NOVA
(from Reality-691)
Real Name: Frankie Raye
Identity/Class: Alternate Earth (Reality-691) (late 20th to early 26th centuries) human mutate, later empowered by Galactus
Occupation: Herald of Galactus;
(as the Human Torch) Super-hero
former nterpreter at the United Nations
Group Membership: Heralds of Galactus;
(as the Human Torch) Fantastic Four
Affiliations: Galactus; Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd);
formerly the Fantastic Four (especially Johnny Storm)
Enemies: Everyone who feared the coming of Galactus; Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd), Firelord (Pyreus Kril), Thor (Dargo Ktor) from Earth-8710
Known Relatives: Thomas Raye (secretly Phineas T. Horton, step-father, deceased), Lanette Raye (mother, deceased), unidentified father (deceased), Victoria Anderson (step-niece, deceased)
Aliases: Human Torch
Base of Operations: Mobile throughout space
formerly New York City, New York, United States of America
First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (May, 1992)
Powers/Abilities: Prior to being mutated, Frankie Raye possessed the normal abilities of a teenager of her size, weight and build.
After being doused in the unspecified chemicals which had been used in the creation of the android Human Torch, Frankie gained superhuman abilities similar to (but less powerful than) those possessed by the Human Torch (Johnny Storm). As a Human Torch herself, Frankie could envelop all or parts of her body in a fiery plasma without harm to herself. This plasma (a super-heated state of matter) was generated by the mutated cells of her body, and Frankie could mentally manipulate it for various effects, including flight and the projection of energy releases in the form of heat blasts. Her powers also rendered her immune to harm from any external heat sources that were below her maximum output.
As Nova, Frankie's flame powers were massively enhanced by the Power Cosmic bestowed upon her by Galactus. Nova could then mentally manipulate cosmic energy in the form of stellar fire and use it for various effects. With the energies contained within her body making her the humanoid equivalent of a miniature star, Nova could project any of the types of electromagnetic energies generated by stars (i.e., heat, light, gravity, radio waves and charged particles) from any point on her body. Nova could easily generate enough heat to burn through virtually any Earthly substance (notably excepting Adamantium). Nova could project a stream of fire resembling a solar flare for distances of up to several hundred miles (usually as a signal to Galactus). Her flight power was enhanced so that Nova could fly at near-light speeds through interstellar space and she could safely travel through hyperspace on her own power with no need for a starship.
So that Nova's body would be able to withstand the nuclear energies that were to course through it, Frankie's organic carbon-based body was transformed by Galactus into a cosmic form that was almost completely impervious to harm, so much so that she could fly through stars without being injured by the intense heat, pressure and gravity present within them. Her cosmic form was also normally far stronger than any human being and she could lift (press) approximately 40 tons. Additionally, she could use her energy to augment her physical strength to even greater levels.
As Nova, Frankie Raye could survive indefinitely in space, needing neither atmosphere nor warmth. With her original life force replaced by the Power Cosmic, Nova absorbed cosmic energy into her new body's aura (energy field) which then fed her physical form so that she no longer needed to eat or drink. Sustained by ambient cosmic energy, Nova no longer aged and was immune to death by natural causes.
Nova's whole body, especially her head, was usually plumed with cosmic energy resembling flames, and her entire body was covered with a golden sheath of unknown material.
While Nova's intelligence remained normal, her cosmic form possessed godlike durability and stamina and her agility and reflexes were at superhuman levels.
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 140 lbs. (in Earth gravity)
Eyes: Blue; (as Nova) yellow (no visible irises or pupils)
Hair: Red; (as Nova) orange flames
Skin: Pink; (as Nova) golden
History: The life experiences of the Frankie Raye from the planet Earth in Reality-691 are presumably somewhat similar to those of the Frankie Raye who existed in Reality-616. Like her Earth-616 counterpart, Frankie was the step-daughter of "Thomas Raye" (who was secretly Professor Phineas T. Horton) and when she was 14, she was doused in special chemicals which mutated her and gave her flame powers. Her horrified step-father hypnotized her into forgetting about what had happened, and the powers she had gained. Over six years later (in "1982"), Frankie discovered her powers, regained her memories and began to work with the Fantastic Four as another Human Torch. It was soon afterwards, when Galactus was so weakened that he felt that he would have to consume Earth in order to live, that Frankie volunteered to become his Herald if he would spare Earth. Galactus agreed and transformed her body so that she could carry out her duties as his new herald.
