Nexus #11

Nexus #11 was published in 1985 as part of the original Capital Comics run of the science fiction series created by writer Mike Baron and artist Steve Rude. The series emerged during an era of experimentation in independent comics, blending gritty social commentary with grand-scale space opera. Nexus follows Horatio Hellhound, a reluctant executioner tasked with eliminating mass murderers who appear to him in prophetic dreams, a premise that allowed the creators to explore complex moral themes and deep character studies.

The aesthetic of Nexus is widely celebrated for Steve Rude’s dynamic, Kirby-esque layouts and polished draftsmanship, which provided a sophisticated visual language to Baron’s dense, philosophical scripts. Issue #11 continues the series' signature mix of humor, existential tension, and intricate world-building. Upon its release, the title earned significant critical acclaim, helping to establish both Baron and Rude as influential figures in the 1980s independent comics movement and earning multiple industry awards for the creative team.