Terry Doyle

The business about Rae killing himself off and being resurrected as Vince Greck was totally surreal. If I told that tale to anyone outside of these forums, they just wouldn't believe it . . .

Classic Richard Rae post (from Pulp Faction): Know the Truth about CAF Bully tactics and Troll behaviour by assorted members of CAF were recently exposed on the Collectors Society web site by one of it’s members, that member was quickly blocked from the site after posting proof of bullying by “some” CAF members that seamed to be condoned by CAF management. Two forums were created “The TRUTH about CAF” and “The Collapse of the Original Comic Art Market” both directing criticism towards the ComicArtFans site and it’s top man. The sensitive issues that many original comic art collectors know about BUT rarely speck openly about were met with hostility and rudeness by many CAF members. 1) It was put forward that their is a small “click” of big name Original Comic Art collectors and well known Original Comic Art Dealers who were escalating the value of Original Comic Art to unreachable degrees over a number of years and have now caused the market to hit it’s ceiling brassing for an inevitable Collapse or Crash. 2) It was put forward that a well known on-line auction group specialising in Original Comic Art, listed items for auction with ridiculously high reserve prices, with no intention of parting with the items but in truth just to see how much collectors were going to be push to obtain the items, this way their art inventory could be effectively just valued. 3) It was put forward that a number of high profile members of CAF who sell, trade and buy Original Comic Art via the galleries on the CAF site, were manipulating pricing of art for their own financial benefit and had an unhealthy connection with the management of the CAF site and it’s owner – (clearly after the whistle blower raised these issues and was bared from the Collectors Society site these CAF members most likely have an unhealthy connection with the management of the Collectors Society group as well). 4) It was put forward that a small number of CAF members were using bullying tactics to force other members to step-in-line with their pricing structure or they would be bared from the site, their bullying tactics were repetitious, dogmatic, abusive and some racially based. 5) It was put forward that the market value placed on Original Comic Art was NOT the “real” market value of the art. And that to gage the “true” market value of the item auctions should be run WITHOUT reserve prices, FOR EXAMPLE: if someone wishes to pay $60,000 for a comic cover fine BUT if the item only gets $6,000 as it’s highest bid then that is it’s “true” market price. 6) It also was put forward that a number of “paid” members of CAF (clearly now the Collectors Society) were bared from the site if they raised any concerns regarding the negative actions of the small number of big name members or the running of the site itself. These are all serious points that effect many if not all of us who collect Original Comic Art, it’s a multi-million dollar industry and keep in mind that these issues that were put forward were done as QUESTIONS open for debate and not allegations. What are your views ? let us know here please. However be warned, at any time this forum may possibly be attacked by the same small group who have in the past shown no respect for other collectors points of view over their own... I thank Maggie for her assistance in opening this forum and I look forward to everyone’s input. Kindest regards Richard

Hi Tessa...Good boy....You "blue blood" collectors have given me a hard time but I guess you realise that your pathetic efforts to sop me have failed... Tried confrountiing me but I'm still here...don't degrade yourself any more Regarding Rich Buckler he was likable but difficult but his comments have hurt me so I will not pay him any money he claims he is owed and be sure I will be squeezing the value out of the work I got...Same with the cripple Maybe I'm not totally innocent here(ha!) but you still can pin any bodies on me....You are mostly insufficiently_thoughtful_persons and buttlickers wjo have failed History will show I am the winner of Terry-gate. I would just like to add to all of you who have contacted me "personally" over the last few days offering me there support I appreciate all of you following my request NOT to enter into this forum actively thank you all. ..regards, Richard Just had to log in and say this post comes as close as these boards will likely ever get concerning having its very own super villain. Very evil and mindless, yet so cool at the same time. Rumour has it that Rae's comic-book, 'Unearth', has its villains gain the upper hand . . .