(Note: Given that the point at which Reality-691 diverged from Reality-616 has never been revealed/established, including most of the adventures which the 616 version of Frankie Raye experienced as a herald in this profile would be mere speculation. However, there is one exception)
(Silver Surfer III#1 (fb) - BTS/Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Nova was captured by Skrulls who held her hostage in order to force Galactus to consume one thousand Kree worlds. The Silver Surfer, who had just escaped from Earth, won a pardon from Galactus after he successfully rescued Nova from the Skrulls. As a result, the Surfer would no longer be affected by the barrier that Galactus had placed around Earth.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb) - BTS) - Nova served Galactus as his Herald for over five hundred Earth-years and came to feel strongly towards him. Although aware of her emotions, Galactus could not return them but was grateful for her loyalty.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb) - BTS) - During this period, Nova was a friend and a confidante to the Silver Surfer, and, at times, much more.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb) - BTS) <early 26th century> - For reasons that have never been explained, Galactus and Nova began to travel to Earth.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb) / Guardians of the Galaxy I#62 (fb) - BTS) - Shortly after having met the time-traveling Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time, the Silver Surfer, who was by then the Protector of the Universe, was contacted by "Eon" who told him that he had to get to the Earth immediately because it was in deadly danger from Galactus! Unaware that "Eon" was actually the malevolent Era, Eon's son who had killed his mother and assumed her identity over five hundred years earlier, the Surfer left for Earth right away.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#62 (fb) - BTS) - Era secretly arranged for Norrin Radd to meet Dargo Ktor so that the two of them would, by working together, be able to kill Nova. Era may (or may not) have caused Dargo to be transported from his native time (Earth-8710 in the last decade of the 26th century) to where Era wanted him to be (Earth-691 in the early 26th century).
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb)) - After arriving on Earth, the Silver Surfer was met by a mortal (Dargo) who wore the raiment of the thunder god, Thor. Mistaking the Surfer for an enemy, Dargo attacked him, and the two battled briefly until they realized that their cause (stopping Galactus?) was the same. They were soon joined by Firelord, who had sought out the Surfer to inform him of a catastrophe that was about to happen. However, before Firelord could deliver his news, Galactus and Nova arrived on Earth.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb)) - Believing that they knew why Galactus had come, the Surfer, Firelord and Dargo stood shoulder-to-shoulder in defense of Earth. The trio unleashed the awesome might of their powers in one unified blast directed at Galactus but Nova reacted instantly, intercepting the blast, and she was killed!
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb)) - Nova's death caused the battle to stop as even Galactus was affected by it. Galactus softly said, "Nova.." and then, as he caused her body to float up towards him, he stated that, although he could not return the emotions she had felt, he had been grateful for her loyalty. As his left hand closed around her body, Galactus stated that he was absorbing her Power Cosmic back into himself, making her more a part of him in death than she ever could have been in life. And then her body was gone.
Galactus then confronted the trio, calling them "A false godling and two faithless heralds." He told them that they should take comfort in the fact that Galactus was above such petty conceits as revenge. Then, as Galactus left Earth, he informed them that, because of the treachery unleashed that day by two he had once trusted, he would never commission a herald again.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (fb)) - With the crisis over, Firelord was able to tell the Surfer that the planet Zenn-La was about to explode, and the Surfer used his Quantum-Bands to move them both through Quantum Space. However, despite their extreme speed, the duo arrived too late, and they could only helplessly watch as Zenn-La exploded into cosmic dust.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#25 (fb)) - After floating amid the ruins of Zenn-La for an undetermined amount of time, a grief-stricken Norrin Radd came to blame Galactus for every moment of anguish he had experienced and sought retribution by attacking Galactus. However, the planet-eater had recently fed and was far more powerful than the Surfer, even when he wielded the Quantum-Bands. Motivated by the righteous fury he had felt since Nova's death, Galactus destroyed the Surfer's board, stripped the Surfer of the Power Cosmic and the silver sheath that had protected him from the vacuum of space, and then exerted a force upon the now-human Norrin Radd that was powerful enough to propel him to the starless nether-space at the very edge of the universe.
(Guardians of the Galaxy I#24) <3018 A.D.> - Norrin Radd (now known as the Keeper) came to Earth and encountered the Guardians of the Galaxy for the second time. After putting a stop to their pointless attack, the Keeper sat them down and proceeded to tell them the true story of what had happened in the "five hundred years" since they had last met. His story included his last visit to Earth and the death of Nova.
Comments: The original Frankie Raye character was created by Roy Thomas,
George Perez and Joe Sinnott.
This alternate timeline version was created by Jim Valentino and Steve Montano.
