A quick check-in as we close the loop on Return to Earth Part One.
All books have shipped except for three backers we still havenāt heard from. If youāre missing your copy, please check your Backerkit messages or reach out ā we may just be waiting on an address or shipping confirmation.
On the studio side, something pretty exciting happened:
The Art of Steve Rude 2026: Inside the Studio was officially tagged as a Project We Love ā and the community momentum has been incredible.
Weāre sitting just five backers away from unlocking our next community achievement: sending a full box of sketchbooks to ComicBooks for Troops. No upsells, no pressure ā just a group of people doing something good together.
We're thrilled to report that thanks to your incredible generosity and support, we've finished fulfilling 100% of the orders from our campaign! We still have a few stragglers who haven't completed their exit surveys and a handful who just finished their time payments that we're processing right now, but otherwise - your order is already in transit to you! This is such a huge milestone for us, and we couldn't have done it without you.
Quick heads-up about tracking your international packages - we're using a new shipping service that's causing a bit of confusion, so let me clear things up!
Here's the simple version: Your package tracking might show "delivered" to Los Angeles, USA. Don't panic! That's just the first stop on your package's journey. It's at a shipping hub, getting ready to travel to you.
To track your REAL delivery: Look for an email from [email protected] with "Steve Rude Art" in the sender name. Your tracking number will start with ESUS (like ESUS301264674). This tracking shows your package's complete journey to your door.
The other good news: We've already paid all taxes, duties, and VAT for you! When your package arrives, you won't owe any extra fees. Just sign and enjoy!
If you can't find that tracking email, check your spam folder first. Still can't find it? Just reply to this email and we'll resend it right away.
Thanks for your patience while we work out the kinks with our new international shipping. You all are amazing!
If you enjoyed our polls and community shenanigans last time, we're starting it up again! Launching the 2026 Art of Steve Rude Annual Sketchbook + 45 Years of Nexus Special. Get your free wallpaper for joining the fun before we launch: https://www.steverude.com/2026skb
āTwas the week before Christmas, and all through the studio, Not a creature was stirringā¦ but a blowhard stealing the show. The boxes were stacked by the tables with care, In hopes that USPS soon would be there.
Jaynelle was packing with tape in her hair, Doing the work of three humans with her back in repair. Lynn had flown off for the holidays, well-earned and overdue, So itās ānext crew upā energy powering us through.
Brandon flew home from Florida, sun still in tow, Palm trees for desert skies and a steady warm glow. No snow on the ground, just cacti and cheer, Winter in Arizona feels a littleā¦ unclear.
Jessica sketched quietly, letting Nexus worlds grow, While dog hair floated freelyāever the woe. If you got a fuzzy packageā¦ just know youāre still loved, Thatās studio seasoning, sent straight from above.
The Dude was at his drawing board, calm as can be, Sending holiday greetings and sketching with glee. Ink flowed, pages filled, transmissions went out, āIncoming holiday message!āāno room left for doubt.
USA packages? Out the door, they flew. International orders? Processing nowāthank you for your patience too. The pets were all sleeping, not a even a blink By teamwork, caffeine, without all that overthink.
Only FIVE figure drawing books remain in the stack, Before they vanish againāwith āsold outā intact. And thanks to you, a big box packed tight with care, Is heading to the troopsāart, joy, and gratitude to share.
Weāre close to the finish line, but not done just yet, So if youāve got a moment (no pressure, no debt): Like and share the shop, YouTube videos and streams, Help us chase that 10K view average dream.
Because every click, comment, and friendly share Keeps this little studio buzzing with hope in the air. Youāre helping us finish the mailing, save Christmas, and moreā We truly couldnāt do this without you, thatās for sure.
Happy Holidays from our messy, heartfelt crew To every single one of you.
Now back to packing we goā¦ tape, dog hair, and cheerā Same time, same place, next livestream right here
PS: The Nexus Chronicles bundle and the Personalized Holiday Greeting from the Dude are officially live and sending cheer far and wide. If youāve been meaning to peek, nowās a fun moment to jump in. (www.steverude.com)
If youāre in the USA and havenāt received tracking yet, thereās a good chance your exit survey still needs to be completed so we know where (and how) to send your goodies. If youāre unsure or just want a quick status check, email us at [email protected] and weāll take care of you.
PPS: Weāre putting together some fun community clips ā if you film an unboxing, tag us or send the link. Itās the same spirit that helped us send that big box of cheer to the troops. Be sure to add the link below in the comments!
Thanks for helping us keep the gremlins away and the studio humming
š¦ Studio Update: Packing Complete and a Special Mission Awaits
The studio has been in full holiday mode all weekend. Boxes everywhere, tables covered, and a tiny army of helpers keeping things moving.
