Nova (Frankie Raye)

{{Expand section|date=December 2012}}

The character first appeared as Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four #164 (November 1975) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist George Pérez. After several years as a minor supporting character, she became a herald of Galactus and assumed the name "Nova" in Fantastic Four #244 (July 1982) by John Byrne. The character was killed in Silver Surfer #75 (December 1992). Writer Kathryn Immonen and artist Tonči Zonjić revived Frankie Raye in the Heralds limited series in 2010.{{cite web|url= http://marvel.com/news/story/11518/heralds_woman_power|title= Heralds: Woman Power|first= TJ|last= Dietsch|date= March 5, 2010|website= Marvel Comics.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121019194944/http://marvel.com/news/story/11518/heralds_woman_power|archive-date= October 19, 2012|url-status= live|access-date= February 3, 2013}}{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25130|title= Immonen Summons Her Heralds|first= Dave|last= Richards|date= March 8, 2010|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081026235244/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article|archive-date= October 26, 2008|url-status= live|access-date= February 3, 2013}}

While working for the United Nations as an interpreter, Frankie Raye meets Johnny Storm{{cite comic| writer= Thomas, Roy|penciller= Pérez, George|inker= Sinnott, Joe|story= The Crusader Syndrome!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #164|date= November 1975}} and becomes his girlfriend, despite her fear of fire.{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=Rupesh |date=September 21, 2023 |title=Fantastic Four Fixes a Glaring Problem With the MCU |url=https://www.cbr.com/fantastic-four-fixes-problem-mcu/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{cite comic| writer= Thomas, Roy|penciller= Buckler, Rich; Pérez, George|inker= Sinnott, Joe|story= Death is a Golden Gorilla!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #171|date= June 1976}} The couple soon breaks up,{{cite comic|writer= Thomas, Roy|penciller= Wilson, Ron|inker= Sinnott, Joe|story= Side by Side with... Annihilus?|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #181|date= April 1977}} despite an attempt at reconciliation by Johnny.{{cite comic| writer= Wein, Len|penciller= Pérez, George|inker= Sinnott, Joe|story= Four No More!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #191|date= February 1978}} A brief encounter by the two some time later results in an unpleasant reaction by Frankie.{{cite comic| writer= Wolfman, Marv|penciller= Pollard, Keith|inker= Sinnott, Joe|story= The Andromeda Attack!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #204|date= March 1979}} They eventually begin to see each other again.{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Byrne, John|story= Back to the Basics!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #232|date= July 1981}} Her fear is eventually 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 from using the Torch-like powers granted to her by the accident.{{Cite web |last=Pellme |first=Arantxa |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Which Fantastic Four Comics Should Joseph Quinn Read For His Role As Human Torch? |url=https://www.cbr.com/fantastic-four-comics-joseph-quinn-human-torch-mcu/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Byrne, John|story= The Lady Is for Burning!|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #238|date= January 1982}}

After breaking through the block, she regains her full memory and discovers her previously repressed superhuman powers. She aids the Fantastic Four for a short time, until she volunteers to become the new herald of Galactus.{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Byrne, John|story= Beginnings and Endings|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #244|date= July 1982}} She takes the name "Nova". Having previously demonstrated what the Fantastic Four deemed an alarming willingness to kill opponents, she claims to have no compunction about leading him to sentient populated planets and proves that when she leads the Devourer of Worlds to the Skrull home-world to consume it.{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Byrne, John|story= Fragments|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #257|date= August 1983}} Nova later attends the trial of Reed Richards by the Shi'ar Empire.{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Byrne, John|story= The Trial of Reed Richards|title= Fantastic Four|issue= #262|date= January 1984}} When Richard Rider resumes his Nova identity alongside the New Warriors, he is briefly called "Kid Nova" to distinguish him from Raye.

File:Frankie-Torch.jpg]]

Nova is later rescued from Skrull imprisonment by the Silver Surfer, whom she meets for the first time.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Rogers, Marshall|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= — Free--|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #1|date= July 1987}} She then battles the Elders of the Universe.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Rogers, Marshall|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Doomsday|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #9|date= March 1988}} Galactus sends her to locate one of them, the Contemplator, and she is joined in this quest by the Silver Surfer.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Rogers, Marshall|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Space Is... Eternity!|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #10|date= April 1988}} They journey to the Coalsack Nebula where they are captured by Captain Reptyl.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Staton, Joe|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Nova|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #11|date= May 1988}} After battling Captain Reptyl,{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Rogers, Marshall|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Sick!|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #12|date= June 1988}} Nova battles Ronan the Accuser.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Staton, Joe|inker= Cockrum, Dave|story= Masques!|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #13|date= July 1988}} This is followed by a clash with a Skrull duplicate of the Silver Surfer and a romantic flirtation with the real Silver Surfer.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Staton, Joe|inker= Rubinstein, Joe; Marzan Jr., José|story= Silver Mirrors!|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #14|date= August 1988}} Nova and Galactus battle the In-Betweener.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Lim, Ron|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Resurrection|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #17|date= November 1988}}{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Lim, Ron|inker= Rubinstein, Joe|story= Heavyweights|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #18|date= December 1988}} Nova then turns her romantic interests toward Firelord.{{cite comic| writer= Englehart, Steve|penciller= Lim, Ron|inker= Williams, Keith|story= Playing With Matches|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #19|date= January 1989}}

