Nova (Frankie Raye) is a fictional character appearing in the
| Nova | |
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| File:Silver Surfer 1 (1987).gif Nova in the arms of the Silver Surfer, on the cover of Silver Surfer #1 (July, 1987). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #164 (November, 1975) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas (writer) and George Perez (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Frankie Raye |
| Team affiliations | Fantastic Four, former herald of Galactus |
| Abilities | Fire manipulation, flight; (As herald of Galactus) ability to survive in a vacuum, superhuman strength and durability, other powers greatly enhanced |
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Fictional character biography
She was originally the Human Torch's girlfriend who happened to be afraid of fire. Later, this was explained to be the result of a mental block induced by her stepfather, Phineas Horton, after she was accidentally doused with the chemicals which caused the android original Human Torch (his creation) to burst into flame, in an attempt to prevent her using the Torch-like powers granted her by the accident.
After breaking through the block, she aided the Fantastic Four for some time, until she volunteered to become the herald of Galactus. She claimed to have no compunction about leading him to sentient populated planets and proved that when she led the Devourer of Worlds to the Skrull homeworld to consume it in her period of service. When Richard Rider resumed his Nova identity alongside the New Warriors, he was briefly called "Kid Nova" to distinguish him from Raye. Frankie Raye was ultimately killed by the alien Morg, who had replaced her as Galactus' herald, in Silver Surfer #75 (1992), although the demon Mephisto later made it appear that she had returned from the dead.
Other versions
An alternate future exists where she survived (or was resurrected) and continued serving Galactus until the end of the universe, at which time he would sacrifice himself to create a new universe, and she would become the Galactus of this new universe.[volume & issue needed]
Appearances in other media
Nova appeared in the 1994 Fantastic Four animated series.
In 1998, she appeared in various episodes of the Silver Surfer cartoon series. When the Surfer is trying to save citizens of Earth from Galactus, he uses his Power Cosmic to save an orphan, Frankie Raye. A rare mutant gene in her body is activated. Her gift allows her to end up where she needs to be. Galactus immediately chooses Frankie for his next herald due to her gift, thereby transforming her into Nova.
- In the scripted (unmade) episode "The Hunger" she was replaced by Terrax. She would join the Silver Surfer to return to Earth in the 3 Parter "Down To Earth" as well as meeting The Fantastic Four.
Frankie Raye is set to make an appearance in an episode of the new Fantastic Four animated series. Although she will not have her powers, MoonScoop will possibly do what Fox Kids did with Eddie Brock in Spider-Man: The Animated Series: they will continue to use her as a supporting character for the series until one episode where she gains her powers and becomes Nova. Frankie Raye is also set to appear in the upcoming movie Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.