CANCER STRIKES A FRIEND
Today Eric July of the Rippaverse Tweeted that his long term video editor Jordan Crowe was battling cancer. The Rippaverse team created a t-shirt to benefit her, with all the profits from sales of the shirt going to Jordan. There is a GiveSendGo Campaign to help raise money for Jordan's medical expenses, at this link.
From the Rippaverse.com website:
"Crowe for a Cure is more than just apparel—it’s a symbol of hope, strength, and unity. Created to support Jordan Crowe, our beloved video editor, graphic designer, and storyteller, this design features a bold crow soaring against a pink ribbon, representing resilience and determination in the fight against breast cancer. In June, Jordan was diagnosed with breast cancer and a BRCA2-associated genetic condition, making her fight even more challenging."
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED
This seems like a normal and compassionate attempt to help a coworker and a friend in a time of time of need. Human nature, and social media being what is, we should be unsurprised that "no good deed goes unpunished."
Comedian and podcaster Dick Masterson has been in a one sided feud with Eric July and the Rippaverse for over a year. Theatrical rants against July are featured frequently on Masterson's programs. Shortly after the Rippaverse Twitter account posted about Jordan's plight - Masterson went to Twitter to express his outrage.
IT'$ JU$T JOKE$ BRO
Masterson's theatrical anger for Eric July has long since surpassed any rational threshold of criticism, and been so disproportionate that it becomes entirely ridiculous. When even the minutia of July's life provokes a red-faced breathless rant from Masterson, it's hard to tell if this is a long running joke from Dick. It is even harder to tell if Masterson is in on his own joke. While abrasive, Masterson is certainly talented, and checking Dick's Patreon page, his fans appear happy to subsidize his content.
DESPITE ALL THE RAGE, HE IS STILL JUST A DICK IN A CAGE...
Despite Masterson's performative rage, July and the Rippaverse have continued to promote and produce graphic novels throughout out 2024, most recently shipping the Horseman by Chuck Dixon. July has hinted that the production schedule may accelerate in 2025 with potentially a book released each month. Dick will have to ration his rage, or run the risk of a rant-induced stroke. Masterson and his peers in the pop culture war space certainly run the risk of exhausting a limited audiences capacity to react to rage.
A ONE WAY STREET
Eric to his credit has recently adopted a disciplined approach to hyperbolic critics. July almost never response to rants, excepting in passing or limited comments. A one-sided feud becomes substantially more challenging to sustain.
In this instance it is useful and timely to leverage Masterson's performance, and channel it to draw attention to Jordan Crowe and her struggle with cancer. The GiveSendGo campaign to help with Jordan's medical expenses can be found at: