoping for a return to Alves in the coming months, but if he doesn’t come back…DiVito is a very good No.2 to have around.

There’s still this nagging thought in my head that is making me give this 4/5 instead of a five. For a title that has been stuck with tie-in’s lately; AnL still manage to write a pretty good story for Nova. But with what happens in the final pages of this story; I could care less because I am not following this cosmic event as a whole. Add in with a very ‘meh’ of a twist ending and the last three to four pages really makes this issue end on a wimper. Even still, this title has upgraded itself back into a very good read again despite it’s shortcomings. Let’s just hope the War of Kings madness ends soon and we can have Richard going off to more exciting adventures down the line.