Happy Sunday everyone. The test surveys for 5% of each pledge level has been sent out. We do this to ensure there are no bugs before we go live for everyone!
EARLYBIRD REWARD
We always give you guys a little something extra for completing your survey early. This time it's a FREE MONTH of the $25 Patreon! Come see what we've been up to and join in the fun.
If you already subscribe to a creator and receive a gift membership to the same creator, your current paid billing cycle is automatically paused and the gift period begins immediately. Once the gifted time expires, your previous paid membership resumes exactly where you left off.
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS
We have several exclusive discounts waiting for you when you complete your survey, including our new Return to Earth Studio Preview Edition Book 1 which released last year in time for Christmas (and included candy canes!).
Here's a preview if you missed it. If you like behind the scenes you'll love this!
First look: available remarques (Dave just joined the lineup)
Hey there,
Quick update for our BackerKit crew. Steve's been working away on the remarques, and we wanted you to see what's available before we share these anywhere else. You're getting first look.
Big news: Dave's now in the lineup as a remarque. He just got added.
IF YOU BACKED A REMARQUE PLEDGE
If you want to claim one of these please email us at [email protected] as I don't always get alerts on comments right away.
IF YOU DID NOT BACK A REMARQUE BUT WOULD LIKE TO UPGRADE
If you want to upgrade your pledge to snag one of these we have a few in reserve and can assist with that whil supplies last. You can pay the difference when you do your exit survey. (Note if you're doing a pay over time your exit survey will come in late July or when your final payment is made)
STUDIO REMARQUE PLEDGES ($749)
STUDIO DELUXE REMARQUE EDITION ($1199)
Every remarque is a one-of-a-kind original drawing by Steve, signed and mounted on its own Thuneworld page. Once one's claimed, that's it. There's only one of each, ever.
Want to watch Steve actually draw these things? He's live this Saturday at 1:30 PM Arizona time on YouTube. Come hang out, watch the process, ask questions. It's the best seat in the house.
Last Call: Earlybird and Free Gift Set Ending Tonight
Hey Backers,
You're already in. Thank you. Seriously.
Now here's where you come in for round two.
Tonight at midnight, two things change:
The Earlybird Gift Set goes away. After midnight, the free gift set (bookmark, the 4-inch Nexus die-cut sticker, the nine-card trading card set, and the 11x14 Nexus Family Print) are no longer bundled in free with qualifying pledges. They'll still be available as individual add-ons, but you'll pay for each piece. Tonight is the last shot at getting all four as a free gift set.
The Free Comic Book Day specials end completely. We rarely offer the books individually, and never with a free complete digital download set!
SNEAK PEEK AT ONE OF THE BOOKS - THESE ARE ALL FULL 36-52 PAGE BOOKS! Scroll down for flip through videos of these books.
NEXT ACHIEVEMENT
We're sitting just over $9K with 11 days to go. Next Achievement unlocks at $15K, which gives every backer (yes, you) a month of Merk Patreon plus a Nexus 45th Anniversary die-cut sticker FREE for mailed orders.
HERE'S THE ASK
If you know one person who would love this book, today is the day to tell them. Forward this update. Text them the link. Share it on your socials. Tag a friend who collects Steve's work or who's been a Nexus fan since the 80s.
Every backer who comes in before midnight gets the full Earlybird Gift Set free. That's a real reason to send the link tonight, not tomorrow.
Hey, Steve Rude is doing an oversized 12x17 art book of his Nexus story. The Earlybird Gift Set ends tonight at midnight, free bookmark, sticker, trading cards, and 11x14 print for every backer. Thought you'd want to know. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steverude/thuneworldae
You're the reason this works. You always have been.
No Stream Today +Secret Codes + WE DID IT! Books to Troops Unlocked 🎉
Hey friends,
First, the important stuff: there's no livestream today. Steve is dealing with some health stuff this week and needs to rest up. He'll be back at the drawing table next Saturday, May 9 at 1:30 PM Arizona time on YouTube (youtube.com/steverudethedude). Thanks for understanding. This community means the world to him and he hates missing a Saturday with all of you.
Now, the celebration.
🎉 WE DID IT! Achievement #1 UNLOCKED 🎉
Books for the Troops is happening because of YOU.
Our Kickstarter is sitting at $8,822 and climbing, and Achievement #1 is officially in the bag. That means copies of Battle for Thuneworld are going to deployed service members through Comicbooks for Kids. Every single one of you who backed on BackerKit got us here. Thank you.
Next Up: $15K for the 45th Anniversary Sticker 🎯
We're $6,178 away from Achievement #2. When we hit $15K, every backer (BackerKit AND Kickstarter) gets:
One month free Merk Patreon membership (patreon.com/steverude)
Nexus 45th Anniversary die-cut sticker added to your mailed order
The sticker celebrates 45 years of Nexus. It's not going to be sold separately. The only way to get it is to be backed when we cross $15K.
🎁 Your Secret BackerKit Codes
If you backed us on BackerKit, you've got hidden codes below.
