Nova (Volume 1): Annihilation - Conquest

Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Sean Chen

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The first volume of the new ongoing Nova series from Marvel Comics follows Richard Rider as he picks up the pieces following the events of the galactic crossover event Annihilation. With no Nova Corps, but with their collective power (and worldmind) at his disposal, Richard answers distress calls across the galaxy with little time to pause, at least until the worldmind insists upon it, and Nova stops by Earth for a respite to visit his family. What he returns to is a world changed by the events of Civil War and possibly a world he no longer belongs to. But really, he has plenty else to keep him occupied as the phalanx have reared their heads and they want Nova and the power he wields.

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This book collects the first seven issues of the new Nova series, issues every bit as riveting as the surprisingly action-packed Annihilation mega crossover, which comes as no shock since the writers of Annihilation: Nova (Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning) are on-board for this incarnation of the hero. Sean Chen masterfully illustrates the pages of thrill upon thrill, in a book that is constantly creative and surprising amid kick-ass fight sequences. I'm not sure exactly where this falls in with the whole Annihilation - Conquest event (the sequel to Annihilation), but works just fine as a stand-alone series, although having read Annihilation proves useful, as there are characters that make appearances from that story in this book, including Nova's former lover Gamora (the most dangerous woman in the galaxy) and Drax the Destroyer. A hell of a lot of fun.