A huge thank you to our Fairy Blackmother, Aāja, who made the two hour drive with her daughter to help us pack. That kind of support is everything, and itās exactly why this community means so much to us.
Packages are officially on the move.
You should start seeing deliveries arrive this week. As soon as your package is out the door, youāll receive tracking. Keep an eye out for the box with the bright yellow warning label so you know itās from us.
Our goal is to have all domestic packages out within the next two days.
International orders will follow shortly. We are taking extra care due to new VAT rules so we can process them with the lowest possible fees and taxes for you.
šÆ Special Mission for the Crew (Two Ways to Participate)
Weād love your help with something fun and very Crew-like.
Mission 1: Studio Delivery Compilation
When your package arrives:
Record a short clip of you opening it or reacting to it
Post it and tag us wherever you share
Please also send us the link directly at [email protected] or via Discord
Weāll cut everything together into a community compilation video.
Mission 2: Ornament Video for The Dude
If you received the limited edition ornament, we have a special request.
Film yourself unwinding the ornament (instructions are on the QR sticker)
Sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Weāll compile all the clips and film a reaction video for Steve.
š What Should We Do Next?
Most of you havenāt voted yet, and we really need your input. Donāt end up on the naughty list.
Cast Your Vote Before the Gremlins Lock the Polls
You can vote in one spot or all three (we wonāt tell):
We would truly love to launch The Rude Dude Legacy Project. This is about building a creative home for animation, workshops, open studio sessions, and a place for the Crew to gather and learn.
To take that first step, we need to grow our reach together. One of the benchmarks we watch is our YouTube audience, and we are working toward around 10,000 average views per stream so we know the timing is right for something this big.
That kind of growth does not happen through algorithms alone. It happens when the Crew likes, shares, comments, and invites a few friends into the studio orbit. Every small boost helps more than you might think.
This is a true together project. When you act as our unofficial PR team, these big ideas stop feeling impossible and start feeling real. One share at a time really does add up.
ā¤ļø Thank You
Thank you for your patience, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to jump in and help. We truly could not do this without you.
Big news from the tiny-but-mighty Rude Dude Studio: Return to Earth books arrive TOMORROW. Yes, tomorrow. As in, weāre sweeping the floor, clearing table space, brewing a few gallons of coffee, and mentally preparing our spines for the great unpacking ritual.
š¦ If your pledge didnāt include a Return to Earth bookā¦
Good news: your order should already be in the mail, riding bravely across the postal system like a tiny cardboard spaceship.
šØ About Those Last Open Surveysā¦
A few BackerKit surveys were still floating out there in the void. To keep shipping on track (and because weāre a team of three, one of whom keeps threatening to duel the tape gun), we went ahead and completed any unfinished orders.
For surveys we couldnāt finalize, we temporarily set your mailing address to ComicBooks for Troops and the name on the order to āDonation.ā This way, nothing sits stuck in limbo.
If you'd prefer your rewards come to you instead of becoming a heroic donation, just complete your survey before December 31*. Easy fix, no harm done.
*This does not apply to Pay over Time backers.
š” Clearing up the Exit Survey Mystery
We heard from a few folks who thought they were done once BackerKit charged their card at the end of the campaign. Totally understandable! The crowdfunding process sometimes feels like a side quest.
Quick refresher:
The campaign charge = your pledge.
The survey = where you pick your goodies, confirm your address, and pay shipping.
You must complete the exit survey or your rewards canāt ship. (Gremlins love this loophole. Donāt let them win.)
We still have a limited batch of free Wonder Woman Christmas prints paired with a free signed bookplate going out with every physical store order. A little festive surprise from us to you becauseā¦ well, you deserve it.
With Return to Earth finally landing, we want the Crew to help guide what we build together in 2026. Each project is a different kind of dreamābut all of them are possible if we rally as a community.
Hereās the quick rundown before you cast your vote (scroll down for the poll):
šØ The Art Book ā Goal: $40k A deep-dive collection of Steveās drawings, paintings, studies, and studio notes. A love letter to the craft and a fan favorite request.
š The AE Thuneworld Edition ā Goal: $100k A giant Artist Editionāstyle hardcover of Thuneworld with scans sourced directly from the originals. Oversized, immersive, and absolutely gorgeous.
š The Nexus Legacy Project ā Goal: $1 Million The big one. This lays the groundwork for a fully animated Nexus production while also creating a lasting home base for the arts: community workshops, open-studio nights, and a dedicated creative space where animation, storytelling, and teaching can all thrive under one roof.
A long-term vision, a gift to the art community, and absolutely one of those āfuture fans will thank usā projects.
Weād love your voteāyouāve shaped this journey from the beginning, and weāre stronger together than we ever are alone.
Honestly? Weāve proven we can do anything we set our minds to.
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