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.
Pull up a chair. This is year 17 of Steve’s annual “here’s what came out of the studio this year” tradition. Some pieces are polished paintings. Some are sketchbook discoveries. Some started as experiments and turned into favorites. And that’s exactly why we make this book.
Since 2003, Steve has been collecting a year’s worth of artwork — paintings, commissions, studies, and select sketchbook pages — into one annual volume.
The Art of Steve Rude 2026 is a curated look back at the work created this past year, with occasional behind-the-scenes notes and links when there’s more to explore.
And this year, we’re also celebrating 45 YEARS OF NEXUS, so you’ll spot new Nexus artwork woven throughout..
Inside you'll find:
Finished paintings and commissions
Studies that led somewhere interesting
Pages from Steve’s sketchbooks
New Nexus pieces created for the anniversary
A few unexpected late-night experiments that turned into keepers
Whether you've collected all 16 previous books or this is your first one, welcome to the studio.
Here's the truth - these annual books keep the studio doors open and the lights on. They fund more than just printing. They protect Steve's time at the drawing table, help document the work as it evolves, and give you a seat at the table while the art is happening - not just when it's polished and done.
This year also connects directly to something huge we're working on: The Nexus Encyclopedia (working title-vote in the community tab!). More on that below, but supporting here helps make that dream project possible.
BackerKit is watching. Every share, like, and comment gets you points. Points get you prizes. Big prizes.
GRAND CHAMPION:
Free 9x12 original sketch from Steve! Last time, Ray won and requested Doc Savage. Steve got so jazzed he went full ham and created a masterpiece. Ray's still recovering from the awesome. What will this year's champion unleash?
RUNNERS-UP (Top 4):
Jaynelle's homemade cookies. Shipped to your actual house. Not store-bought. Not "inspired by." Real cookies from our real kitchen to your real mouth. Previous winners have described them as "life-changing" and "worth fighting dirty for." We don't endorse fighting dirty, but we get it.
The Rules of Engagement:
Share like your life depends on it.
Comment like you're getting paid.
Watch that leaderboard like a hawk.
BackerKit tracks everything. Top scorer when the campaign ends wins Steve's sketch. Next four highest get cookies.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
Note: Ray won last time so he's not eligible for another free sketch though he's still in the running for those cookies!
Quick update: We're changing the name from "Compendium" to "Encyclopedia" because people kept asking what a compendium was. Same massive project, clearer name.
Here's the deal:
That definitive Nexus reference we've been talking about for over a decade? It's happening. A former Nexus editor is on board, our designer has already spent years assembling material, and we're ready to go.
The missing piece: funding.
For $49, you join the Nexus Family.
Your support goes directly to the people doing the work — paying the editor, supporting the designer, covering research and organization to turn 45 years of Nexus history into one definitive Encyclopedia. No overhead, no marketing budget. Just the actual work.
What Nexus Family members get:
Behind-the-scenes Encyclopedia updates
Special Discord access
Your name in the Nexus Family section of the Encyclopedia
When ready, eligibility for a Family-only hardcover edition with sewn-in thank-you page (at regular hardcover price)
Available as a standalone tier OR as an add-on to any sketchbook reward.
We won't launch the Encyclopedia itself until it's nearly complete. The Nexus Family funds the work happening right now, with you watching it come together.
Without this support, the Encyclopedia doesn't happen. With it, we finally make history.
We’re running this project on both Kickstarter and BackerKit.
Pick whichever feels best to you. Same books, same editions, same core rewards.
BackerKit is where the studio extras live.
That’s where you’ll find the $5 pre-launch reservation, the free community rewards like art and cookies, and all of the original Steve Rude paintings offered as add-ons.
Kickstarter is great if you like the familiar setup.
BackerKit is where the behind-the-scenes magic happens.
Either way, you’re part of this year’s drawing table. We’re just happy you’re here.
Steve's painted Nexus and Sundra piece celebrating 45 years. This is the anniversary showstopper.
It comes with a sewn in, hard signed signature page, and is shrink wrapped.
UPGRADE: A limited number of them will have a Nexus Remarque sketch! Miss out? Join our SUNDRA Patreon - unlimited remarque tier.
