For over a decade, MCU fans have been clamoring to see Richard Rider's Nova in live action - and thanks to a new costume, he's ready for his debut. Richard Rider's Nova is a particularly powerful member of the galactic police force known as the Nova Corps, able to blast through space like a human rocket thanks to the immense power granted to him by the Nova Force. In many ways, Nova is the Captain America of space - an iconic hero whose place on the front lines of the galaxy's biggest conflicts has won him immense respect even from his enemies.

Now, Nova is back in the pages of Marvel Comics as Marvel reveals a host of covers for the Imperial #1 (from Jonathan Hickman, Federico Vicentini and Iban Coello.) Imperial is intended to relaunch Marvel's cosmic heroes, establishing a new status quo for the galactic powers as Nova and Star-Lord investigate a mass assassination. At from Alessandro Cappuccio, Javier Garrón and Skottie Young shows Nova's new design, as the space hero gets a more rugged, grounded look influenced by retro pop culture like Flash Gordon.

The images show Nova blasting through the sky, battling the Hulk family, and in Skottie Young's trademark cartoony style. Nova is wearing a new version of his classic armor, with his iconic helmet and shoulder pads, as well as three energy ports on his chest that leave a trail of cosmic energy behind him. However, this classic look has the addition of a scruffy bear and aviator jacket, adding the exact kind of grounded twist that has appeared in MCU films. Teaser art from Federico Vicentini, also above, shows Nova in his full ensemble while drinking in a spaceport with Star-Lord.

Nova Is Finally Back in the Spotlight Thanks to Imperial

In Both Movies and Comics, The Character Has Been Wasted for Years

While the Nova Corps as an organization was introduced to the MCU in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, they were portrayed as a non-superpowered peacekeeping group who chiefly use tech tied to their ships. Earth's Richard Rider was nowhere to be seen, and Marvel's Cinematic Universe arguably wasn't ready for a hero who streaks across the galaxy in a blur of light and power. However, in 2025 - and in an MCU that now includes Adam Warlock, Photon and the Eternals - it's long past time for Nova to debut. Sadly, while a solo Nova TV series was in the works, it's since been put on indefinite hold.

Similarly, Nova hasn't gotten many comic appearances over the last few years, except where he's appeared to help out the Guardians of the Galaxy. This is largely because Marvel has been neglecting its cosmic landscape, which at one time was an entire franchise similar to the various X-Men comics. Now, that's set to change, as characters like Hulk and Professor X become the new rulers of space, and Star-Lord and Nova become central to this reinvented ecosystem.

Nova's new costume is a fantastic look that combines his classic armor with a more grounded, personal twist - one that fans will be hungry to see appear in the MCU. For now, the comics are the only place to catch the new costume, as Nova returns to prominence in Imperial.

Imperial #1 is coming June 4, 2025 from Marvel Comics.