Eric July Breaks The Bank With The Launch Of Isom, His First Rippaverse Comics Book
Jon Del Arroz
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The crowdfunding world was upended today as Eric July launched his first book in his Rippaverse series, Isom #1, on his own website. The crowdfund site is complete with different packages and features similar to a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign, but all through July’s own infrastructure.
July bucked trends from most comic crowdfunders by creating a platform where he could not get banned, evading problems other conservative content creators have had on crowdfunding sites.
Source: Eric D. July YouTube
July has been promising his Rippaverse comics to be coming for months, talking about his project on various live streams in promotion of the launch.
Over that period, he reportedly collected more than 20,000 e-mail signups for notification on the project, fans showing incredible amounts of interest in his work.
Source: Rippaverse.com Isom #1
RELATED: Eric July: “Marvel, DC Are In Bed With The Authoritarian Left”
Getting his start as a rapper, July moved into cultural commentary in 2015, making videos about the economy, racism, police brutality, and more, from a libertarian perspective. His opinions soon drew the eye of Glenn Beck’s The Blaze, where July became a contributor.
“I’m trying to get people thinking more critically about things, get your mind going, and be able to see right through all of it,” July stated according to the Dallas Observer.
Source: Rippaverse.com Isom #1
He’s also grown a YouTube channel to nearly 500,000 subscribers, putting him in the top tier of YouTube commentators on culture. He has kept his focus on comic books and comic book movies and is an enthusiast in geek culture, one of many who is upset with the way Disney and Warner Brothers have turned beloved properties into identity politics rants.
Faced with companies that won’t listen to the fans or critics, Eric July set out to create his own superhero universe as a counterpunch to liberal corporate entertainment.
Source: Rippaverse.com Isom #1
The Rippaverse website was unveiled a full day before the pre-orders for Isom went live, with videos of July’s mission statement for the book as well as a “Welcome to the Rippaverse” video explaining the bigger picture of where Isom #1 will fit into his overall vision.
The line art is done by DC veteran, Cliff Richards, and Gabe Eltaeb, beloved for criticizing DC Comics over their removal of the slogan “Truth, Justice and the American Way” from Superman, does the coloring work.
Source: Rippaverse.com Isom #1
Fans reacted with an outpouring of support for the Rippaverse project with more than 8,000 backers and $800,000 raised on the first day of the campaign.
July has been live streaming all day for the event, holding over three thousand viewers while talking about the book and the future of the Rippaverse.
Independent creators in the industry and fans voiced their praise for July’s efforts, making Isom one of the most lauded independent comic launches in history.
Legendary Green Lantern artist, Ethan Van Sciver, tweeted about the project: “Whoa!! Just woke up, so I missed the initial launch. With 20% of his pre-signed up backers in. We’re looking at nearly half a million in pre-sales. @EricDJuly is easily taking that $3M now and the sky’s the limit from there. Sincere congrats, Rippa. You will be #1 in hours.”
Source: Screenshot, Twitter
Popular YouTuber, YellowFlash, echoed Van Sciver’s sentiments, saying, “Congrats to @EricDJuly and his Rippaverse! This is amazing!”
Source: Screenshot, Twitter
Impossible Stars artist, Renzo Rodriguez, also voiced his support by tweeting, “Comics made by people who REALLY LOVE and UNDERSTAND comics… BEST deal Ever! Congrats to Eric July and all the team, this looks AMAZING!!”
Source: Screenshot, Twitter
With such an outpouring of support, Isom #1 is fast on its way to becoming the most successful crowdfunded comic of all time, an incredible feat for someone not using Kickstarter or IndieGoGo as a platform, but directing viewers to his own website. As of publishing, Isom #1 has earned $952,201.37 from 9,688 backers.
July’s work is shaking up the comic book industry in a way readers haven’t seen since the inception of #ComicsGate, and his work is an inspiration to liberty-minded comic creators everywhere.
What do you think of the Rippaverse launch? Leave a comment down below and let us know!
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