The MCU just pulled the plug on Nova's series, and he isn't looking much better off in the comics as Marvel sets the stage for his groundbreaking death. Richard Rider has spent decades patrolling the stars as the headline hero of the Nova Corps, but a new series might kill off this cosmic icon. Nova's MCU plans falling through is bad enough, and now his future has grown uncertain in the comics as well.

Marvel Studios has reportedly been developing a Nova TV show for years, but it was announced earlier this week that the series is being put on an indefinite hold - which, for all intents and purposes, means that it has been canceled. Although Nova has been teased within the MCU since 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy introduced the Nova Corps, it seems that he won't be ing that universe after all.

Now that Marvel has called off Richard Rider's big screen adaptation, there's reason to believe that the comics are also planning to cast Nova aside, as Marvel just teased his potential death.

Nova Is No Longer Coming to the MCU, So What Does That Mean for the Comics?

Marvel Appears to Be Setting the Stage for Nova's Death

Last year, Marvel announced that acclaimed writer Jonathan Hickman will be penning a new series called Imperial, but not much has been revealed yet about what this comic will entail. Teaser art by Marco Checchetto - posted by Marvel Comics on X - reveals the first official glimpse at what Hickman's cosmos-spanning epic will look like, and it's a troubling one, as all that's shown is the discarded helmet of Nova. The smoke and rubble surrounding the helmet suggest that misfortune may befall Nova, and with his MCU debut being abruptly paused for the foreseeable future, the end may be drawing near for this Marvel hero.

Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto are currently collaborating on the hit Ultimate Spider-Man series, available now from Marvel Comics.

This wouldn't be the first time that Richard Rider's Nova appeared to have met his end, so there's a chance that his death won't be permanent if it does come to . Rider has been trapped in comic limbo numerous times, yet he always manages to return from the brink. For instance, in 2010's The Thanos Imperative by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Nova and Star-Lord sacrificed themselves to ensure Thanos wouldn't escape the collapsing Cancerverse. After being presumed dead, Rider later made a comeback in 2016's Nova #1 by Jeff Loveness and Ramón Pérez. Therefore, regardless of what Imperial has in store, Nova can still bounce back.

Imperial: Here's Everything We Know About What's Next for Nova

Jonathan Hickman Is Overhauling the Comic Side of Marvel

As mentioned before, most of what Hickman's Imperial will entail remains a mystery, though there's some information out there that can fuel speculation about where Richard Rider's story is heading. The title itself alludes to the Imperial Guard, which protects the Sh'iar's portion of the cosmos. Hickman had shown interest in writing about the Imperial Guard before, so this angle would track with his interests in the Marvel Universe. Stephanie Phillips and Marco Renna's Phoenix series features Nova siding with Jean Grey in her feud with the Sh'iar's Gladiator, so that thread could carry over into this series and set up Nova's opposition to the Imperial Guard.

The series has been described by Marvel’s David Gabriel as a story on the scale of Jonathan Hickman's House of X, which redefined the X-Men's status quo as they established their new nation in Krakoa. Now, Hickman seems to be bringing his large-scale storytelling to Marvel's cosmic realm, and Nova will be involved in some capacity since he's referenced in the series' very first official art. Beyond the title and ominous image of Nova's helmet, not much else has been revealed about Imperial, but there's enough evidence to suggest that the end could be approaching for Richard Rider in June 2025.

Nova's Potential Death Could Have Been Prevented by His MCU Role

Richard Rider May Have Missed His Shot at a Full Comic Comeback

ing the MCU could've been Nova's big break, as many heroes have enjoyed big returns in the comics following their success in movies and TV adaptations. For instance, the Guardians of the Galaxy went from relative obscurity among the general audience to embarking on plenty of new comic adventures that may not have been greenlit so easily without that surge in popularity. While readers who actively keep up with the cosmic side of Marvel are familiar with Nova, many casual fans don't recognize him, so the MCU could have spawned a much-needed renaissance for this overlooked hero.

Although Nova has led a few solo series over the years, particularly during the 2010s, Richard Rider has fallen to the wayside following the last Nova comic's conclusion in 2017. Since then, Nova's appearances throughout the Marvel Universe have mostly been limited to team books and other stories that focus on other characters while he plays a ing role. Phoenix #6 appeared to set up a comeback for Rider as he was recruited to Jean Grey's anti-Thanos team, but any potential plans for him may have to be shelved once Hickman's Imperial kicks off and rewrites his status quo.

If Marvel Does Kill Nova, Other Heroes Can Take His Place in the Cosmos

Sam Alexander Might Officially Replace Richard Rider as Nova

The fate of Nova has never been more uncertain now that he isn't slated for a place in the MCU and the popularity that would come with such a role, so there's a bigger chance than ever before that Marvel will kill him off. On the off chance that Imperial does take Nova Corps is vast, so anyone could step up in the wake of his death to patrol space in his stead.

Whether he lives or dies, it's clear that Nova's fate hangs in the balance.

Of course, the most obvious candidate to be Marvel's next Nova in Richard Rider's place is Sam Alexander, who has also gained recognition for founding the Champions alongside other young heroes like Ms. Marvel. He would be an obvious pick to portray a Nova for the next generation, seeing as he already did after Rider's last "death". Nova's potential death may seem bleak, but he does have a likely successor lined up, so the universe won't need to get by without a space-faring superhero for long if he perishes. Whether he lives or dies, it's clear that Nova's fate hangs in the balance.

Imperial will be available in June 2025.

Source: X