Hi Tessa...Good boy....You "blue blood" collectors have given me a hard time but I guess you realise that your pathetic efforts to sop me have failed... Tried confrountiing me but I'm still here...don't degrade yourself any more Regarding Rich Buckler he was likable but difficult but his comments have hurt me so I will not pay him any money he claims he is owed and be sure I will be squeezing the value out of the work I got...Same with the cripple Maybe I'm not totally innocent here(ha!) but you still can pin any bodies on me....You are mostly insufficiently_thoughtful_persons and buttlickers wjo have failed History will show I am the winner of Terry-gate. I would just like to add to all of you who have contacted me "personally" over the last few days offering me there support I appreciate all of you following my request NOT to enter into this forum actively thank you all. ..regards, Richard What a piece of work. Spoken like a true confidence artist. It'll all catch up to you in time Richard. Bodies start piling up after a while. First time I've ever been accused of "confrounting" anybody! Whatever that means . . .

Hmmm... Perhaps. Rich Buckler did ask to be kept informed on the trouble Rae was causing. Does he know that Rae is advertising his book all over Facebook as featuring him as a major contributor? No idea and I don't feel compelled to ask (as I say, I don't want to rake-up a potentially painful reminder, sorry). . . . and if Rae didn't pay Rich back then, what makes you think he's suddenly developed a conscience and is going to pay him now?

The work intended for 'Unearth' is the same that Rich has referred to in the past: I am sorry that I actually did get duped into contributing to one of his publishing ventures. If he is actually not at fault in my dealings with him that went south--well, how come it has been over a year now and he still hasn't straightened anything out yet? Has Buckler actually been properly paid yet? I doubt it. Does he want to be associated with such a book and publisher as Richard Rae? Richard is shilling this book on Facebook by stating Buckler, Loeb and Royer's involvement. Most of the work was done years ago. At this point I don't think raking-up any of this sordid business with Rich Buckler is such a good idea. Hip, Hip, Ho Rae may have duped those guys into contributing but, hopefully, no further involvement will be forthcoming. . . . and he's just 'fired' Ralph Reese for saying that he's a screwball.

Given Hip, Hip, Ho Rae's poor command of the English language, I often wondered how he could write such a book? Now I know! I heard about Rae's murdered business partner a while back. Am I right in thinking they never recovered a body or nailed anyone for the murder? Oh, here's Hip, Hip, Ho Rae's comments from an old Pulp-Faction post he made: "I have been accused of everything short of murder and that’s only because they can’t find a body to pin on me... yet (ha)... they got close with the horrific and sad murder of my long time friend and ex-partner Peter Mitris (R.I.P.) "

Given Hip, Hip, Ho Rae's poor command of the English language, I often wondered how he could write such a book? Now I know! I heard about Rae's murdered business partner a while back. Am I right in thinking they never recovered a body or nailed anyone for the murder?

Does anyone have contact with Rich Buckler or Bill Messner-Loebs? We need to get them to withdraw their work from this "Unearth" comic as it may damage their professional reputations to be associated with Rae. I was in contact with Rich Buckler several years ago, highlighting the business of Rae trying to sell his light-boxed Captain America as being an original 'Steranko/Buckler' illustration. Rich, at the time was (painfully) aware of Rae's dishonest practices. Is Rich's work for 'Unearth' something he produced before he became aware of Rae's true nature? I find it hard to believe that he would actually want to go back and collaborate further with old, 'Hip, Hip, Ho Rae' . . .

The second link doesn't work, so presumably it got took down? Anyways . . . well done on keeping up the pressure on this scum-bag. Both still work Not for me . . . could be that I'm being blocked?

The second link doesn't work, so presumably it got took down? Anyways . . . well done on keeping up the pressure on this scum-bag.

Thanks for the update, OHS. (thumbs u

Okay, I've now heard back from Ralph Reese. Here's the extent of our FB conversation: TD "Hi Ralph Heard that you're collaborating with an Australian by the name of Richard Rae? Not sure if you're aware of it . . . but Richard has a history of burning artists he works with (and scamming artwork collectors). He ripped-off a friend of mine several years back and has since become the subject of heated discussion forums. If you're in contact with Rich Buckler, it might be worth your while shooting Rich an e-mail to compare notes? Bottom line is simply that I'd respectfully suggest you exercise the utmost caution when dealing with this guy. He's bad news. Seriously." RR "I have been paid in advance. Richard seems like kind of a screwball but his money is good. At least so far. But thanks for your concern." I've reminded Ralph that he ought to continue exercising caution when dealing with Rae and will leave it at that.

