It is quite odd that, in my recollection of this thread, there are instances of comic books being returned, in worse shape than when submitted, due to the threat or commencement of legal action. Yet, regarding the new poster, all it took for HR to start "looking for" the comic books was basically "please return them." Granted, the comic books may never be "found."
Call me cynical or a realist, but, as countless others have noted, HR's track record, especially recently, leaves no room for the benefit of a doubt.