Nova later encounters an injured Elan. She battles the second Star-Stalker, and then meets the Power Pack. A stimulator device temporarily renders her evil, until she is subdued by Reed and Franklin Richards, and Power Pack.{{cite comic| writer= Higgins, Michael; Kruchkow, Seth|penciller= Morgan, Tom|inker= Mushynsky, Andy|story= Childhood's End|title= Power Pack|issue= #56|date= June 1990}}
{{cite comic| writer= Higgins, Michael|penciller= Morgan, Tom|inker= Morgan, Tom; Mushynsky, Andy|story= Fire|title= Power Pack|issue= #57|date= July 1990}}
{{cite comic| writer= Higgins, Michael|penciller= Morgan, Tom|inker= Morgan, Tom|story= Star Struck|title= Power Pack|issue= #58|date= September 1990}}

Frankie Raye is ultimately killed by the alien Morg, who replaced her as Galactus' herald.{{Cite web |last=Lord-Moncrief |first=Devon |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Galactus' Forgotten Herald Is More Dangerous Than Silver Surfer |url=https://www.cbr.com/galactus-morg-forgotten-herald-dangerous/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Lim, Ron|inker= Christopher, Tom|story= |title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #75|date= December 1992}} The demon Mephisto later makes it appear that she returned from the dead in a failed bid to steal the soul of the Silver Surfer.{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Hall, Jim|inker= McKenna, Mark|story= |title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #96|date= September 1994}}
{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Hall, Jim|inker= Christopher, Tom|story= Temptation: Greed|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #97|date= October 1994}}
{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Hall, Jim|inker= Christopher, Tom|story= Temptation: Power|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #98|date= November 1994}}
{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Hall, Jim|inker= Almond, Bob|story= Temptation: Lust|title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #99|date= December 1994}}
{{cite comic| writer= Marz, Ron|penciller= Phillips, Joe; Grindberg, Tom|inker= Christopher, Tom; Hudson, Don; Almond, Bob|story= |title= Silver Surfer|volume= 3|issue= #100|date= January 1995}}

In the weekly mini-series Heralds, a character resembling Frankie Raye appears. Her name is Frances Hyatt, and she is a waitress at Stu's Diner in Nevada. One night, while she is working, an explosion coming from space destroys a S.W.O.R.D. facility, and the sky on Earth is filled by a flash that seems to enter Frances. When patrons come to her assistance, she lashes out, stabbing a customer. She runs out and begins driving, only to crash and meets a man whom she calls 'father'. This man is Professor Horton, long dead, who turns out to be an escaped clone from the S.W.O.R.D. facility. Upon hearing him call her 'Frakie', Frances burst into flames causing an explosion which kills the clone.{{cite comic| writer= Immonen, Kathryn|penciller= Zonjić, Tonči|inker= Zonjić, Tonči|story= Heaven or Las Vegas|title= Heralds|issue= #1|date= August 2010}}

Frances awakes in a ditch, trying to muster the strength to get up. She is found by the female superheroes Emma Frost, Hellcat, Monica Rambeau, She-Hulk and Valkyrie who are trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. Frances goes with them to the Baxter Building, home of the Fantastic Four, in the hopes of obtaining answers. They are amazed by Frances' resemblance to Frankie Raye. Though Nova is dead, S.W.O.R.D. had a similar entity captured. When the clones escaped the facility in Nevada, so did the Nova entity and it bonds with Johnny Storm while looking for Frankie.{{cite comic| writer= Immonen, Kathryn|penciller= Zonjić, Tonči|inker= Harren, James|story= Dreams Never End|title= Heralds|issue= #2|date= August 2010}}

The Nova entity escapes, Johnny but when it is unable to take Frances, it flees, setting a trap at Frankie Raye's former apartment.Heralds #3 After relaying the story of the Silver Surfer, who at some point in time, approached a 14 year old Frances and placed a portion of Frankie Raye's essence into her hoping to later reunite it with the Nova essence, Frances goes to Frankie's apartment to attempt to awaken more of Frankie's memories. There, the Nova entity kidnaps Valeria Richards, daughter of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, instead. Frances accompanies the team into space where they discover Valeria and the Nova entity in the heart of a star. The Nova entity cocooned Valeria in the suit Professor Horton had made for Frankie Raye to suppress her powers, animated by the Power Cosmic becoming the "Nova entity" itself.Heralds #4

