Shooting The Breeze: The Dude Answers Your Questions!

Ever curious about what goes into the making of Nexus, from its physical storytelling to its primordial inspirations? 

Well, Steve “The Dude” Rude recently took part in an amazing AMA on Reddit answering Nexus-related questions, giving more insight into his process and what he uses to make his great works. 

To start from the beginning, what are his biggest inspirations? 

The Dude has several favorite comics that guided him, and we encourage all creators to seek them out so they can be similarly uinspired. 

• “Magnus, Robot Fighter” by Russ Manning, originating in 1963
• Paul Gulacy’s run on Marvel’s “Master of Kung-Fu” with writer Doug Moench, which starts at issue #22
• Jack Kirby’s entire 1970s oeuvre, from New Gods to The Demon

What are the tools when The Dude gets started on a page?

According to Steve, his procedure has always been to blue pencil in the gestures to get the action down first. Action covers everything from what the characters are looking at to how they throw a punch. 

Once he is satisfied with that, he goes into it with an HB pencil, and after those pencils comes the ink, which he regularly goes into great detail about every Saturday on his livestream. 

Check out our most recent stream from April 25th as an example: https://www.youtube.com/live/5q9atw3nxaM?si=vgjVSRD98HniXHfA

What are his favorite bands to listen to? 

Like most people, Steve Rude loves the bands from his college days. Examples include Head East, Alice Cooper, and REO Speedwagon. He also considers himself lucky enough to be at the ground floor of the disco scene in the mid-1970s, for both music and dancing. When it comes to a modern band, he shouts out Adam Ant, with innovative yet catchy songs. 

Lastly, what influences him outside of comics? 

For this, as his greatest advice, Steve shares what he calls “The Illustratrator’s Credo” 

“The world exists as reference. Make sure you use it.” 

Thank you, dear readers, for your questions! 

Check out the full AMA here: https://www.reddit.com/r/80s90sComics/s/L6bxNvFP3F