Happy Two-Year Anniversary to the Rippaverse! It’s incredible to think that the Rippaverse is only entering its second year as of July 11th. This groundbreaking company has already hit numerous milestones and brought a wave of excitement back to the comic book industry with one simple call to action – respect the fans and respect the lore. As such, we are claiming July 11th as Rippaverse Day!
Founder, owner, and writer Eric July saw a troubling trend in the comic industry where fans were being vilified, and heroes were becoming diluted with agendas and politics. Determined to be the change he wanted to see, Eric launched the Rippaverse. The first book, “Isom #1,” introduced Texas rancher Avery Silman, a man born with incredible abilities. The campaign for “Isom #1” brought in an astounding $3.7 million, forcing the company to rapidly expand to meet fan demand.
Following the success of “Isom #1,” the campaign for “Isom #2” also smashed the million-dollar mark, solidifying the Rippaverse’s place in the industry. Business ramped up as legendary writers like Chuck Dixon and Mike Baron joined the team alongside horror icons the Soska Sisters. Dixon’s “Alphacore,” paired with the incredible art of Joe Bennett, and the Soska Sisters’ “Yaira,” illustrated by Debora Carita, both had million-dollar campaigns. The momentum continues with Mike Baron’s “Goodyng,” featuring art by Will Conrad, released right after “Yaira #1” fulfillment.
The Rippaverse is not just about comics; it’s a full-fledged universe. The company has released an outstanding line of merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, posters, trading cards, and even the new RippaZine. This magazine features exclusive interviews, articles, and previews and introduces a new character, The Salvage, in his first appearance.
Fans are also treated to three animated shorts and a live-action trailer, keeping the excitement alive. The launch of RippaSend, the fulfillment arm of the Rippaverse, helps independent artists reach their full potential by providing infrastructure support from advising and development to storefront needs and shipping.
In the final hours of the epic YAIRA campaign, Eric July announced a massive surprise – an ongoing collaboration with comic industry titan Todd McFarlane and the release of the first Rippaverse statue made by McFarlane Toys. This marks the beginning of releasing top-of-the-line statues, with many more projects in development.
The future of the Rippaverse looks incredibly bright with more books from industry titans like Mike Baron and Chuck Dixon, the exciting conclusion to Isom’s first three-part saga, and the Rippaverse’s first horror book, “Bloodruth,” from the acclaimed horror twins Jen and Sylvia Soska. The Rippaverse is committed to keeping fans appreciated, heard, and enthusiastic for what’s to come.
“I would’ve never guessed that we’d be this successful,” exclaims Eric July. “Even more so, I never anticipated we’d gain this much ground in just two years. To believe that we’re just getting started!”
As we celebrate Rippaverse Day, it’s clear that the Rippaverse is not just a comic book company but a movement that respects its fans and stays true to its lore. With ongoing projects, exciting collaborations, and a commitment to quality, the Rippaverse is poised to revolutionize the comic book industry for years to come.