First things first — I owe you an apology and an explanation. It's been over a month since I've sent any kind of update on the 2026 sketchbook crowdfunder, and that's on me. Pull up a chair to the drawing table, because here's the full, honest story of what's been happening here at the studio.
You already know December was rough. Like, "electricity getting shut off and staring down the very real possibility of closing everything" rough. On New Year's Eve, we put out the call — and you showed up. Over 200 orders poured in that weekend. I'm not exaggerating when I say you saved us.
Here's where "be careful what you wish for" comes in (in the best possible way). We were not staffed for 200 orders. We went from survival mode straight into scramble mode — and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But it did mean the 2026 crowdfunder launched faster than we were ready for, which put us behind on production from the jump.
Once the crowdfunder wrapped, we put out another call — this time for designers and help. And just like before, the universe delivered. We've brought on a part-time project manager (who we're hoping to grow into a full-time role!) and a designer dedicated to the Battle for Thuneworld Artist Edition Hardcover. That's huge for the future of the studio.
The honest truth? All of that reorganizing pushed me personally even further behind on the actual 2026 sketchbook production. So we've made the call to bring in a dedicated book designer to get that project across the finish line — which will move things along much faster than if I were juggling everything myself.
One more thing I want to be upfront about — the exit surveys haven't gone out yet, and I know some of you have been waiting on those. Here's the plan: I'm spending this next week pulling together everything the new book designer needs to hit the ground running. Once that's handed off, sending out those surveys is next on my list. Thank you for your patience on that too!
Here's where things stand:
📚 2026 Sketchbook — new anticipated shipping date: April
🎨 Battle for Thuneworld Artist Edition Hardcover — launching end of March (yes, that means the sketchbook won't have shipped yet when we open that campaign — we just want to be upfront about that!) ( https://www.steverude.com/thuneworldae)
Thank you. Genuinely. For your patience, your grace, and for being the kind of community that shows up when it matters. We're getting our footing, we're building the team, and we're so grateful you're on this ride with us.
Come hang out with us this Saturday at 1:30 PM Arizona time — Steve's live on YouTube every week and it's always a good time. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/steverudethedude
And if you want to be part of keeping the studio lights on (literally, lol), we'd love to have you over at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steverude
With so much gratitude,
Jaynelle Studio Manager, Rude Dude Studios (and my entire amazing volunteer crew)
The campaign is officially in the books and wow... YOU did it. Again.
Every time I think this community can't surprise me, you prove me wrong. From the bottom of our hearts here at the studio - thank you. You're not just backing a sketchbook, you're keeping this dream alive. (And yes, literally paying our mortgage. We don't forget that.)
WHAT’S NEXT (THE NEXT TWO WEEKS)
We’ll be heads-down getting the 2026 Sketchbook finalized and ready for the printer.
We’ll also be building the final backer survey (sometimes called the “exit survey”), where you’ll confirm any choices/options and pay for shipping.
CHARGES: CAMPAIGN PLEDGE VS SHIPPING
There are two separate charges:
YOUR CAMPAIGN PLEDGE (NO SHIPPING)
Kickstarter / Backerkit will charge the pledge amount you selected in the campaign.
This does not include shipping.
SHIPPING + ADD-ONS IN THE EXIT SURVEY
When you complete your exit survey, you’ll pay shipping (and any optional add-ons you choose at that time).
If you use PayPal in the exit survey, it will be charged immediately when you submit.
If you use a credit card in the exit survey, you’ll receive a 2-day warning before that card is charged.
OUR TARGET TIMELINE
Our current plan is to run shipping charges around March 1. This is when the files go to the printer and when we start ordering shipping supplies. You will receive a 48 hour warning before cards are charged so you can make edits if you need to.
WHAT’S AFTER THAT (THE NEXT CAMPAIGN)
Get ready, because the long-awaited Battle for Thuneworld is coming in TWO oversized hardcovers - a full color edition AND an Artist Edition. Both books will hit comic shops, BUT the slipcase, remarques, and signatures? Campaign exclusive only.
TAKE THE BELOW POLL AND HELP US SHAPE THE NEXT CAMPAIGN!
AND we're adding a Nexus Thuneworld exclusive keychain to the reservation list!
Join us every Saturday at 1:30 PM Arizona time for our livestream - community fun, free art, cookies and shenanigans: youtube.com/steverudethedude
Want to be part of our inner circle? Our Patreon family gets first looks, exclusive pricing, and helps keep the studio running between campaigns: patreon.com/steverude
Thank you for being part of this. Seriously.
Onward to Thuneworld!
Steve & Jaynelle Rude (& the Rude Dude Studio Crew)
⚡ Printable Mini-Poster Sheet - Four studio-quality mini posters ready to print, cut, and stick wherever you need a little Nexus energy
No upsell. No catch. Just a gift from us to you for showing up and being part of this crew.
Every backer gets this. Digital delivery after the campaign.
So... what's next?
We're 50 away from 400 backers and the Nexus 45th Commemorative Sticker - an exclusive that goes in every physical order. You can't buy it. You can only unlock it together.
Share the campaign. Tag your comic-loving people. Let's keep this train rolling!
No livestream today. Steve's not up to being on camera, so we're giving him a breather. Thanks for understanding.
We're at 314 of 400 backers across both platforms, which means just 86 more unlocks the Nexus 45th Sticker Drop for all mailed orders. Five days left. We can do this.
And the leaderboard? It's getting spicy. Trevin's holding the lead at 2,755 (on track for the sketch AND cookies), but BuckKickStarter is within striking distance at 2,090. Ray's in second but already won a sketch last campaign, so he's just here for the cookies and chaos. Meanwhile Jaleesa is only 50 points outside the cookie cutoff at #5.
If you were planning to hang out with us today, come say hi on the community page instead:
PS REMINDER If you did the reservation, but didn't back the campaign on Backerkit you will NOT get the reservation bookplate. You have to back the campaign ($5 comes off your pledge)
That means a box of 2026 Sketchbooks is heading to service members through our friends at Comics for Troops. YOU made that happen. Not us - YOU. Every single pledge pushed us closer, and now someone in uniform is getting some Steve Rude Art in their life.
But we're not done yet.
Achievement #2 is live: The Nexus 45th Sticker Drop
Get us to 400 backers and we're tucking an exclusive 45th anniversary sticker into every physical order. Softcover? Sticker. Hardcover? Sticker. Remarque? You better believe there's a sticker.
This isn't something you can buy later. It's only unlocked if we hit 400 together.
Where we're at: 300 down, 100 to go
Share the campaign. Tag your comic book friends. Drag someone to the party. Let's get those stickers!
