What makes me happy about Nova in general is how it barely interacts with Earth and it’s problems. Okay so Rider had to be in the Secret Invasion crossovers, but at least that is a cosmic event….it’s not like Nova was forced to fight in World War Hulk or Civil War. Even if Abnett and Lanning is forced to somehow make their title mention recent Marvel events, it never hurts their overall story.

Here this issue, like everything else in today’s Marvel universe, has to somehow focus on Dark Reign. But it also has to focus on ‘War of Kings’ so this issue is forced for a two-for-one deal in terms of events. Let me say the stuff that focuses on ‘War of Kings’ more made me more interested then what was going on Earth (or Dark Reign). I admit I am not reading WoK in issues but at least AnL can write pretty damn good cosmic stuff. Worldmind setting everybody up for the war and then a hilarious use of Ego the Living Planet made me yurn for this title to get back on track. But then we have to focus on non-powered Richard Rider; who, without any powers to begin with is very very boring. Or course we have to show how Earth is changing with Osborn in charge, of course we have to focus on how it’s hurting everyone that HAMMER is in charge….and of course we get a huge twist with the female lead. Actually I got to give AnL credit, I didnt see that twist coming with Dr. Necker but still it was a twist that didnt make me all excited for.

So what I am trying to drag my point to is that….this issue was boring. Boring as anything. Does the ‘Dark Reign’ stuff being introduced here is a cocinidence that I find this boring? Maybe, but overall this entire arc of Worldmind rebuilding the corps went from pretty sweet to now dragging by it’s fingernails. Even the last page cliffhangers arent what they used to be. I dont know if it’s because of Dark Reign, or that Abnnet and Lanning are practically doing a third of all Marvel books….But my interest in this series is wanning a bit. I hope this gets back on track…and fast.