Richard Rider gives the New Warriors an immediately recognizable kind of force. He can take to the air, move quickly and hit hard. In a crowded fight, that combination means he…

Richard Rider gives the New Warriors an immediately recognizable kind of force. He can take to the air, move quickly and hit hard. In a crowded fight, that combination means he can cross the space between a teammate being threatened and actually helping them. The collision with Cannonball in New Warriors Annual #1 puts two flying powerhouses into direct competition. It is the kind of matchup a superhero crossover almost invites, but it does not establish a tidy permanent ranking. A particular collision, in a particular fight, is not a complete measurement of either character. Rich's more important contribution comes when he reaches Night Thrasher before Shatterstar can finish what he started. It changes the purpose of his speed. Getting to someone in time matters more than proving whose charge is stronger. That difference is worth keeping in view when describing Nova in a team. Strong, fast characters can become a string of impressive measurements if their relationships are left out. Here, there is someone on the ground who needs him, and his ability to reach that person affects the shape of the fight. He also joins the airborne group approaching Proteus in the final chapter. Flying gets the heroes into position; it does not make the situation straightforward. Their opponent is not just waiting to be knocked out by the strongest person in the sky. This is Richard as part of the early Warriors, with the abilities and responsibilities visible in these stories. There is plenty to discuss without pulling later cosmic developments backward into him. In Kings of Pain, his immediate job is helping a young team survive a situation that keeps growing beyond the fight they thought they were having.