The character first appeared as Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four #164 (November 1975) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist George Pérez. After several years as a minor supporting character, she became a herald of Galactus and assumed the name "Nova" in Fantastic Four #244 (July 1982) by John Byrne. The character was killed in Silver Surfer #75 (December 1992). Writer Kathryn Immonen and artist Tonči Zonjić revived Frankie Raye in the Heralds limited series in 2010. While working for the United Nations as an interpreter, Frankie Raye meets Johnny Storm and becomes his girlfriend, despite her fear of fire. The couple soon breaks up, despite an attempt at reconciliation by Johnny. A brief encounter by the two some time later results in an unpleasant reaction by Frankie. They eventually begin to see each other again. Her fear is eventually explained to be the result of a mental block induced by her stepfather, Phineas Horton, after she was accidentally doused with the chemicals which caused the android original Human Torch (his creation) to burst into flame, in an attempt to prevent her from using the Torch-like powers granted to her by the accident. After breaking through the block, she regains her full memory and discovers her previously repressed superhuman powers. She aids the Fantastic Four for a short time, until she volunteers to become the new herald of Galactus. She takes the name "Nova". Having previously demonstrated what the Fantastic Four deemed an alarming willingness to kill opponents, she claims to have no compunction about leading him to sentient populated planets and proves that when she leads the Devourer of Worlds to the Skrull home-world to consume it. Nova later attends the trial of Reed Richards by the Shi'ar Empire. When Richard Rider resumes his Nova identity alongside the New Warriors, he is briefly called "Kid Nova" to distinguish him from Raye.(via Wikipedia)