To get both the Bonus Gift Set AND the FCBD Deal you can use any of the below SECRET codes (those give you free shipping on your entire Kickstarter pledge), then add everything else as Add-Ons (free shipping!)
Today is FCBD. If you're hitting up your local shop, take a pic and tag us. We love seeing where everyone goes.
And the FCBD Special ends TOMORROW (Sunday, May 3 at midnight). $25 gets you one random preview book plus the complete digital set of all 5. That's a $99 value. The preview books include the full script, which is NOT in the Gallery or Studio Edition Hardcovers. Deepest dive into how Steve built this story from the page up.
Live Draw on Pencil to Pencil 5pm Pacific + Hidden Codes!
LIVE DRAW ON PENCIL TO PENCIL
The Dude is joining Mike Manley, Jamar Nicholas, and Steve Conley for a live Draw & Jaw session—each of them taking on their own version of a Jack Kirby character.
Drawing in real time, talking process, and answering your questions as they go.
Tonight — 5PM Pacific / 8PM Eastern
Jump in live, draw along with them, and be part of the conversation while it’s happening.
The Kickstarter goes live at 10 am Pacific / 1pm Eastern tomorrow! As a thank you for backing us on Backerkit we are giving you hidden links to get the earlybird or FCBD weekend rewards with no extra shipping added.
See the section below for the Backer only content for your exclusive links.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BACKED NEXUS YET
The opening 60 minutes only, the Gallery Edition drops by $50. That puts it at the same price as it was on Backerkit before the pricing goes up!
The first weekend, all pledge levels include this earlybird gift pack for free:
FIRST WEEKEND: FREE EARLYBIRD GIFT PACK
Back during opening weekend with any Gallery Unsigned, Gallery Signed, or Studio Edition book and the Earlybird Gift Pack is on us. Free with the book.
What's inside:
11x14 Nexus Family Print, unsigned (upgrade to signed for $10 after the campaign)
Nexus logo sticker
Trading card set of 9 cards
Double-sided bookmark
FCBD SPECIAL: AVAILABLE APRIL 30 TO MAY 3
This one's a separate add-on, but it's a beauty. For $25, you get one random preview book plus the complete digital set of all 5 preview books. That's a $99 value.
The preview books are something special. They show pencils, inks, and the full script. The full script is NOT included in the Gallery or Studio Edition Hardcovers. If you want to see how Steve built Battle for Thuneworld from the page up, this is the deepest dive you'll get.
Each preview book is
36 to 52 pages
8.5" x 11"
Saddle stitched
Professionally printed on high-quality stock
Random book ships unsigned (upgrade to signed for $10 after the campaign)
Thuneworld closed at $72,304. Our biggest crowdfunder ever.
That number is yours. Every pledge, every share, every Saturday morning hangout, every “you’ve got to see this” text to a friend. You built this.
Steve, Jaynelle, Jessica, A’ja, Tristan, Lynn, and the volunteer crew are sitting here this morning a little stunned and a lot grateful.
Thank you. Truly.
NOW, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY...
We came up about $2,700 short of unlocking Books to the Troops, our goal to send books to service members overseas through Comic Books for Troops. We could see it from where we were standing.
But that goal is not going anywhere. It becomes the very first stretch goal on Kickstarter, unlocking at $2,500 raised.
KICKSTARTER LAUNCHES THURSDAY, APRIL 30
10 AM PACIFIC / 1 PM EASTERN
That is where we cross the finish line on Books to the Troops, celebrate free comic book day and earlybird weekend, and then we keep building from there.
A THANK YOU for BackerKit backers
Because you backed Thuneworld on BackerKit, you’ll have access to a hidden $1 Kickstarter tier.
That tier gives you access to the Kickstarter launch weekend earlybird specials and Free Comic Book Day offers.
It’s our way of making sure the earliest Thuneworld backers can still be part of the Kickstarter launch weekend fun.
The private access link will land in a future update before launch. Watch for it.
Important shipping note: please use the same email address on Kickstarter that you used on BackerKit. As long as the emails match between Kickstarter and BackerKit, we’ll combine shipping between campaigns after Kickstarter wraps.
THIS SATURDAY LIVESTREAM IS GOING TO BE WILD
Free Comic Book Day. First weekend of Kickstarter. Steve drawing live at 1:30 PM Arizona time, working remarques on stream as always.
If you can be there, be there: youtube.com/steverudethedude
ONE FAVOR BEFORE THURSDAY
Kickstarter pulls a different crowd than BackerKit. A lot of folks who would love this book still have no idea it exists.
If you’ve got one share in you, Thursday is the day. A text to a comic friend, a repost, a forward of this email, anything.
Word of mouth from this crew is worth more than anything we can buy.
Big update on how remarques will work for the Battle for Thuneworld Gallery and Studio Edition.
We originally explored doing custom sketches drawn directly into the books. After working through the production timeline, that was not going to be possible. The books need to be at the printer before we could collect requests, and we were not willing to delay the project to make it happen.
So here is the new plan, and honestly, we think it is going to be more fun.
Steve will draw remarque sketches live during the Saturday livestream.
