A young Earthling named Richard Rider is randomly chosen by a dying alien Centurion named Rhomann Dey to inherit the powers of the Nova Corps. Rider becomes the sole surviving member of Xandar's elite force after its destruction by Zorr, gaining powers like flight, speed, strength, and durability to become a universal protector. A major plot point is the "Thanos Quest," where Thanos decimates Xandar to obtain the Power Stone, leaving Rider to pick up the pieces and protect Earth from cosmic threat, the alien pirate Zorr.
