Biographical Data

Real Name: Garthan Saal
Other current aliases: None
Former aliases: Nova Omega
Dual identity: Secret to Earth, known to Xandar
Current status: Deceased
Former occupations: Advisor to Queen Adora, Centurion Nova Prime, Centurion Sector Coordinator
Citizenship: Xandar
Legal status: Deceased
Place of birth: Xandar
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
Known confidants: None
Known allies: Adora, Nova, New Warriors, Malik Tarcel
Major enemies: Avengers, Nebula, Nova, Dire Wraith Queen, Firelord, Air-Walker, Fantastic Four
Usual base of operations: Xandar
Former bases of operations: Centurion Prime Starship, Xandarian brain transport ship
Current group membership: None
Former group membership: Nova Corps
Extent of education: Nova Corps Academy

Origin: Super-Nova was created during Nebula's fatal attack on Xandar. As part of an attempt to save her planet, the Xandarian queen Adora channeled almost the entire Nova Force into Garthan Saal, one of the Nova Corps and a trusted aide to the queen. Unknown to Saal, Adora also reserved one portion of the energy for Richard Rider, a former Nova Prime Centurion who fought valiantly in the Xandar/Skrull War and had returned to Earth. Rider was to join with Saal and merge the energies together to reactive the devasted Living Computers and reform Xandar. However, Saal went insane from the power and began a quest to find Xandar's destroyer, Nebula.

Using a starship of assumed Xandarian origins, Super-Nova journeyed towards Earth after discovering that Nebula had once been associated with the Avengers. During his journey to Earth, Saal encountered the former herald of Galactus, Firelord, and Starfox of the Avengers. Both were easily defeated but Starfox was able to escape and return to Earth. Starfox warns the Avengers of Super-Nova's impending arrival and the team heads into space to stop him. The Avengers rescue Firelord but are barely survive when Super-Nova blows up the starship near Earth.

Landing in Chicago, Illinois, Super-Nova battled the Avengers (East and West Coast teams), the Fantastic Four and Quasar. None of the heroes were able to stop the insane Xandarian who grew increasingly furious when no one could tell him the location of Nebula. As he was about to destroy the Earth, Reed Richards (normally a member of the Fantastic Four but was an Avenger at this time) made Super-Nova an offer. In return for sparing the Earth, Richards would give Saal a platform capable of sending him into the timestream. Nebula was believed to escaped into the timestream and the Xandarian could continue his quest for her there. Super-Nova agreed and entered the timestream.

Some time later, Saal returned to Earth in his search of Nebula. By this time, Richard Rider had regained his access to the Nova Force and Saal was drawn to him. Super-Nova felt Rider was unworthy of the power and began an all-out war to steal it. During their battle, Super-Nova threatened to destroy humanity if Rider did not surrender the power to him. In order to save lives, Rich sacrificed his powers and his life to Saal.

However, Rider was brought back by the former heralds of Galactus, Airwalker and Firelord. The heralds are also former Xandarians and agreed to help stop Super-Nova. Super-Nova captured the powerless Rider and took him to the ruins of Xandar as part of Adora's plan to restore the destroyed domed cities. On Xandar, the Living Computers began the revival process. Queen Adora was cloned and awaited the arrival of the Nova Force contained in Super-Nova and in the spirit of Rich Rider. As part of her plan, Garthan Saal had been given the physical power of the Nova Force while Rich Rider (unknown to him) contained its spirit. When the entire Nova Force was brought together in the same dimension, the Living Computers would reactivate and Adora cloned.

When Super-Nova and Rider arrived at Xandar, the two beings merged into a powerful energy form which was the full essence of the Nova Force. However, it was Rich Rider's spirit who now controlled the energy form! Rider released the energy into the Living Computers and the Xandar was alive once more just as Adora and the Protector had planned. In gratitude, Adora restored the Nova powers to Rich Rider and even enhanced them as he resumed his position of Centurion Nova-Prime.

Afterwards, Saal became Xandar's Centurion Sector Coordinator and, later, Rich Rider's replacement as Nova after Rider was judged guilty of insubordination. As the new Centurion Nova Prime, Saal fought alongside the New Warriors against the Dire Wraith Queen. Garthan Saal died during the battle and restored the Nova powers to Richard Rider.

Years later, during the War of Kings, Centurion Prime Malik Tarcel was being tortured by the Shi'Ar's Imperial Guard. He was rescued by someone claiming to be Garthan Saal and wearing the uniform of Super-Nova.

Physical Description

Height: 5' 10" (as Saal) 30' (as Super-Nova)
Weight: 200 lbs. (as Saal) 22.7 tons (as Super-Nova)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Blond
Other distinguishing features: None

Powers and Abilities

Intelligence: Normal
Strength: Superhuman Class 200+ tons
Flight Speed: Unrevealed
Speed: Superhuman
Stamina: Superhuman
Durability: Superhuman
Agility: Superhuman
Reflexes: Superhuman
Fighting skills: Nova Corps Academy training
Special skills and abilities: Super-Nova is able to generate a gravimetric pulse similar to the one a Centurion Nova Prime can generate. However, due to the amount of Nova Force contained in his body, Super-Nova's gravimetric pulse is many times more powerful. The full measure of this power is unknown but it was capable of totally destroying a Xandarian brain transport spacecraft.
Superhuman physical powers: Aside from the above listed attributes, Super-Nova was able to withstand the rigors of interdimensional and outer space travel.
Superhuman mental powers: None
Special limitations: Insanity, arrogance
Source of superhuman powers: Nova Force

Paraphernalia

Costume specifications: Special Xandarian material able to withstand the environment of outer space.
Personal weaponry: None
Special weaponry: None
Other accessories: None
Transportation: Flight along electron pathways
Design and manufacture of paraphernalia: Costume was created on the four-domed world of Xandar and displays the rank on Centurion. Based on the insignia, it is assumed that Saal had achieved the rank of Centurion during his tenure in the Nova Corps. The uniform's colors are assumed to have been altered due to the amount of Nova Force contained in Saal's body after he became Super-Nova.

Bibliography

First appearance: Avengers #301, Vol. 1
Origin issue: Avengers #302, Vol. 1
Appearances Checklist:
Avengers Vol. 1; 301, 302, 303
New Warriors Vol. 1; 40, 41, 42
Nova Vol. 3; 25
(As Garthan Saal)
Nova Vol. 2; 1
(As Nova Omega)
Nova Vol. 2; 17, 18
New Warriors Vol. 1; 60, 69, 73, 74, 75