Eric July aka YoungRippa59 has launched what he’s calling the Rippaverse. July has been touting this independent publishing project for quite some time and, after investing $200,000 of his own money and, having now raised well over 2.25 million dollars more, went live with his website on July 12th. UPDATE: He is now over 3.7 million dollars. People know a good thing when they see it.
Unlike similar independent comic book projects that usually involve a long wait after an order is placed, Eric July has promised that buyers will begin receiving their books IN AUGUST! July is one of the courageous visionaries like Ethan Van Sciver and Jon Malin who operate outside the stifling corporate environment of the Big Two comic book publishers.
Rippa’s first superhero is called Isom and his 96-page debut book is lengthy enough to deserve the term Graphic Novel. And this is just the start of a brand-new superhero universe that Eric vows will compete with Marvel and DC eventually.
Get in on the ground floor by placing your orders today for Isom #1 plus any extra merchandise that strikes your eye. And best of all – the Rippaverse is HIRING!
Check it all out HERE. And for Eric July’s trailer for Isom and the Rippaverse see below.
As promised, Balladeer’s Blog returns to some brief looks at assorted Pony Express Riders as seasonal posts now that the Frontierado Holiday is fast approaching. (It falls on August 5th this year.) Frontierado is about the myth of the old west, not the grinding reality.
IRISH TOMMY – Thomas J. Ranahan was better known as Irish Tommy during his days as an Expressman (the official title of Pony Express riders). Ranahan was born in Ireland on August 28th, 1839 and his family moved to America in 1841, settling in Vermont. 
A. Ngai, the creator god, divider of the universe, divider of the land from the sea and owner of the dazzling light, descended to the Earth shortly after making it. Mists covered the entire world because of how freshly made it was. 
Here at Balladeer’s Blog I’ve written plenty over the years about how the increasing derangement, intolerance and fascism of the Democrats drove me to leave that political party and become an Independent Voter. Periodically I shine light on other people who have come to feel the same way. Here are several: 
“The video centered around how Petrov had considered herself a Democrat like most people her age. She was neck-deep in leftism, especially in her university … She couldn’t get through a math class without it being woke. Soon, Petrov found herself unable to continue identifying with the left and as her video states, she left it. This includes her university which had sunk so far into wokeness that it stopped being a place of learning.” (NOTE FROM BALLADEER: Which is why I often refer to how Democrats have
A MAN CALLED SLEDGE (1970) – Garner’s lone Spaghetti Western was a fascinating departure from his usual depictions of a roguish but not ruthless rascal. This time around he plays Luther Sledge, a grim, pitiless bandit leader who becomes obsessed with robbing a fortune in gold from its temporary storage place in a combination fortress and prison for hardened criminals.
Marvel has let it be known that they will be doing a Thor vs Hercules clash for the next Thor movie as they at last move the Marvel Comics version of Hercules into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY ANNUAL Vol 1 #1 (October 1965) 
The story opens up like a few other old Norse myths, with Thor and Loki on fairly friendly terms and traveling together in search of adventure. While trying to make their very first visit to the realm of the Greco-Roman gods on Mount Olympus they encounter a few Frost Giants and easily defeat them. 
THE APACHE KID – This Native American gunslinger’s life on both sides of the law intrigued a lot of people. Some saw his saga as a western Robin Hood tale when he was funneling supplies to his put-upon people on reservations. The tantalizing mysteries regarding his ultimate fate cement his immortality in the public’s imagination. Click 
Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some of the latest news. 
THE MONTANA KID – Dan Egan, before his Yukon fame, was a boxer during the dangerous years when the sport was illegal in many areas and boxing matches were subject to being raided by the police. He had only limited success and his career as a pugilist is distinguished mostly by his losses to THE Billy Hennesy. 
