Marvel Crisis Protocol – Yondu and Nova

For the next Marvel Crisis Protocol reviews, we have a double feature of character duos, starting with Yondu Udonta and Nova/Richard Rider. Elsa Bloodstone and Man-Thing will receive their own unboxing and build review.

This character pack, CP126 Yondu & Nova, is available for a RRP of 39.99 USD. Both heroes are probably best known for their appearances in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, but more on that below.

The set includes the following items:

• 1 Nova Miniature
• 1 Yondu Miniature
• 2 35mm Bases
• 2 Character Stat Cards
• 3 Team Tactic Cards
• 1 Insert

As usual, instructions are not included, but a 'Read This First' leaflet is included with a QR code linking to the instructions. You can also find the instructions on the website, linked under the product page.

Yondu and Nova share a sprue containing all the necessary parts. The bases come on a separate sprue, along with smaller pieces that can be used to customise the bases. The casting is well done with minor mould lines and good use of the available space.

All printed items are included in four languages: English, German, French and Spanish. As usual with Marvel Crisis Protocol stat cards, these are double-sided, showing the heroes in both 'phases'.

Let us begin the assembly with Yondu (Odunta), who is a Centaurian. He first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 in January 1969. Created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan, he has been around for a while.

He is a blue-skinned, fin-headed warrior from Centauri IV, a planet in the Alpha Centauri star system. He is also a founding member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century timeline. A master archer, Yondu uses a unique Yaka arrow that he controls by whistling.

Raised in a tribal society with strong spiritual beliefs, Yondu is a fierce warrior and mystic. He is motivated by a sense of honour and loyalty to his teammates, as well as a desire to preserve his people’s traditions. Although he is often perceived as stoic and disciplined, he possesses a deep compassion beneath his warrior exterior. Over time, he becomes a key ally in the fight against the oppressive alien empires that threaten the future of the galaxy. In Marvel Crisis Protocol, he is affiliated with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Ravagers.

The miniature is made up of lots of individual pieces to allow for a pose that shows details on every angle. Although he stands calmly, his arrow circles around him, ready to target the next enemy in sight. This is an accurate depiction of how he is portrayed in the films. Yet this pose makes him slightly impractical for transportation, this can be overlooked at the skirmish level.

The second character in CP126 is Nova, also known as Richard Rider. He first appeared in the comic book series of the same name, The Man Called Nova #1, in September 1976. His origin story is revealed in the same issue; he was created by Marv Wolfman and John Romita Sr.

Richard is a Long Island teenager who is unexpectedly chosen by the dying alien Rhomann Dey to inherit the power of the Nova Corps, an intergalactic police force. After gaining superhuman strength, flight, energy projection and access to the Nova Force, he becomes the superhero Nova.

Although he initially struggles with his newfound responsibilities, Richard eventually grows into a seasoned cosmic hero and rises to the rank of Nova Prime, leader of the Nova Corps. Motivated by a desire to protect Earth and the wider universe, he often places himself in grave danger to stop powerful threats such as Annihilus and Thanos. He is renowned for his courage and resilience, as well as for his transformation from an insecure teenager into a heroic leader. Despite experiencing many personal losses, he continues to fight for justice across the galaxy. This earns him a place among the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Nova Corps in the game of Marvel Crisis Protocol.

The miniature is split into fewer pieces than Yondu's, and depicts a classic superhero pose. It resembles the one chosen for Captain Marvel or Iron Man in the Starter Set. There are no issues with assembly here, and due to the blast beneath his feet, it is quite flexible in terms of which base you choose.

Here is a comparison of the scale. As you can see, the models are kept at a true scale of around 35 mm, making them larger than Star Wars Legion or Warhammer 40k models, but around the size of Star Wars Shatterpoint miniatures.

The poses are dynamic and, due to the way the pieces are split, they capture the details from all angles.

Conclusion

Although there are no further Nova Corps for Marvel Crisis Protocol at present, this character pack is a valuable addition to the CP222 Guardians of the Galaxy, which we will also cover here. It is a fitting addition, as you can create a larger or more focused Guardians team with the CP222 set and supplement it with CP126, rather than having to add Groot or Star-Lord to the hero squad.

The casting quality is fine, and assembly was trouble-free. I doubt that Yondu's separate arrow will survive intense gaming, but the plastic is flexible enough to handle it better than a resin or pewter model. Just be careful when picking the miniature up.

At nearly 40 USD, this is on the steeper side of pricing compared to the bigger boxes that are around 55 USD. However, compared to other skirmish games or larger companies on the market, it's not an unusual price for characters.

Marvel Crisis Protocol is a game by Atomic Mass Games and distributed by Asmodee.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.