Issue(s): Nova #3
Cover Date: Nov 76
Title: "--The deadly Diamondhead is ready to strike!"
Credits:
Marv Wolfman - Writer
Sal Buscema - Penciler
Tom Palmer - Inker

Review/plot:
A new villain called Diamondhead practices his fighting skills against a group of robots designed to look like Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Nova.

I think it's too soon for people to be aware enough of Nova for people to be building robots in his image, but since it is revealed that Diamondhead is also working against the (as of yet unnamed) Sphinx, maybe he's aware of Nova because he was tracking the fight against Powerhouse last issue. In fact, he allows himself to get arrested so that he can get the item that Condor and Powerhouse attempted to steal last issue.

Meanwhile, Nova continues to have problems at school and at home. His father is stressed out because of problems at his school, where he is a principal, and he's taking it out on Rich.

We also learn this issue that his mom works as a police dispatcher.

Nova eventually gets into a fight with Diamondhead but is unable to beat him.

He assumes Diamondhead dies in a train accident at the end of this issue, but he doesn't, and Condor contacts him to make an alliance.

Part of the appeal of the first two issues was the John Buscema/Joe Sinnott art. There's nothing wrong with Sal Buscema's art (especially inked by Tom Palmer) but it's not as special.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - first Diamondhead

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Love it anytime Sal gets to play!

The shape of Diamondhead's head makes him look like Nova's own personal candy-coated Hammerhead.