Horatio Hellop is back! The Eisner Award-winning science fiction vigilante, also known as Nexus, has returned in a two-issue series from Alien Books.
Originally created by Mike Baron and Steve Rude in 1981, Nexus enters a new era of adventure with the return of fan-favourite characters and all-new villains in a universe-destroying epic. Co-creator Mike Baron (with artist Kelsey Shannon) writes this new series, promising “planet-destroying action and a wry wit that’s perfect for fans of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and classic Doctor Who.”
In January 1981, Nexus debuted in a three-issue series from Captial Comics, the publishing arm of Capital City Distribution. This was back when we had more than one distributor of comic books to local comic shops. This situation has returned as Diamond Distribution has lost its distribution monopoly over the past five years. Those first issues were in black and white and introduced a cosmic superhero heavily influenced by Space Ghost and many other classic characters. It was common for folks like Jonny Quest, Magnus the Robot Fighter and the Herculoids to appear as uncredited background cameos. Even Star Trek’s Captain Kirk and Spook would be seen in the background. There are over 100 issues spread across the various Nexus series.
So, who is Nexus?
“Horatio Hellop, an enigmatic man plagued by nightmares and known as Nexus, dreams of real-life butchers and tyrants…and what they have done. And then he finds them, and he kills them.”
“Known throughout the universe, Nexus is a godlike figure who acts as judge, jury, and executioner for the vile criminals who appear in his visions. Possessing limitless power as long as he’s exposed to the correct sun, Nexus is the greatest avenger in history. Charged and empowered to slaughter the galaxy’s mass murderers—and with all of space as his jurisdiction—Horatio Hellop battles tyranny across the galaxy as interstellar champion and executioner Nexus!”
[Spoiler’s Ahead] Issue #1 of Nexus Scourge opens on a lovely day on a typical golf course. Horatio and friends are playing a few rounds when a messanger asks Horatio to call Headworld. I’ll be super honest, it has been DECADES since I’ve read Nexus and it’s going to take me awhile to remeber all the characters and places in the Nexus universe. I lasted exactly one page into Nexus Scourge #1 before I hit eBay looking for a Nexus Archive or Omnibus to delve back into the lore.
But I digress …
On the horn with Raul at Headworld, Nexus is informed that communications with the Jade Sector of space has been lost, No one knows why or how. But this doesn’t seem to phase Nexus as he makes plans to go hunting with an Ambazador from the planet Felzengrad before attending a functiion in the Ambazador’s honour. During which, Nexus is interupted and he heads out to talk with Raul again as yet another system has gone dark. This time Nexus decieds to go check it out. [Spoiler’s Ended]
Mike Baron is right back into the flow, having not written Nexus in several years. The story has a typical ‘planet devouring” plot-trope but the dialog is crisp, and the situations bring a chuckle. While it’s a first issue and the action is light, Nexus was known for a good balance of fun and excitment. I see no reason for Baron to change that with this relaunch.
Steve Rude’s classic artistic interpretation of Nexus is missing, of course, with Rude and Baron spliting ways a few years ago and each launching seperate Nexus projects. But new artist Kelsey Shannon does a great job drawing Nexus. The backgrounds and planet vistas have that delightful 1950’s modern retro space style. Colours are complimentary to the overall essence of the comic and Warren Montgomery’s letters are sharp and crisp.
As I’ve said, it’s been awhile since I dove back into Nexus and this issue fits into my nostalgic memories of a fun comic series extremely well. Not only am I goign to gran the next issue, I’m onboard for whatever future series Baron has planned.
Issue: Nexus Scourge #1 | Publisher: Alien Books
Writer: Mike Baron | Artist: Kelsey Shannon
Lettering: Warren Montgomery | Editor: Clara Bartolozzi
Price: $4.99 – 36 pages
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