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The Art of Steve Rude 2026 — Inside the Nexus Studio

Created by Steve Rude the Dude

45 years of Nexus. A brand new sketchbook. Steve's painted "The Escape" cover, a year of sketches and handwritten notes — and a new way to be part of what comes next.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

🎉 DAY ONE UPDATE: WE DID IT, FAMILY! 🎉
5 months ago – Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 04:43:25 PM

FUNDED ON BOTH BACKERKIT AND KICKSTARTER IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

You all showed up and showed OUT. We're over here getting a little misty-eyed. This community never fails to blow us away.

The numbers so far:
  • BackerKit: $12,799 raised | 120 backers
  • Kickstarter: $7,076 raised | 74 backers
  • COMBINED: Nearly $20,000 and 194 backers!

Just... wow. Thank you.



🏆 LEADERBOARD UPDATE: IT'S A NAIL-BITER 🏆


Okay, this is getting GOOD.

Ray clawed his way back to #1 with 775 points—but remember, Ray already won the sketch last campaign. He's in it for glory and cookies now!

That means Trevin at #2 with 760 points is only 15 POINTS away from that free sketch! FIFTEEN. That's three likes, people. This could flip at any moment!

TooMuchDew and JohnH are neck-and-neck at #3 and #4. And shoutout to Buck jumping to 300!


🎖️ PAY IT FORWARD: 194 of 300 BACKERS 🎖️

We're 65% of the way to sending a box of sketchbooks to service members through ComicBooks for Troops. Let's get there!

This is exactly what we hoped for when we said Welcome to the studio.

You’re talking, reacting, voting, encouraging each other — and that’s what’s driving all of this forward.
We’ll keep sharing updates as things move (because watching them move is half the fun).

Thank you for being here,

Steve & Jaynelle & the Rude Dude Studio Crew

⚡️ NEXUS: 45 YEARS — TRIVIA EXTRAVAGANZA ⚡️
5 months ago – Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 04:43:28 PM


This year marks 45 years of Nexus—a series that didn’t just survive decades, but earned them through ideas, discipline, and a standard of craft that never talked down to its audience.

As part of our community celebration, we’re gonna have a Nexus Trivia Extravaganza for the community.

This isn’t about gatekeeping or “gotcha” questions. It’s about shared history -and racking up some leaderboard points!

Over the coming days, we’ll be posting poll-based trivia questions covering:

  • Key moments in the story
  • Characters, themes, and turning points
  • The ideas that made Nexus different—and enduring

Each question will be multiple choice, one correct answer, and followed by a reveal with a little context for anyone who wants to go deeper.

👉 How to participate:
  • Vote in the poll
  • Drop a comment if a moment or issue meant something to you
  • Feel free to explain why you chose your answer

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re discovering Nexus more recently—this is your invitation to take part in the fun!

Let’s celebrate 45 years of Nexus the right way -together by talking about the work, the ideas, and what’s stayed with us.

First question drops tonight. 💬⚡️


Studio Family Update: We're Renaming the Compendium (Because Words Matter, Apparently)
5 months ago – Sun, Jan 11, 2026 at 05:42:06 PM


INTRODUCING THE NEXUS ENCYCLOPEDIA

Quick update: We're changing the name from "Compendium" to "Encyclopedia" as a working title because people kept asking what a compendium was. Same massive project, clearer name.

We're at the home stretch. The Nexus Encyclopedia (working title - vote on the final name below!) is finally happening, and we need your help to finish it in 2026.

This reference book documents 45 years of Nexus history — decade-by-decade evolution, production notes, creative process. We've put together 200 pages over the past 10 years. Our designer has been at this for over a decade. 

Our editor has been working with us for 2+ years, but turns out editors also enjoy luxuries like rent and groceries — so if we want this done in 2026 instead of another decade from now, we need to make sure she can focus on Nexus instead of taking other projects to pay the bills.

The Nexus Family tier/add-on ($49) funds the actual work to finish this:

  • Behind-the-scenes updates as it comes together
  • Special Discord access
  • Your name in the book
  • Eligibility for Family-only hardcover (no extra cost)

Campaign launches Thursday, January 15 at 1 PM Arizona time

⏰ Few days left: Follow the project and download your free Nexus Anniversary Wallpaper and sign up for the signed bookplate before they're gone forever: https://steverude.com/2026skb

📺 New video: Preview of the Encyclopedia - see what we've built so far https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5oNycjFNU

🗳️ Vote on the final name in the below poll


ALERT FOR PATREON LOCKED TIERS

PATREON MEMBERS: Make sure your BackerKit and Patreon emails match or you'll be locked out of exclusive goodies!

NOT a Patreon member yet? You've got a few days to join before launch or risk contacting support to unlock your rewards later — and who has time for that! https://www.patreon.com/steverude

Saturday Livestreams - 1:30 PM Arizona time

Let's finish this together

First Update — And YOU Get to Pick the Anniversary Bookplate!
5 months ago – Thu, Jan 01, 2026 at 01:20:14 PM


Hey friends! 💙

The love you showed Steve for his birthday was INCREDIBLE. You literally helped keep our lights on — including one amazing supporter who commissioned $5,000 worth of art (you know who you are!).

Because YOU made this happen, we’re turning the birthday sale into a THANK YOU sale —
20% off everything (even commissions!) through Sunday.  👉www.steverude.com

And if you haven’t yet, grab your FREE Nexus 45th Anniversary Wallpaper when you follow the campaign (following is free!):   👉 www.steverude.com/2026skb

A quick note from Steve:

“After 45 years of Nexus, you all continue to amaze me.
 Jaynelle does the work of eight people keeping this studio running, and I just want to draw.
 But what makes it all worthwhile? Our studio family.
 Every Saturday stream, every Patreon member — you’re keeping independent art alive.
See you Saturday at 1:30pm — let’s create something amazing together.”

🎥 Livestream news (and a little challenge!)

Steve really wants to start doing full demos during our weekly livestreams.

Our amazing cameraman drives over an hour each week to make this happen — and if we can raise $100 during the stream to cover his costs, Steve will do the ENTIRE demo live, start to finish.

Join us Saturdays at 1:30pm AZ:
 👉 https://www.youtube.com/steverudethedude

And huge thanks, as always, to our Patreon family — you truly make this possible:
 👉 https://www.patreon.com/steverude

🗳️ Help us choose the reservation bookplate!

We’ve locked in the artwork — now it’s your turn:  Logo or no logo?  This will be the exclusive $5 reservation bookplate, only for people who follow and reserve early.


Cast your vote below:

(And yes — Steve signs it free!)

Thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for keeping Nexus flying. 💙

See you Saturday!