I agree with you trev, he is not officially a Nova. His power derives from his gear not instilled in him.
Sam has displayed a lot of immaturity and through 10 issues there was a lot of reasons to not like him. Plus he runs around with a deadly cosmic weapon like it was his own personal toy, hes lucky a lot of folks didnt get hurt in the process. I think Duggans recent BRB arc hammered this home..yet he is shown with some admirable traits as well, like in New Warriors when he returns to help SS , that tell us maybe a good Nova is in there.
Sam is a decent kid, but his young age concerns me. Even in the BRB arc, when he unloads on Skaarn all he can think of us the bully back home..this was a negative to me that shows hes not ready.
Lets also recall Rich Rider was depowered and stripped of his Nova status fillowing Nova vol 1..He acted as an unofficial and unsanctioned Nova for years before the corps caught up with him..he also spent a lot of time making mistakes himself.
I think Sam needs to be depowered by worldmind to more akin to Rich Rider vol 1 levels..hes too powerful and too young for the cosmic theater he needs to hang out with the warriors and fight sea urchin and megaman.
Overall , though I am starting to see potential in Sam. I think he will make a welcome addition to the Corps when marvel gets there act together and brings it back.
Btw the term Kid Nova is not bad..Sams younger than Rich..hes only 15! Thats a baby..
Rich's nova suits for much of NW vol 1 were not official corps gear, he was not in contact with the corps till later in vol 1. Night Thrasher actually built many of these suits.
However, Rich Rider was just such a great character. I do hope he comes back soon. Personally, killing Rich off is one of my least favorite moves in marvel comics history.