‘What If…?’ Season 2: Who & What Is Nova Prime? Explained

‘What If…?’ Season 2 commenced with the variant of Nebula who, at a certain point, joined the Nova Corps and departed from the Black Order. Nebula found solace on Xandar, establishing an honorable purpose within the Corps until Ronan once again threatened the planet. Nova Prime activated the Planetary Shield, designed to safeguard Xandar for at least 50 years. However, 5 years into their isolation, Nova Prime betrayed her own people, offering the planet to Ronan. As the highest-ranking member of the Nova Corps, Nova Prime’s origin will be explored in greater detail today.

What kind of title of Nova Prime?

Nova Prime is not merely a superhero name but a distinguished title within the Nova Corps, governing the Nova Empire. The first individual to hold the title in the MCU was Irani Rael, a notable figure in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies. Amidst a bitter war with the Kree empire, Nova Corps and Xandar faced threats from Ronan the Accuser, a Kree determined to obliterate them.

Although Ronan’s attempts failed, Thanos returned to succeed, wiping out the Nova Corps and Xandar. The Infinity Stone safeguarded by the Guardians of the Galaxy was seized. Irani’s fate remains unknown, and the Nova Corps hasn’t been prominently mentioned since. With the anticipation of Nova’s debut in the MCU, the hope is for the Corps’ lore to expand. Currently, it’s essential to understand that Nova Corps operates with a hierarchy similar to any other organization, featuring individuals who hold the esteemed title of Nova Prime.

Nova Prime needs to be the host of Nova Force to have superpowers

Nova Prime need not possess inherent superpowers beyond the extensive training and skills acquired through Nova Corps. In the MCU, Irani Rael, holding the Nova Prime title, was primarily a political figure without evident superhuman abilities. However, this does not diminish the inherent power of Nova Prime.

As the leader of Xandar, a vast galactic empire, Nova Prime wields substantial political influence and power, coupled with nearly boundless military resources. The entirety of Nova Corps falls under Nova Prime’s command, and the titleholder shapes the future of the empire.

This authority is exemplified in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and reiterated in ‘What If…?’ Season 2, where Nova Prima strategically secured Xandar with an impenetrable shield and subsequently offered the planet to Ronan.

Given the extensive powers over Nova Corps, it is crucial for Nova Prime to embody objectivity and moral integrity, resisting easy corruption. These qualities are not only desirable in any leader but particularly essential when governing multiple sectors and planets within the empire.

Richard Rider is the most popular Nova Prime in the comics

Numerous characters in the comics have held the esteemed title of Nova Prime, with Richard Rider emerging as the most prominent figure and the most celebrated Nova. Richard, hailing from Hempstead, New York, experienced a transformative moment when the alien Rhomann Dey, the final Centurion of Xandar’s Nova Corps, randomly selected him.

Dey, grievously wounded while pursuing the intergalactic pirate Zorr, sought vengeance but was incapacitated. Confronting mortality, Dey passed on his powers to Richard, entrusting the unsuspecting human to champion his cause and prove worthy of the bestowed abilities.

This marked the initiation of Richard Rider’s journey as the successor to Nova Prime. Richard assumed the mantle of Nova Prime after the Secret Invasion and once again following the events of War of Kings.

Richard’s formidable power stemmed not solely from his Nova Prime status but primarily from being the host of the Nova Force, an expansive energy source conferring numerous superpowers and abilities upon its bearer.

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