Writer Mike Baron and artist Steve Rude’s Nexus debuted in 1981 from Capital Comics as a black and white magazine. After three issues, the series switched to a standard color comic book format a ran for more than 100 issues from Capital, First Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and Rude’s own Rude Dude Productions. During its heyday, it won six Eisner Awards and tons of critical acclaim.

Over its publishing history, Nexus spawned a number of spinoffs and crossed over with Baron’s Badger, Magnus Robot Fighter, Madman, and an array of properties also published at the time by First Comics.

With a new collection pending from Dark Horse, both Baron and Rude are also working on separate Nexus projects. This includes a new novel that Baron has just launched on Kickstarter. Happily for Nexus fans, the project soared past the 50% funded level in just first few hours of the 30-day campaign.

Scoop talked with Baron about the Nexus novel.

Scoop: After well over a hundred issues, as well as ancillary spinoffs, one-shots, and crossovers in comic book form, what made you want to turn Nexus into a novel?
Mike Baron [MB]: I don’t choose my stories, my stories choose me. Dude and I discussed this premise for years. Nexus V. Galactus. However, the version Dude wrote, which will appear next year, did not reflect my scripts. I wanted to do Nexus in-depth, to bring his world alive using only words, like the science fiction writers I admire, such as Phillip Jose Farmer and Kevin J. Anderson. There’s so much more you can do in a novel. It’s not a short book. As always, my goal is to grab the reader by the throat.

Scoop: For fans of the comic, what will be different and what will be similar to what we’ve experienced before?
MB: This was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on all the ancillary characters, from Sundra to Vooper. Readers will be shocked at revelations regarding Nexus’ and Sundra’s son Harry. This is a crime novel as well as science fiction. Loyal readers know Nexus’ job is to execute mass murderers. The book explores what it means to be a human, and how can humans communicate with an alien race. Is mathematics a universal language, or is it unique to us? What about music? How is it possible to traverse black holes? The book lays it out. There is also a great deal of humor. especially in misunderstandings regarding two alien races trying to talk to one another.

Scoop: Since it first appeared, Nexus has had a big science fiction component. What was it like capturing that in prose as opposed to writing it in script form for Steve Rude or one of your other collaborators to illustrate?
MB: From 1981 until 2000, the Dude scrupulously followed my scripts. When he decided to publish Nexus himself, he rewrote the scripts to suit his version of the character, and it strayed from my original intent. This is no contention. We remain fast friends, and I sanction the issues he has written, which will appear next year. At the same time, he sanctions the three issue Nexus series I am going to publish through Splatto next year. Kelsey Shannon is the artist. That story may also end up as a novel. I love comics. But sometimes, a comic is to a novel what a stroll around the block is to summiting Mount Everest. Sometimes you have to go all the way. The Nexus novel will blow your mind.

Scoop: In the comics, you’ve frequently explored the moral questions surrounding what Nexus does, as well as the humanity of the character. Will those elements be components of this book? Does prose give you more leeway to delve into things like that?
MB: Yes. There are things you can do in a novel that you can’t in a comic book. Explore personalities. Nexus. Sundra. Harry. Kreed Junior. Dave. The aliens. This is always a challenge because how do you describe an alien? We’re human, trapped in these bags of flesh and bone. What would it be like to experience life in an entirely different form? Do the things we like translate? Art? Music? Love? Hate? What is it that all living things have in common? What is it that separates them? What does it mean to be human?

Scoop: If this effort garners sufficient attention, will you do another Nexus novel or is this a one-off project?
MB: I am already planning the next Nexus novel. I have a detailed outline.

Editor’s note: In addition to creating Nexus and Badger, Baron has written Punisher, Flash, and Star Wars in comic books, as well as novels including Whack Job, Helmet Head, Banshees, and Skorpio. The Kickstarter project went online on Monday, May 11, 2020.