Nexus Character Summaries
Every once in a while a creation appears that both reinvents and epitomizes its genre.
1981 marked the beginning of such an event with the first issue of Nexus, a playful adventure series that paid homage to the best of classic science fiction while introducing an unforgettable antihero.
Countless readers around the world followed his action-packed exploits over the next two decades, visiting alien realms and fascinating creatures through the wit and verve of his youthful creators.
A multiple Eisner Award-winning series that defined the careers of acclaimed creators Steve Rude and Mike Baron, Nexus is a modern classic not to be missed.
Horatio Hellpop (AKA Nexus)
The year is 2841. On the distant moon of Ylum, an enigmatic man is plagued by nightmares. He is forced to dream of the past. He dreams of real-life butchers and tyrants, and what they have done.
And then he finds them, and kills them.
Philosopher, with the soul of a poet, he’d prefer the quiet life were it not for the mantle of Nexus.
Sundra Peale
She came as a military spy from Earth and stayed as Nexus’ companion and lover. She is a highly intelligent and resourceful young lady. Nicknamed “Sunny” for her cheerful disposition. She discovered the Merk and the origin of Nexus’ powers. She also discovered the existence of Farouk, a demon living beneath Ylum. Sundra now retains a cabinet post on Ylum and is co-owner of J&S Sailboats.
Dave
Wise, old sage from the planet Thune, Dave is Nexus’ longest and most trusted companion. The two met when Nexus arrived on Thune to execute the warden in charge of the jail where Dave was a prisoner. Dave acts as advisor to the President of Ylum and teaches history at the University of Ylum. Father of Judah, Dave’s compassionate nature makes him an esteemed friend to all.
Judah Maccabee (AKA The Hammer)
“Independent Adjudicator”. Former pro wrestler, and part time chef. Judah has patterned his system of justice after “Great” Nexus.
Jilquoix DeSmoot
Sleek, sexy & feline. This babe defines the word “sex-kitten”.
Kreed
Kreed is a Quatro and a gucci-trained assassin designed to be the ultimate fighting machine. He is 7½ feet tall and serves as personal bodyguard to Nexus.
The Merk
The Merk has great telepathic ability which allows him to choose humanity’s murderers while he sleeps. Once he does, he sends this information to Nexus in dreams to carry out his mission and assassinate once awake. The Merk’s lifeblood is the source of Nexus’ fusion power which he must bathe in when his power depletes. Though slightly comical in appearance, the Merk’s got a hair-trigger temper on top of his frightening size.
Ursula Imada
Recognizing Horatio for an extraordinary human being with possible genetic gifts, she seduced him and subsequently gave birth to twin daughters, Scarlett and Sheena. She now acts as a “prophet” for the Elvonic religion, which allows her control of millions of fanatics.
Sheena and Scarlet
Twin daughters of Nexus and Ursula who live with their mother on the planet Procyon.
When they were infants, Ursula immersed the girls in a tank similar to the one in which Nexus “dreams” and now show signs of their own power (Scarlett, fusionkasting; Sheena, telepathy).
“Nexus is a Russian fatalist who believes in God. These two strains have always fought for the Russian soul–belief in the Almighty, and the futility of any human endeavor. What do you do if you believe in God but you also believe all human endeavor is doomed to end in defeat? Live as good a life as possible and hope for a better afterlife? Horatio is conflicted.
On the other hand, an overwhelming force compels him to execute people. On the other, he wants to create. The sacred and the profane. The yin and the yang. Did he come to save the West— or destroy? ” - Mike Baron
March 11th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Kreed is dead, right, RIGHT?
March 11th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Yes, Kreed is dead. He’s posted here mostly as an example of a quatro.
April 4th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I am very much looking forward to seeing Nexus once again. I fondly remember the series from way back in the 80’s. Kinda pegs me as an older fan. I’m looking at the above drawings and remembering… I had forgot about Ursula. Good luck guys.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
What, no Clonezone? Maybe that’s for the best. But seriously, folks, will the Badger make a cameo? Ham?
April 11th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Nexus has been an inpriration to the way I create and teach art - I look forward to seeing it!
April 12th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I’d rather wait years for Nexus by both Baron & Rude than regular issues by anybody else. I also love the Moth. I’m looking forward to the free update.
April 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Clonezone is set to take over the series after the initial run.
May 1st, 2007 at 7:24 pm
WooHoo ran to the comic book store this week after reading the preorder release.. Cant wait for Nexus to return!
Vootie!
May 9th, 2007 at 11:58 am
What it is! I cannot wait for Space Opera. I preordered last week and I’m counting down the days. Archive 5 is in the mail(love those hardcovers, tell DH to keep them coming!) and to kill time I just finished re-reading all of the mini series from DH in the 90’s. Everytime I think I’m out of comics for good, something drags me back in! ^_^ Viva la Nexus!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
A friend of mine turned me on to Nexus about 5 years ago. I have to say it is one of the most creative and well written comics I have ever read. Of course the art is in a league of its own. The issues are near impossible to find, and the HC’s are so expensive…hopefully we will someday soon see soft covers. I can’t wait for #99 even though I never read the Dark Horse issues, or the last ten of the original series.
July 1st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
[…] More on the characters with some lovely art can be found here: Nexus Character Summeries […]
July 14th, 2007 at 7:40 am
[…] For some background, this title started in the 80s. You can read the character summaries to get an idea. The main characater Horatio Hellpop was compelled to execute criminals of great crimes across the galaxy, and he had no choice in the matter. For me, the series did not hit its stride of greatness until issue 12-14: rude’s art improved dramatically and became more consistent,and Baron’s mix of seriousness and silliness began to feel natural. For the next 20-25 issues, the series was probably at its best, in part because, when the guest artists come along, it was obvious that Baron and Rude were a team, and the story wasn’t the same without the two of them. […]
September 11th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
This makes me so happy. A whole new generation to discover Nexus. This was THE book for me in my youth. The most consistently good book ever IMHO. Baron’s narrative flow is beyond compare and I watched as Steve Rude went from really really good to AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing from the 80’s that was fresh and good and it still is after all these years.
Vootie!
P.S. I cannot believe I can pick up back issues for cover price.