Each sketch is numbered on screen as it is finished, like R1, R2, R3. Steve may take character suggestions from the chat, but he will draw what inspires him.
How to claim a sketch
THESE ARE THE FIRST 2 UP FOR GRABS - CLAIM THEM NOW!
1. Claim it in the YouTube, Facebook, or Backerkit chat When you see one you want, type MINE R1 or whatever number matches the sketch. First person to claim it gets it.
2. We confirm it live Once we confirm your claim in the chat, email [email protected] so we can verify your account and send next-step instructions.
3. Be on a Remarque tier If you are already backed at a Remarque tier ($749 Remarque or $1,199 Deluxe Remarque), you are set. If you are not on the right tier yet, you will have 24 hours to upgrade or the sketch goes back into the pool.
Good to know
One sketch per person. If you see one on a future stream that you like better, you can swap. Your previous sketch goes back into the pool for someone else to claim.
Every remarque sketch is sent to the printer and hand-stitched directly into your book. These are never sold loose or as separate pieces. They become part of the book.
Steve will draw at least one remarque per stream and may also have some completed ahead of time.
Remarque tier backers will be the first group to ship once books are in house, right behind retailers.
When we hit $75,000, we’ll send a full studio care package of books to Comic Books for Troops, helping put comics and art books into the hands of service members around the world. From Steve's studio to wherever it finds them.
Happy Sunday everyone. The test surveys for 5% of each pledge level has been sent out. We do this to ensure there are no bugs before we go live for everyone!
EARLYBIRD REWARD
We always give you guys a little something extra for completing your survey early. This time it's a FREE MONTH of the $25 Patreon! Come see what we've been up to and join in the fun.
If you already subscribe to a creator and receive a gift membership to the same creator, your current paid billing cycle is automatically paused and the gift period begins immediately. Once the gifted time expires, your previous paid membership resumes exactly where you left off.
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS
We have several exclusive discounts waiting for you when you complete your survey, including our new Return to Earth Studio Preview Edition Book 1 which released last year in time for Christmas (and included candy canes!).
Here's a preview if you missed it. If you like behind the scenes you'll love this!
Quick update for our BackerKit crew. Steve's been working away on the remarques, and we wanted you to see what's available before we share these anywhere else. You're getting first look.
Big news: Dave's now in the lineup as a remarque. He just got added.
IF YOU BACKED A REMARQUE PLEDGE
If you want to claim one of these please email us at [email protected] as I don't always get alerts on comments right away.
IF YOU DID NOT BACK A REMARQUE BUT WOULD LIKE TO UPGRADE
If you want to upgrade your pledge to snag one of these we have a few in reserve and can assist with that whil supplies last. You can pay the difference when you do your exit survey. (Note if you're doing a pay over time your exit survey will come in late July or when your final payment is made)
STUDIO REMARQUE PLEDGES ($749)
STUDIO DELUXE REMARQUE EDITION ($1199)
Every remarque is a one-of-a-kind original drawing by Steve, signed and mounted on its own Thuneworld page. Once one's claimed, that's it. There's only one of each, ever.
Want to watch Steve actually draw these things? He's live this Saturday at 1:30 PM Arizona time on YouTube. Come hang out, watch the process, ask questions. It's the best seat in the house.
First, the important stuff: there's no livestream today. Steve is dealing with some health stuff this week and needs to rest up. He'll be back at the drawing table next Saturday, May 9 at 1:30 PM Arizona time on YouTube (youtube.com/steverudethedude). Thanks for understanding. This community means the world to him and he hates missing a Saturday with all of you.
Now, the celebration.
🎉 WE DID IT! Achievement #1 UNLOCKED 🎉
Books for the Troops is happening because of YOU.
Our Kickstarter is sitting at $8,822 and climbing, and Achievement #1 is officially in the bag. That means copies of Battle for Thuneworld are going to deployed service members through Comicbooks for Kids. Every single one of you who backed on BackerKit got us here. Thank you.
Next Up: $15K for the 45th Anniversary Sticker 🎯
We're $6,178 away from Achievement #2. When we hit $15K, every backer (BackerKit AND Kickstarter) gets:
One month free Merk Patreon membership (patreon.com/steverude)
Nexus 45th Anniversary die-cut sticker added to your mailed order
The sticker celebrates 45 years of Nexus. It's not going to be sold separately. The only way to get it is to be backed when we cross $15K.
🎁 Your Secret BackerKit Codes
If you backed us on BackerKit, you've got hidden codes below.
To get both the Bonus Gift Set AND the FCBD Deal you can use any of the below SECRET codes (those give you free shipping on your entire Kickstarter pledge), then add everything else as Add-Ons (free shipping!)
Today is FCBD. If you're hitting up your local shop, take a pic and tag us. We love seeing where everyone goes.
And the FCBD Special ends TOMORROW (Sunday, May 3 at midnight). $25 gets you one random preview book plus the complete digital set of all 5. That's a $99 value. The preview books include the full script, which is NOT in the Gallery or Studio Edition Hardcovers. Deepest dive into how Steve built this story from the page up.
