Celebrating the Good Stuff: Yaira.

 

At the time of writing this, I am still awaiting the fulfilment of four comics from people identifying themselves as ComicsGate. They were due on the following dates: October 2020, February 2021, November 2022, and July 2023. As a result of such lateness and some questionable behaviour on Twitter (I'm not calling it X,) I simply won't back around 90% of the 'creators' out there anymore. A few will automatically have my money when they announce a project simply because they have delivered good products in the past. But that is a tiny list now.

I had been aware of Eric July and the announcement of Rippaverse Comics but had not backed any of his graphic novels. The first reason is an obvious one, how badly I'd been burned backing a lot of CG stuff. The second reason was simply because I didn't have the money to do so. Postage becomes a significant factor for us international backers, especially when it almost matches the cost of the book we're backing. But, I watched nonetheless as Isom #1, Alphacore #1, and Isom #2 were launched, each to a fantastic success. Each time, I wished I had backed the books.

During the run of the previously mentioned campaigns, I also noticed the negative attention directed at July and those working under him at Rippaverse Comics. Nearly all of it came from creators attached to ComicsGate and, amusingly, those who struggle to get their books out on time. To me, a lot of it was borderline abuse, especially when a masked individual took a photograph next to the grave of July's Grandfather, whom he named the character of Isom after. Perhaps I was naive in thinking that creators would celebrate and support each other in such trying times, but a friend reminded me that all this is very much 'Crabs in a Bucket.'

Then Yaira was announced, supported by animated videos, a live-action trailer, and some cool merchandise. Before all this, I had been aware of the writers, the Soska sisters, but to a small degree. I knew they were popular in the horror scene and had written Black Widow for Marvel, but nothing else around those. The trailers alone got me interested in Yaira, and I really liked the art. So, on March 11th this year, I took the risk and backed the book. My books arrived on June the 4th, yesterday at the time of writing this. That's the quickest I've ever received any product I've supported through crowdfunding.

But is it any good?

Yes. The story was fun and had plenty of entertaining action, including some excellent airborne combat. It also gives Yaira a great origin story, which provides the reader with a firm understanding of why the character behaves the way she does. The art from Debora Caritá is also excellent, but I've seen it criticised to a degree I consider nitpicking. I never saw anything in the comic that really jumped out at me as bad or stupid, and when I finished the book, I wondered once more where such attacks on it came from. Again, 'Crabs in a Bucket,' I guess.

In closing, I'll be buying more books from Rippaverse Comics because I firmly believe I'll be getting value for my money. The books are well made, are a good-sized read, and I know I won't be waiting three or four fucking years for one to arrive. Finally, a special mention must be made of the packaging in which I received my books. The cardboard was shaped in a fantastic design and protected the books perfectly. If that is the continued effort put into the postage alone, I'll definitely be coming back for more.