Alien warrior Rhomann Dey was mortally wounded in battle with a galactic terrorist name Zorr. Aboard his spaceship orbiting Earth, Dey used Xandarian technology to transfer his superpowers to teenager, Rich Ryder, so that he could carry on his fight against Zorr and save Earth from destruction. Dey telepathically explained to Ryder what had happened to him and what his mission was. Ryder gained superhuman strength, endurance and the ability to fly faster than the speed of sound. He then used his newfound powers and battle suit to defeat Zorr and save the Earth. Calling himself Super Nova, he now uses his incredible powers to protect his home planet and the rest of the universe from all forms of intergalactic tyranny.