8. Kreed versus Judah

by Mike Baron and Steve Rude

Nexus #18, November 7,1985

Welcome fellow sentient's of Ylum to the winner takes all slugfest! We have Horatio Hellpop's guardian at the door Kreed, the 4 armed cyclopean Gucci trained Quatro assassin and protector/worshiper of all things Nexus who won't allow foe or friend near the Great Liberator. 2718 kills to his name Kreed was lost and lack a reason for living until he found redemption in serving Nexus who is now fully under the control of the alien MERK and killing whoever the MERK decrees. 

Nexus friends Dave and his son Judah "the Hammer" Maccabee hope to get Sundra (Nexus former love) in to help restore his sanity and break the MERKS control, but they must first get past Kreed. This treats us to a spectacular 5 page fight between Kreed and the Hammer. The 1st page has Judah admirably and logically attempting to bluff his way past Kreed with talk as he doesn't want to have to kill Kreed. Of course this all fails and Kreed gives Judah credit in the attempt. The 2nd page delivers the illogical physical hand to hand attack from Judah which also fails (whaddaya expect when you only gots 2 arms versus 4 arms?) to arise anything more than a warning from Kreed: leave and do not try again as he doesn't want to be remembered as the slayer of Judah Maccabee...


The next 4 pages deliver a fast and furious struggle with weapons as Judah goes back to the attack with Kreed rather readily diverting all of Judah's attempts until they go sword to sword. Kreed hurls his sword in a kill shot forcing Judah to call upon his fusion casting powers (granted to him by the disembodied telekinetic heads Judah has befriended and assists) where Judah sends Kreed's own sword hurtling back at him to sink in to Kreed's chest. Judah quickly takes advantage and disarms Kreed by literally cutting off one of his 4 arms and another of his remaining 3 hands before finally killing Kreed with a final sword thrust. 

There is no time to mourn the death of Kreed as Judah rips open the doors to Nexus home so that Sundra can rescue Horatio. This was a violent and quick struggle which shows the brutality of killing and that it should never be taken lightly and that fights in most cases will only end in blood and/or death. It was shocking as well for Kreed had developed into a well liked and interesting character and friend of the Great Nexus and Kreed's death will haunt Horatio and play a part in later chapters for Nexus ongoing battle with his conscious and mental health in being the servant of the MERK and deciphering from alien induced dreams those who are truly evil and deserving of death. Really heavy stuff for a "comic book" to delve into.

Haven't read that. Didn't McDonalds and Burger King launch legal action, preventing a reprint?