Softcover - "Dave & The Case of the Vanishing Royalties"
Classic detective noir. Because sometimes you need a monkey solving mysteries. The signed bookplate is included with signed editions only or you can purchase it separately.
Fine Art Variant - "Tropical Brianna"
Steve's painted figure work, presented as the gallery-quality art it is. For collectors who appreciate the fine art side of Steve's work. All books come with the signed bookplate!
Each edition has the same interior content - same sketches, same notes, same everything.
Just pick the cover that speaks to you. Or grab all three, we won't judge.
Instead of adding random stuff that clutters your shelf, we’re doing something different.
This year, we’re using community achievements, small milestones we unlock together as people show up, share, and take part in the studio. Some unlock digital goodies. Some unlock special studio moments. Some even put Nexus books into the hands of people who need them.
We won’t post a big checklist. We’ll announce each achievement as it unlocks during the campaign so it stays playful, flexible, and driven by the community.
That’s a real shipment from the studio, packed and mailed as part of this campaign. No extra cost to backers — just the community doing something good together.
Hey comic shops! We've got your back with a Retailer Starter Bundle. Mix and match what works for your shelves. Need different ratios? Email us. Every shop is different and we're flexible.
You'll get wholesale pricing on add-ons too. And shipping's collected later like everyone else.
Shipping is collected separately and calculated after the campaign through the survey.
USA Shipping
For 2026, U.S. shipping will be $15. This reflects the real cost of packing materials, handling time, insurance, and shipping fees, with crowdfunding and credit card processing costs factored in. This helps us ship your books safely and sustainably.
International Shipping
International shipping rates remain unchanged and are calculated by region. All international shipments are sent DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) whenever possible, meaning duties and customs fees are prepaid so your package arrives without surprise charges.
We primarily ship via ePost Global Priority, Global Post, FedEx, and Passport Priority DDP.
Rehoming Orders
Life happens — we get it. If something comes up and you need more time to complete your survey, just let us know. We’re always happy to work with you.
That said, we can only ship rewards after surveys are completed, including payment of shipping. If we don’t hear from you within 90 days after surveys are sent, we’ll make sure your rewards find a good home through ComicBooks for Troops, where they’ll brighten someone’s day.
Survey emails come from [email protected], so please keep an eye out or check your BackerKit account if you don’t see it right away.
Life happens! Job changes, moves, alien abductions — we get it. If you need extra time to complete your survey or pay shipping, just shoot us a message. We're ridiculously flexible.
That said, after 90 days of radio silence (despite our increasingly concerned emails from [email protected]), we'll assume you've joined a monastery or been recruited by the Heads. Your rewards will be donated to ComicBooks4Troops, where they'll make someone's deployment a little brighter.
Pro tip: Add [email protected] to your contacts now so our survey doesn't end up in spam jail. Or check your BackerKit account directly — the survey lives there too!
After 23 years of annual books and 45 years of Nexus, we're still here because of you. This isn't just a book - it's how we keep creating, keep the studio running, and keep this whole beautiful thing going.
Every year you ask "when's the next sketchbook?" and every year we're grateful you still care.
So thanks for being here. Thanks for getting it. Pull up that chair, grab your spot, and let's make year 17 something special.
See you Saturday on the livestream (1:30 PM Arizona time) where Steve will preview some pages and probably draw something backwards.
— Steve & Jaynelle Rude & Crew
P.S. - Seriously, don't miss that 72-hour Earlybird hardcover deal. We can't bring it back once it's gone.
Need to spread out the cost? We've got you covered!
BackerKit offers Pay Over Time for pledges of $150 or more. Split your pledge into 4 equal monthly payments with no extra fees or interest.
How it works:
Choose any reward tier $150+
Select "Pay Over Time" at checkout
Pay 25% now, then 25% monthly for 3 more months
Your pledge manager survey arrives after final payment
This is perfect if you want that remarque edition or multiple rewards but need to manage your budget. No credit checks, no third-party apps - just BackerKit making it easier to support the studio.
A quick thing to know:
BackerKit cannot send surveys or lock in reward choices until all payments are completed. That means Pay Over Time backers will receive their survey after the final payment is processed.
This does not change what you receive, only when your order is finalized.
