The Coming of the Comet

THE MAN CALLED NOVA — Issue no. 22, August 1978

Book: The Man Called Nova

Issue No.: 22

Published: August 15, 1978

Title: “The Coming of the Comet”

Cover Price: 35¢

Format: Original paper copy

As you might recall, Nova was Marvel’s late-1970s high school hero. My assumption is the powers-that-be at Marvel created Nova since their original high school hero, the amazing Spider-Man, had grown up and was graduating college around this time.

This story starts with the Rider family having found out that eldest son Richard is a superhero. Nova’s mom is a bit concerned, but his dad and brother both seem pretty cool with the situation. They all go to a secluded beach house to discuss things, and Nova flies them around for a bit. I mean, if my brother was a superhero, I’d probably take him up on an offer to be flown around.

The main bad guy here is Diamondhead, who apparently has diamond skin. He’s kind of like Marvel’s Thing if the Thing was diamond-y instead of rocky. He even talks kind of like the Thing, saying stuff like “I was free, an’ madder’n blazes!” Diamondhead is also strong. He claims to be the strongest man alive, but I am sure the Hulk would laugh at that claim.

Diamondhead is after Nova for revenge after they had a run-in a few issues earlier — we get about a page of helpful exposition about that. Diamondhead does beat up Nova pretty bad, but this guy the Comet steps in to rescue Nova. Everyone comments on how the Comet was originally a hero in the 1950s and how it’s weird that he still looks young. At this point, I am not sure if the Comet was an actual 1950s superhero, like Captain America and the Sub-Mariner, or if this is a retcon. If that doesn’t get explained more clearly next issue, I’ll have to research that.

Also (yeah, there’s a good bit going on here) there’s another bad guy whose identity is a mystery, but he’s trying to pull Diamondhead’s strings for some reason. Maybe we’ll learn more about him next issue, too.

This is pretty standard-issue superhero stuff, but I generally enjoy standard-issue superhero stuff. Plus, my copy of this book is in very nice condition. I am happy to read beat-up old comic books, but reading old comics that are in near-original newsstand condition makes me extra nostalgic — it really takes me back.

Next time — A mighty Marvel magazine!