Fans of the Rippaverse should not expect to discuss its comics freely in Reddit’s largest comic book community anytime soon.
According to Rippaverse founder Eric July, moderators of r/comicbooks—a subreddit with approximately four million members—continue to classify his independent publishing company as a “hate group.” They have also rejected his attempt to resolve the dispute.
A screenshot from the trailer to Alphacore 2 – YouTube, Rippaverse
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The moderators went even further by permanently muting July, preventing him from contacting them again.
Eric July Extends an Olive Branch
July launched Rippaverse in 2022 as an alternative to mainstream comic book publishers. Although its stories are not explicitly political, the company quickly attracted controversy because of July’s right-of-center views and criticism of the modern entertainment industry.
In his message to the moderators, July acknowledged the hostility surrounding Rippaverse’s launch but argued that the company’s subsequent record deserved another look.
“I’m reaching out directly, not to argue, but to open a door,” he wrote, according to screenshots published by Geeks + Gamers.
The biggest comic book subreddit, r/comicbooks, 4 million members, just slammed the digital door in my face. They doubled down. Apparently the Rippaverse is still a “hate group.”
I offered to talk on their terms. Offered to mail their mod team our books for free so they could… pic.twitter.com/I7tsscowX2
— Eric July (@EricDJuly) September 16, 2026
July described Rippaverse as “an independent publisher making superhero comics for anyone who wants to read them.” He also highlighted the company’s nationwide distribution agreement with Hachette Book Group and McFarlane Toys’ production of an action figure based on Rippaverse superhero Isom.
Those partnerships have helped move Rippaverse beyond its crowdfunding origins and into more conventional publishing and merchandising channels. July’s message argued that the company should now be evaluated by what it has produced rather than any outside factors.
Comic book panels for Rippazine – Rippaverse
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The publisher offered to speak with the moderators under whatever conditions made them comfortable. He also proposed participating in an AMA governed entirely by the subreddit’s rules and mailing its moderators free comics so they could examine Rippaverse’s work for themselves.
July was not asking the community to endorse or promote his company. His stated goal was simply to allow users to discuss its comics “like any other publisher’s, under the same rules as everyone else.”
“I simply want to extend the olive branch,” he wrote.
Reddit Moderators Reject the Proposal
The moderators apparently had no interest in reconsidering the dispute.
That decision carries particular weight because r/comicbooks is one of the internet’s largest forums devoted to the medium. Exclusion from the subreddit limits Rippaverse’s ability to reach readers who might otherwise discover its titles through ordinary discussion.
July sent his message at 9:34 a.m. The moderators responded at 9:47 a.m.: “No, won’t be doing that.” They then permanently muted him, preventing July from sending the moderation team any additional messages.
July Responds to the Rejection
July subsequently instructed his supporters not to contact or confront the moderators. Instead, he argued that the incident demonstrated the barriers facing politically conservative creators, even when their entertainment products avoid overt political messaging.
A screenshot from the trailer to Alphacore 2 – YouTube, Rippaverse
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“This stuff gets old, and maybe I should be more transparent about what it’s like being a right-of-center creator,” July wrote. “I’ve made this point a hundred times and it never lands: apolitical like us or on-the-nose, doesn’t matter. You have a ceiling either way.”
The screenshots do not reveal whether the moderators discussed July’s offer among themselves. However, their brief response indicates that they were unwilling to consider his proposed conversation, read the company’s comics, or explain what Rippaverse would need to do to escape the “hate group” designation.
Nearly four years after the original controversy, July’s attempt at reconciliation appears to have left the relationship exactly where it began, with r/comicbooks unwilling to reconsider its treatment of Rippaverse.
How do you feel about the response from r/comicbooks to Eric July? Sound off and let us know!