I don't actually see anything here that suggests Rae has swindled Reese . . . yet! I've sent Reese a FB message suggesting that he exercises the utmost caution in any dealings with Rae and will report back if I receive any reply. In the meantime, is it not possible to have the police authorities turn their attention to Rae? You live over there and would surely be in a position to do something about this on-going mess. . . The information is available on the FB pages of Richard and Ralph over the past few months. Rae got Ralph Reese to draw up a bunch of work on spec for a character that it has just emerged he didn't own and had no rights to. Here's one of the pieces. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=338679859649700 The character of The Scorpion belongs to the estate of Monty Wedd who FORBADE Rae to use it as soon as they became aware. Ralph Reese was not informed of this denial of permission at the time and continued to create work for free on the project which can now never be used. I'd call that swindling a veteran artist. We have alerted the Australian police to Rae's activities in the past. He is quite isolated in Australia and conducts most of his current scams over Facebook with overseas collectors. Right . . . it's just that the initial link you provided didn't actually provide any of this additional information. Glad to hear that the police have been alerted to his activities in the past. Hopefully, you'll keep them regularly updated.

I don't actually see anything here that suggests Rae has swindled Reese . . . yet! I've sent Reese a FB message suggesting that he exercises the utmost caution in any dealings with Rae and will report back if I receive any reply. In the meantime, is it not possible to have the police authorities turn their attention to Rae? You live over there and would surely be in a position to do something about this on-going mess. . .

I'd sooner own the 80m.

Interesting thread... I don't often ponder these things so I am kinda on the fence. Why not both? There's no reason that I can't appreciate it in the relevant context and still also find other aspects or particular pieces of appropriated art annoying. Doesn't matter what the format is, be it fine art, choreography, music... there has to be a line in the sand somewhere regarding inspiration or transformation where it just loses integrity and looks like plagiarism. I find it surprising that Lichtenstein was never sued when plenty of other (neo) pop artists have been, I guess times have changed. Warhol, Koons, Hirst have all lost some battles. In one such case Hirst's "transformation" was to enlarge the subject. So what? It's bigger... woop de doo! I don't think it's reasonable to assume that everyone should fall on one side agreeing what RL did was always a transformation or if someone doesn't agree with it that it follows suit that they shun all of his work and the pop art movement as theft / junk. It's also annoying to see the same artists or their foundations sue other artists who appropriate their work which sometimes is an appropriation itself Is it art? Yes! Do I like some of it? Yes! Would it me off if I created something and someone claimed most of it as their own? Yes! Does that make me question the morals / self respect aspect? Yes! Probably the fairest assessment of this never-ending thread I've read so far. I'm not entirely sure that singing the praises of Lichtenstein's comic-book inspired paintings is such a good idea on a comic-book collecting forum (for most people here sympathies will lie with artists like Heath who saw their work re-interpreted and selling for huge amounts of money yet receiving nothing for playing a part in it all). I don't have a problem with anyone liking Lichtenstein's artwork (even though I no longer hold his comics-inspired art in the high regard I once held for it back in the 1960s before I discovered the imagery was not entirely unique). What does irritate me is the, "If you don't appreciate Lichtenstein's artwork, it's because you're uneducated" kind of stance (or words to that effect) I see surface on these threads by pro-Lichtenstein boardies (difficult to win anyone round to your cause if you're questionning their intellect). It's something that 'RockMyAmadeus' has already flagged-up and successfully addressed, so I'll say no more. Good post, Garf. (thumbs u

My work here is done. (thumbs u

Not so sure I wanted to wade through more pages of a thread that I thought had been done to death, but worth checking-out for the posts by 'RockMyAmadeus'. (thumbs u

Yeah, this. "Fake" is the wrong word, it's ghosted. Could be the 'ghost of Bob Kane come back to haunt OA collectors . . .

Too much doubt attached to Kane's 'original art', that it's something I'd steer well clear of. I'm inclined to believe it's a fake.