Customer Reviews

Nexus Archives Volume 1 (v. 1)

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Horatio Hellpop, the man known as Nexus, comes to life in this deluxe hardcover volume collecting the first 7 issues of... well, "Nexus" by Mike Baron and Steve "The Dude" Rude.

The first issues (first published starting in 1981!) are in b&w, the way they were originally printed, but you do get the nice color covers (some are by Paul Gulacy) and then the four-color series kicks in. Along the way Baron's erudite writing style starts to flow and the Dude's art coalesces into something resembling his gorgeous mature work. These are two creators in their formative days coming together to tell the thrilling, philosophical and sometimes hilarious stories of Nexus as he wrestles with his destiny as a man doomed forever to kill mass murderers.

You'll meet Nexus himself, then watch as he pursues killer freaks like Zeiffer Meird and the decapitation-obsessed Clausius. As the story progresses, Nexus encounters the reporter Sundra Peale, who will become his lover, and then the nefarious and compelling Ursula X.X. Imada (plus he learns what the X's stand for). It's a sci-fi superhero tale that quotes William Blake and visually references everything from Dr. Seuss to "Star Trek." All those influences (Baron lists a few in his intro), and yet it's like nothing else.

"Nexus" was one of the indie greats of the 80s, and some of these stories were later retold more fluently by Baron and Rude, but it's worth it to have them in their original, somewhat rougher, form. Wonderful work that only improves along the way.

For anyone interested in amazing art and well-written storylines, go no further. Nexus is a joy to read, and very easy on the eyes. I originally read these quite a few years back, and I am hoping that I am not speaking through nostalgia, but i think that the stories hold up quite well. I am sorta amazed that these books are not hallowed amongst some of the best stuff that came out in the 80's. Perhaps that it was not a Marvel or DC title, i don't know. I would put Nexus, specifically the Steve Rude issues, in my top 20 comics of all time. Anyhow, I would be quite surprised to find a comic reader who would not enjoy these stories. Take a chance, you will most likely be very pleased.

I came to Nexus with fresh eyes, un-blurred by nostalgia, and I have bad news: Nexus may eventually hit its stride, with tight plotlines and deep characters, but after this I'm not going to keep reading to find out how long it takes to get there; here in Volume 1 it's just not even close.

Surely of all media, authors in this one would be well served by the classic advice to "show, not tell." Nexus's demons would be more effective if we saw their effect on him secondhand instead of having a second-rate melodrama inflicted on us as backstory far too early. Never mind how ridiculous it is for Nexus to pour out his soul to the first hot blonde who asks twice. Or how said blonde immediately abandons all former loyalties for Nexus without a second thought.

The straw that broke the camel's back is that this entire volume comes up with exactly one foil for Nexus: telepathic heads that can channel power from stars to their masters. After the third (or was it the fourth?) Bad Guy powered by heads, it got old.

I've long been a fan of Steve Rude, but haven't read all that much of Nexus. So, it's pretty overdue for me to begin reading Nexus from the beginning. This book began over 20 years ago, and it's held up surprisingly well. This volume starts off with a few black and white issues and end with the last half in color. Rude's artwork blossoms in this volume, and he is truly one of our best living comic illustrators. He's got a keen eye for amazing composition, characterization and clean and clear sequential style. His artwork is a cocktail of the best of Curt Swan, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby and Sal Buscema, and Rude holds his own in this esteemed company. Mike Baron's story is engaging and timeless, a SciFi adventure for the ages. Nice volume from Dark Horse. The color seems old fashioned by todays comic book standards of computerized color, but seems to be a good reproduction of the original. Highly Recommended.

Baron and Rude's Nexus remains one of the best science fiction/superhero series ever done and Dark Horse gives it the treatment it richly deserves in this classy archives format. To their credit, they've allowed the three black-and-white issues to remain in black-and-white rather than coloring them, allowing the reader to experience the artwork in as close as possible to its original presentation. The only thing lacking is the classic flexi-disc that was packaged with issue 3, featuring an audio dramatization of that issue's story and with the "unforgettable" Nexus theme song.

Seriously, and it only gets better and better. This is a legendary series, and yet its still under appreciated. Great characters, art and storytelling, just amazing stuff.

It's time, once more, for the daring character
play of NEXUS. The gripping saga of a noble
executioner, and the lives his activities
transform, is entering its 25th anniversary
this year. With the star-spanning, soul-
searching creations of writer Mike Baron
and illustrator Steve Rude set to enter a
new phase of their lives, there's no better
time for a handsome hardbound series of
archives to collect the original exploits
of Horatio Hellpop, Sundra Peale, Dave,
Judah, Tyrone, Ursula and all the rest who
comprise this stunning tale of tragedy,
laughter, power, ambition, and humble
affection yearning to breathe free.

Dark Horse Comics, the intrepid company
which was the third to feature the award-
winning Science Fiction chronicle, has
just issued the first volume of the NEXUS
ARCHIVES. Even if you're one of the few
to own those rare Capital Comics issues,
or the equally rare Graphitti collection
of Capital's original Black and White
debut, this Dark Horse hardcover is a
special treat all its own.
Collecting the Black & White debut &
origin of the philosopher slayer and his
myriad world, the NEXUS ARCHIVES gathers
the first four color issues of the Capital
run, and unveils the first master schemings
of one of the most compellingly evil villians
ever conceived for Fiction; one who will
manipulate anyone -even her own body- to
further her own vested ends.

The ARCHIVES is invaluable in providing a
look at the beginnings of one of the finest
teams to grace the Sequential Arts. From the
start, Baron's ability to imbue ruthlessness
with beguiling charm, tenderness with a tough
edge, and communicate camraderie and commitment
with something as simple as a cookout, or a
shared touch, has made him one of the great
writers of the past 25 years. Baron's
handling of plot and dialogue commands
the incisive candor of a playwright's
grasp.
No less the genius, Rude's fine lines convey
a wealth of diversity in body language and
emotional insistency which none surpass.
Only George Pérez and Wendy Pini match his
capacity for broad cinematic scope. As is the
case with ELFQUEST's Pini, Rude's frequent
use of painted portrait to convey the varied
levels of narrative is captivating and eye-
popping, presaging today's much-plaudited
work from brushmaster Alex Ross.

The essays written by Baron and Rude for
this collection are a treat in themselves,
providing a glimpse into the very stuff of
aesthetic integrity, the flimsy nature of
industrial whim, and a touching exchange
of staunch respect and abiding friendship
which has made their business endeavors
all the more rewarding.

As kicking as the multifaceted character
of NEXUS himself happens to be, the
rich tapestry of supporting characters
marks this chronicle as a wonderfully
precious, deeply involving, highly
ethical storyline. Male, Female, Alien:
All have a story.
Here, a political spy can become a dynamic
figure of courage and honesty, and a factory
manager stands revealed as a healing counselor.
A cynical refugee can become a caring political
leader, and an ambassador can stand revealed
as a fiendishly polarizing force.
In a tale where a killer has the heart of an
innocent and the soul of a poet, all things are
possible.

If you have been with NEXUS over the past
twenty-five years, consider this collection a
special monument to the resilience of great Art,
and the healthy interest of a sharp, searching
readership.
If you have never read NEXUS, and wonder what
all the shouting is about, I heartily encourage
you to acquire this collection, and enter the
start of a particularly special voyage.

You want Comix that give a damn, and have
something to say with thought and feeling?
Here you are.

Great literature doesn't get any better
than this.