Review of Rude Dude (2014) by Daryl K — 13 Nov 2015

Steve Rude is one of the finest illustrators to have ever worked in comics, but this documentary shows the price for an obsessive, all-consuming focus on the aesthetics of his art. This, plus being bi-polar, has led to a reputation in his field for being "difficult", damaged long-term relationships, and left Rude less able to provide for himself and his family than his talent deserves.

As a career retrospective, 'Rude Dude' is successful, but showing the kind of angst and depression highly creative people sometimes have to struggle with is where it makes the most impact. In the end, though -- and it appears Rude himself believes this way -- the art is ultimately what lasts, and speaks for itself.