[2] In 1981, Rude and writer Mike Baron created Nexus,[3] an independent science fiction comic book with a large supporting cast.

For the series, Rude designed numerous distinctive alien races, including the Thunes, the Amphibs, the Quattros, the Giz, the Demons, and others.

[5] DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz has noted that Rude's artwork "plays on Norman Rockwell's Americana, while his sleek sequential storytelling owes a debt to the work of Alex Toth.

[3] Rude's work for Marvel includes X-Men: Children of the Atom, Spider-Man: Lifeline,[7] Thor: Godstorm, and Captain America: What Price Glory.

Filmed over the course of three years, Rude spoke of his efforts to enter the fine art world and his struggles with bipolar disorder.