Emma Frost senses that both Valeria and the Nova entities minds are active in this cocoon. The Invisible Woman and She-Hulk manage to pull Valeria from the living suit while Frances looks on in horror. When the suit attempts to bond with the Invisible Woman, it speaks to Frances. It tells her to save them, to be brave. Frances jumps in the way to become bonded with the being, just as the Silver Surfer told her would happen. While bonding with the suit, she remembers the words of Hellcat and Silver Surfer, claiming to not be as strong as they say she is. After becoming 'Supernova', she leaves the team, returning to Earth. Although Frances is unchanged on the inside, she now is confused and possesses great power. She returns to the diner where she works, not knowing what she is looking for. Following a conversation with the new waitress, Frances flies away trying to figure out what she wants with her new life.Heralds #5

Frances as Nova is later recruited by the Fearless Defenders to fight the Doom Maidens.{{cite comic| writer= Bunn, Cullen|penciller= Sliney, Will|inker= Sliney, Will|title=The Fearless Defenders|issue= #12|date= February 2014}}

Thor later summons Nova and other former Heralds to Asgard after Galactus crash-lands there following his confrontation with the Black Winter.Thor vol. 6 #1

Nova originally gained her superhuman powers after being mutated by exposure to unknown chemicals. Originally, she had powers similar to that of the Human Torch: flame generation, projection, and flight.

Nova later gains vastly increased powers after Galactus imbues her with the Power Cosmic. She possesses superhuman physical abilities as well as the ability to project energy from across the electromagnetic spectrum and fly at faster-than-light speeds.{{cite comic| writer= Claremont, Chris|penciller= Wozniak, Chris|inker= Milgrom, Al|story= Guess Who's Coming for Phoenix?|title= Excalibur|issue= #25|date= Early August 1990}}

• In 2016, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Frankie Raye / Nova 13th in their "Straight Fire: The Hottest Heroes in Comics" list.{{Cite web |author=C. B. R. Staff |date=December 26, 2016 |title=Straight Fire: The Hottest Heroes in Comics |url=https://www.cbr.com/straight-fire-the-hottest-heroes-in-comics/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}
• In 2018, CBR ranked Frankie Raye / Nova 9th in their "Top 20 Heralds Of Galactus, Ranked By Power" list.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mayra |date=November 17, 2018 |title=Top 20 Heralds Of Galactus, Ranked By Power |url=https://www.cbr.com/strongest-heralds-galactus-ranked/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}

An alternate universe version of Hercules encounters Nova in the 24th century in the first Hercules limited series by writer/artist Bob Layton.{{cite comic| writer= Layton, Bob|penciller= Layton, Bob; de la Rosa, Sam|inker= Layton, Bob; de la Rosa, Sam|story= — Not Just Another Galactus Story!|title= Hercules |issue= #4|date= December 1982}}

Writer-penciler John Byrne and inker Terry Austin produced a serialized story titled "The Last Galactus Story", which appeared in the anthology comics-magazine Epic Illustrated #26-34 (October 1984 - February 1986),{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The Shattered Stars (Chapter One)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #26|date= October 1984}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The Shadows in the Stone (Chapter Two)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #27|date= December 1984}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= Return of the Exile (Chapter Three)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #28|date= February 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The Rhyming Robot (Chapter Four)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #29|date= April 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The End of the Earth (Chapter Five)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #30|date= June 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The Hidden Stars (Chapter Six)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #31|date= August 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= Tunnel in the Sky (Chapter Seven)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #32|date= October 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Wiacek, Bob|story= The Dweller in Darkness (Chapter Eight)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #33|date= December 1985}}
{{cite comic| writer= Byrne, John|penciller= Byrne, John|inker= Austin, Terry|story= The Face of the Foe (Chapter Nine)|title= Epic Illustrated|issue= #34|date= February 1986}} and detailed an all-new adventure for the character. The magazine published the first nine serialized installments of what was to be a 10-part tale. Each ran six pages, with the exception of part eight, which ran 12 pages. The magazine was cancelled in February 1986, leaving the last chapter unpublished and the story unfinished.{{Cite web |last=Briscoe |first=Aaron |date=June 28, 2022 |title=John Byrne Set Out To Tell Galactus's Final Story - But Never Finished |url=https://www.cbr.com/galactus-last-story-john-byrne-marvel/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} According to Byrne, the story would have concluded with a dying Galactus releasing his power, causing a new Big Bang and transforming Nova into his successor.{{cite web|url= http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=3&T1=Questions+about+Aborted+Storylines#57|title= Frequently Asked Questions - Questions about Aborted Storylines|first= John|last= Byrne|website= ByrneRobotics.com|date= February 15, 2005|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220613151745/http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=3#57|archive-date= June 13, 2022|url-status= live|access-date= April 12, 2011}}