As mentioned in the profile, the reason why Galactus and Nova had journeyed to Earth at that time was never revealed. The fact that Galactus did not, after Nova was killed, immediately begin to consume the planet suggests that that was never his intention and that in turn casts doubt of the accuracy of what "Eon" had told the Silver Surfer. Maybe this was one of the reasons why writer Michael Gallagher later retconned the "Eon" who had appeared in Jim Valentino's GOTG stories into being the malevolent Era.
Although the fact that Dargo Ktor helped to kill Nova would seem to
place her death in his time period (i.e., sometime after 2593 A.D.), two other sources place it in the
early 26th century. First, when talking to the Guardians in 3018 A.D., the Keeper stated that
it had been five hundred years since they had last met. Second, when Era was taunting Starhawk (Stakar)
and Kismet, he stated that he had arranged for Norrin Radd to meet Dargo five hundred years after he had
convinced the Silver Surfer to abandon Earth during the War of the Worlds. Five hundred years before
3018 A.D. and five hundred years after 2001 A.D. definitely works out to the early 26th century,
at least 60 years before Dargo first found Mjolnir in 2587 A.D. Clearly some form of time travel must
have occurred in order for Dargo to be on Earth-691 at that time.
All true, but it could also have been an approximation, saying 500 years, rather the 531 years or 486 years, etc.--Snood
Since this character only appeared in four panels and didn't even have any dialogue, it seemed wasteful to devote a whole profile to her so I was just going to include her as a subprofile on a profile of the Galactus from Reality-691. However, I was able to rationalize doing a full profile when I realized that Era had specifically stated that he had arranged her death. Also, it gave me the chance to emphasize how odd Dargo's involvement was because Nova's death clearly occurred decades before he found Mjolnir. I can only guess that writer Jim Valentino didn't have a good understanding of where Dargo lived since he seems to have assumed that Dargo existed in the same timeline as the Guardians.
On their first trip into the past, the Guardians of the Galaxy arrived in the year "1975" (topical reference) and writer Steve Gerber assumed that the Guardians came from an Earth that was a possible future of the "mainstream" Earth. So, is Frankie's transformation into Nova, which occurred in Fantastic Four I#244 (July, 1982), something that could have happened in the Earth-691 timeline? At first glance, the answer would be "no" since Major Astro's brief recap of his world's history included the first skin cancer epidemic in 1982. However, since the Marvel Universe exists on a Sliding Timescale, the nine years that passed between the publication of Defenders I#26 and Fantastic Four I#244 would only amount to little more than two years in Marvel Time. So, when Major Astro was telling the Defenders what their future might hold, Frankie's transformation would have been scheduled, for lack of a better word, to take place c. 1977, well before the more negative aspects of his timeline manifested themselves. This means that many of the stories from the mainstream timeline that were published before 2000, including Frankie's transformation and the Silver Surfer being pardoned by Galactus (in Silver Surfer III#1), could have taken place on Earth-691 without catching up to and contradicting the previously-established history.
Also, the fact that Earth-691 is apparently not affected by the
same sliding timescale as Earth-616 makes it even more likely that Frankie's hypothetical involvement
with the Fantastic Four and her two transformations all took place earlier in history than the dates
when the stories about her 616 counterpart's activities were published in the real world.
The fact that this character is only ever referred to as "Nova" means that, technically, I am only assuming that she is an alternate version of Frankie Raye. After all, it's not totally impossible that she could actually have been a completely different female human(oid), perhaps from some alien planet, who had agreed to become a Herald and been transformed into that form by Galactus. Still, until someone writes a story that supports that idea, I'm okay with assuming that she was Frankie Raye.
Credit where credit is due: I obtained the data about how Frankie Raye's Human Torch and Nova powers functioned from the deluxe and master editions of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.
Profile by Donald Campbell.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Nova (Frankie Raye) from Reality-691 is an other-dimensional counterpart of:
Nova (Frankie Raye) has no known connections to
images: (without ads)
Guardians of the Galaxy I#24, page 18, panel 1 (main image)
page 19, panel 2 ("heroes" firing the fatal blast)
page 19, panel 4 (Nova being killed)
page 20, panel 1 (Galactus with Nova's corpse)
page 20, panel 2 (Galactus reabsorbing Nova's Power Cosmic)
Appearances:
Guardians of the Galaxy I#24 (May, 1992) - Inked with a silver nib by Steve Montano! Edited with a
red pen by Craig Anderson! Written and drawn during a blue moon by Jim Valentino!
First Posted: 12/31/2024
Last updated: 12/31/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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