Steve Rude

Steve Rude
Rude in 2024
Born (1956-12-31) December 31, 1956 (age 67)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Writer, Penciller, Inker
Notable works
Nexus
AwardsRuss Manning Award 1984
Kirby Award 1986
Eisner Award 1988
Harvey Award 1991

Steve Rude (born December 31, 1956)[1] is an American comics artist. He is best known as the co-creator of Nexus.

Early life

Steve Rude was born on December 31, 1956, in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended the Milwaukee School of Art and Design, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the Madison Area Technical College.[2]

Career

In 1981, Rude and writer Mike Baron created Nexus,[3] an independent science fiction comic book with a large supporting cast. For the series, Rude designed numerous distinctive alien races, including the Thunes, the Amphibs, the Quattros, the Giz, the Demons, and others. The series ran for eighty issues although Rude did not pencil them all, and seven short, almost-yearly mini-series after the initial series ended.[4]

Rude (left) speaking with a fan at an April 2016 comics convention.

His first work for DC Comics appeared in Tales of the Teen Titans #48 (Nov. 1984).[3] Rude collaborated with writer Dave Gibbons on the World's Finest miniseries for DC in 1990.[5] DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz has noted that Rude's artwork "plays on Norman Rockwell's Americana, while his sleek sequential storytelling owes a debt to the work of Alex Toth."[6]

Rude drew two intercompany crossovers in the 1990s: the Magnus, Robot Fighter / Nexus two-issue limited series for Valiant Comics and Dark Horse Comics and The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman one-shot for Marvel Comics and DC.[3] Rude's work for Marvel includes X-Men: Children of the Atom, Spider-Man: Lifeline,[7] Thor: Godstorm, and Captain America: What Price Glory.[3]

In 2004 Rude co-created and penciled The Moth with writer/inker Gary Martin.[3]

Rude's own "Rude Dude Productions" was announced on November 15, 2006. It has published new issues of Nexus and The Moth as well as an anthology series. The new Nexus series was Rude's first work with Baron since the last issue published by Dark Horse Comics. The first Nexus issue from Rude Dude was released as issue #99 (part 1 of the "Space Opera" story), and was set immediately following the last Dark Horse issue. After a few delays, issue #100 was published, followed by the final two issues of "Space Opera" printed together as one double-sized issue.[8]

Rude returned to DC Comics in 2013 and drew the Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill one-shot.[9] The following year, Rude and writer Jerry Ordway produced a Superman story for DC's Adventures of Superman digital series.[10] Rude drew the 1930s variant cover for Action Comics #1000 (June 2018).[11]

Steve Rude was the subject of the documentary film Rude Dude: The Steve Rude Story. Filmed over the course of three years, Rude spoke of his efforts to enter the fine art world and his struggles with bipolar disorder.[12]

Awards

Rude received the Russ Manning Outstanding Newcomer Award in 1984.[13][14] He has won several "Best Artist" awards including the Kirby Award in 1986,[15] the Eisner Award in 1988,[16] and the Harvey Award in 1991.[17] He received an Inkpot Award in 1988.[18]

Bibliography

Capital Comics

  • Nexus #1–3 (1981–1982)
  • Nexus vol. 2 #1–6 (1983–1984)

Comico

Dark Horse Comics

  • Dark Horse Presents #138 (The Moth) (1998)
  • Dark Horse Presents vol. 2 #12–15, 18, 23–26, 29–34 (2012–2014)
  • The Moth #1–4, Special #1 (2004)
  • Nexus #89–98 (1996–1997)
  • Nexus: Alien Justice #1–3 (1992–1993)
  • Nexus Meets Madman #1 (1996)
  • Nexus: The Origin #1 (1992)
  • Nexus: The Wages of Sin #1–4 (1995)
  • San Diego Comic-Con Comics #1 (1992)

DC Comics

First Comics

  • E-Man vol. 2 #7 (one page) (1983)
  • Grimjack #6 (1985)
  • Munden's Bar Annual #1 (1988)
  • Nexus vol. 2 #7–22, 24–28, 33–36, 39–42, 45–50, 52–55, 58–60, 78 (1985–1991)
  • The Next Nexus #1–4 (1989)

Image Comics

  • Phantom Force #2 (1994)

Marvel Comics

Rude Dude Productions

  • The Moth Special Edition #1 (2008)
  • Nexus, FCBD 2007 #1 (2007)
  • Nexus: Space Opera #1–4 (2007–2009)

Valiant Comics

References

  1. ^ Miller, John Jackson (June 10, 2005). "Comics Industry Birthdays". Comics Buyer's Guide. Iola, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  2. ^ Knowles, Chris (May 2000). "Steve Rude Interview: Rude's Awakening". Comic Book Artist (8). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 16, 27.
  3. ^ a b c d e Steve Rude at the Grand Comics Database
  4. ^ Dabbene, Peter (July 25, 2016). "At Nexus of Independence: Marking 35 Years With a Classic Comic Character". Foreword Reviews. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1990s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Writer Dave Gibbons and artist Steve Rude presented a three-issue miniseries...that proved the World's Finest team of Superman and Batman was still relevant. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Levitz, Paul (2010). "The Modern Age 1998-2010". 75 Years of DC Comics The Art of Modern Mythmaking. Cologne, Germany: Taschen. p. 692. ISBN 9783836519816.
  7. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2012). "2000s". Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 262. ISBN 978-0756692360. The mysterious tablet [from The Amazing Spider-Man #75] finally returned in this three-issue miniseries written by Fabian Nicieza and beautifully illustrated by Steve Rude. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Price, Matthew (September 28, 2007). "Word Balloons: 'Nexus' on hold until January". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  9. ^ Gerding, Stephen (November 2, 2012). "Wein and Rude Craft Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill One-Shot". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015.
  10. ^ Khouri, Andy (April 11, 2014). "Jerry Ordway & Steve Rude's Adventures of Superman Is Like 'A Lost Fleischer Cartoon'". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "DC Unveils Final Variant For Action Comics #1000". Previews. Diamond Comic Distributors. March 7, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Check Out New Documentary On Legendary Artist Steve Rude". Tripwire Magazine. February 4, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Steve Rude". Lambiek Comiclopedia. 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "Russ Manning Award". San Diego Comic-Con International. 2014. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014.
  15. ^ "1986 Jack Kirby Awards". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. n.d. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014.
  16. ^ "1988 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. n.d. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014.
  17. ^ "1991 Harvey Award Nominees and Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. n.d. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013.
  18. ^ "Inkpot Award Winners". Hahn Library Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steve Rude.
Preceded by
n/a
 Nexus penciller
1983–1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Nexus penciller
1987–1989 		Succeeded by