Steve Rude Returns with a New Massive Nexus Gallery Edition Hardcover

Striking out solo as a comics creator is not always easy, but you made the publication of this over-sized hardcover possible.

The Backerkit campaign for the Gallery Edition of Steve Rude’s Nexus: Battle For Thuneworld ended on April 25th, so we want to give thanks to everyone who has supported and this story about liberation matters. 

With a hopeful crowdfunding goal of $40,000, you helped us smash through that with a total of more than $70,000 with 283 backers. That success was buoyed by your passion for the character as well as your love for The Dude’s work for the past few decades. 

Steve Rude has been open as we navigate unprecedented times in self-publishing and this whole campaign has been encouraging for his artistic journey and the next Nexus chapter Return To Earth, with more details coming later this year. 

Speaking of unprecedented, we are very happy to see such support for a story about a world under fascist regime and the fight for freedom against it. Some values, like freedom and compassion are non-negotiable, even when the most black-hearted oligarchs try to take them through propaganda or torturous expectations. In the beginning of the story, Nexus, despite the destruction left by cosmic Gourmando, never forgot his power and what it meant. 

He went through the wreckage, helping every being and survivor, never getting lost or losing sight of what was possible. He even brought his best friend Dave, the wise Thune and instigator of the titular battle, back from the brink of death. 

Like Nexus and the Mighty Judah Maccabee do, we support others through difficulty, while also managing our own struggles. Steve Rude can definitely relate, bringing characters to life on the page while supporting his crew and encouraging those studying under him

Also like the heroes of Thuneworld, you, dear readers, have been heroes for the Rude Dude Studio as well as other creators through the Hero Initiative and Heritage Auctions. Thank you supporting and celebrating heroism like this as we get closer to bringing this chapter to life through this Gallery Edition.

In the spirit of heroism, if you've read the Battle For Thuneworld already and would like to share your thoughts directly to other comic and art enthusiasts, we'd love to add it in our "What It Is!" letter column at the end of this hardcover edition. 

So, want your words in the book?

Email steve@steverude.com with your review and make sure to have What It Is! in the Subject line. 

Live every Saturday, 1:30 PM AZ: steverude.com/YouTubeLive

Launching on Kickstarter April 30th: steverude.com/ThuneworldAE