During the Fantastic Four's fight with Abraxas, they briefly ally with an alternate version of Nova. It is revealed at the conclusion that she is actually allied with Abraxas after her Galactus destroyed Earth even after accepting her as his herald. Nova transferred her anger for her failure to the Fantastic Four of the Earth-616 universe in the absence of her own. Abraxas subsequently draws in an army of Novas who experienced similar traumas to keep the Fantastic Four occupied while he acquires the Ultimate Nullifier. The Fantastic Four summon the assistance of an army of alternate Avengers to keep the Novas occupied.{{cite comic| writer= Pacheco, Carlos; Marín, Rafael; Loeb, Jeph|penciller= Pacheco, Carlos|inker= Merino, Jesus|story= Dark Victory|title= Fantastic Four|volume= 3|issue= #49|date= January 2002}}

• Frankie Raye / Nova appears in the Fantastic Four episode "When Calls Galactus", voiced by Leeza Miller McGee.{{cite episode|title= When Calls Galactus|series = Fantastic Four|series-link= Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)|credits= Strnad, Jan (writer); Trueblood, Richard (director)|network= Fox Kids|air-date= November 18, 1995|season= 2|number= 21}}
• Frankie Raye / Nova appears in Silver Surfer, voiced by Tara Rosling. This version is a mutant with clairvoyant and teleportation powers who Galactus recruited to replace the Silver Surfer as his herald.{{cite episode|title= Antibody|series= Silver Surfer|series-link= Silver Surfer (TV series)|credits= Brody, Larry and Gregory, Michael Steven (writers)|network= Fox Kids|air-date= April 11, 1998|season= 1|number= 8}}
• Frankie Raye appears in the Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes episode "Zoned Out", voiced by Tabitha St. Germain.{{cite episode |title=Zoned Out |series=Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes |series-link=Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes |network=Cartoon Network |season=1 |number=6 |credits=Forward, Bob; Kyle, Craig; and Yost, Christopher (writers); Ruiz, Luis (director) |air-date=October 28, 2006}}

Frankie Raye appears in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Beau Garrett.{{cite web|url= https://movieweb.com/beau-garrett-on-playing-frankie-raye-in-fantastic-four-2/|title= Beau Garrett on Playing Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four 2|date= November 20, 2006|website= MovieWeb|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190420172257/https://movieweb.com/beau-garrett-on-playing-frankie-raye-in-fantastic-four-2/|archive-date= April 20, 2019|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|access-date= April 20, 2019}} This version is a U.S. Army captain.

• In 2011, Diamond Select Toys released a Frankie Raye / Nova figure as part of the Toys "R" Us exclusive Heralds of Galactus boxset.{{Cite web |last=Goellner |first=Caleb |date=September 22, 2011 |title=Minimate Galactus And His Heralds Headed To Toys 'R' Us In December |url=https://comicsalliance.com/minimates-galactus-heralds-toys-r-us/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=ComicsAlliance |language=en}}
• In 2021, Hasbro released a Frankie Raye / Nova action figure as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line.{{Cite web |last=Nafpliotis |first=Nick |date=August 3, 2021 |title=HasLab Galactus: Frankie Raye Nova revealed as first stretch goal |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2021/08/03/haslab-galactus-frankie-raye-nova/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=AIPT Comics |language=en-us}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|url= https://www.marvel.com/characters/nova-frankie-raye|title= Nova (Franke Raye)|date= n.d.|website= Marvel.com|archive-url= https://archive.today/20190915173648/https://www.marvel.com/characters/nova-frankie-raye|archive-date= September 15, 2019|url-status= live|df= mdy-all|access-date= September 15, 2019}}
• {{comicbookdb|type=character|id=1237|title=Nova (Frankie Raye)}}
• {{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix5/novafraye.htm|Frankie Raye}}
• {{Marveldatabase|Frankie Raye}}
• {{cite web |url= http://mightyworldofbronzeagemarvel.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-girl-named-frankie-raye.html|title= A girl named Frankie Raye|first= Terence|last= Stewart|date= December 29, 2012|website= The Mighty World of Bronze Age Marvel|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924075218/http://mightyworldofbronzeagemarvel.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-girl-named-frankie-raye.html|archive-date= September 24, 2015|url-status= live}}

{{Roy Thomas}}

{{Nova Corps}}

{{Fantastic Four|state=collapsed}}

{{Silver Surfer|state=collapsed}}

Category:Characters created by George Pérez

Category:Characters created by Roy Thomas

Category:Comics characters introduced in 1975

Category:Fantastic Four

Category:Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities

Category:Marvel Comics female superheroes

Category:Marvel Comics mutates