Neo "The One"

On 3/27/2024 at 10:00 AM, wombat said:

So if Mike sold customer's books doesn't that open a new path to criminal charges? Its one thing to argue you are just really delayed and never had any intention to not complete the work, its quite another when you are selling books that aren't yours. 

Here are some of the suspected books: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=256369553490&rt=nc&_ssn=geekbay_since_2003&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

On 3/27/2024 at 10:14 AM, mattn792 said:

Here’s a start then - what lawyer have they retained?

I've mentioned all of this on the boards previously, but when we spoke at the time, it was not cost effective.  I'd mentioned to them that if we were to seek legal counsel I'd have to meet with that firm directly or via Zoom and confirm it was a reputable one.  That was about as far as the conversation on that topic went.  I did not feel pressure in any way  - they "Flake and Cantina" just strike me as other collectors who've been burned by Mike, and want to explore whatever options they have or collectively anyone that has been harmed in all of this.  I believe the Zoom call was initiated to establish trust.  I've been DM'd by others on this board asking me what they looked like, etc.  1) It wasn't Mike 2) It was not a former employee of HR 3) I did my own sleuthing and feel they are legit. 

On 3/27/2024 at 6:59 AM, Sigur Ros said:

I know I'm only 12 but I couldn't help but notice something.

Starting March 7, in your "final post here".

All off this Cloak and Dagger stuff started because of Mike and his behavior.  No one knew who to trust and if there were 'plants' on this board (as apparently there were on the older locked post).  What I'm starting to wonder is that everyone pointing at FLAKE has an ulterior motive.  What's the point of sewing mistrust here?  Doesn't do anything to move this forward.  

On 3/27/2024 at 9:29 AM, mattn792 said:

And we all know that no one lies on the internet.

So I agree that many do.  So don't send him money - but don't crucify him either.  IMO he's trying to help and they are good guys. 

On 3/27/2024 at 8:41 AM, Mr. Zipper said:

It has been explained numerous times that Flake and Cantina are two people who work together and jointly using the email account. They are not Mike and there is no evidence they are up to anything shady. Sheesh. Enough already... it's an unnecessary distraction.  

THANK YOU!  I agree with others about 'send no money' - but that would be in ANY SITUATION where you don't personally know someone on the Internet. I met Cantina via chat - seemed legit AND DID NOT ASK FOR MONEY.  He has his reasons for keeping a low profile and I respect that.   These posts take the focus off of the issue at hand.  Getting anything back from HR, MD or anyone else involved (eBay, PayPal).  My book was sold without my knowledge or compensation to me on eBay.  Other books sold by that same account appear to be customers of Mike / HR, so it appears he sold them without our knowledge or consent.  So hopefully something can come of that for me and others.

On 3/26/2024 at 8:49 PM, Flake Tapper said:

Email me at randyhampton127@gmail.com 

 

You can join our legal action. 

 

And ignore the 12 year old's comments that will follow. 

 

Thanks

 

Randy

LMAO

On 3/25/2024 at 9:28 AM, DougC said:

Don't forget to Zoom call!!!

Give him a break already.  

On 3/22/2024 at 8:09 PM, Dr Zen said:

I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Kirby at a convention in 1986. I got a half a dozen books signed. I never considered submitting them before. I am very much considering it now.

PURDY

On 3/22/2024 at 3:40 PM, Matt1982 said:

This book has two signatures - one witnessed and one unwitnessed. They could do something like this as people have said, that uses two colors - here there's a stripe across the top. It wouldn't make sense to keep using green, since that will still be associated with Qualified books. Maybe a darker orange?

That said, my preference would be to stick with a yellow label, and then just notate it. For example, with this book it could say, "Signed by Frank Miller on 10/15/23; Verified Signature by David Mazzucchelli."

I completely agree

On 3/22/2024 at 1:15 PM, wombat said:

What if its just another color (something other than yellow)? Does that make it better?

Gold would be nice.

I know it is the Jade Giant, or Ole Green Skin, but I still rather it was YELLOW...

I guess when money is on the line, some people will fake anything.  I like the idea of CGC signature authentication (yes I went there) because I have several books that I had signed in the 80's as a kid.  I hate the green label and comments like, "there is writing on this cover in pen" or some like that.  At least I can get my own books that I personally had signed authenticated to a reasonable amout of certainty (for others).  I'm not looking to 'flip' these books as I've had them for well over 30 years.  I do have more recent books like 2nd Print Batman 608 signed by Jim Lee at my LCS.  Now, I can understand how others are looking at this from a monetary POV, as of course money and in some cases a lot of money can be at stake.  I don't have a ton of interest in buying non-witnessed signed books that are encapsulated, especially if the signature is on the first page / interior of the book.  Others may feel differently.  I'm just happy I can have them slabbed and possibly displayed without a green "sub-standard" label.  I have spoken.  (lol!)

I'm actually excited about this. I feel that it is good news and overdue.

On 3/15/2024 at 10:46 PM, thehumantorch said:

Mike DeCheatusall(if he can get away with it)

Let's see to it that he doesn't. 

On 3/15/2024 at 9:40 PM, Point Five said:

This is a great idea -- kudos! Just a respectful heads-up, that your site misspells Mike's last name throughout -- there are other typos, but that's the one I'd want you to get right for sure.

 

Thank you!  Any advice @Everyone - keep it coming please!

On 3/15/2024 at 8:35 PM, thehumantorch said:

I've been talking to a friend who is a paralegal and works in the courts and a self help desk in California.  She's also worked for a number of law firms.

She isn't a lawyer and don't consider this to be legal advice but she does know the ins and outs of the courts and what general steps should be considered.

It's important to create a paper trail. 

1) Start with a demand letter.  There are lots of examples online. 

2) After a few weeks or a month send a second demand letter.

3) File a police report.  If the police don't want to take the report continue to insist to file the report and don't take no for an answer.

4) Once you've built a paper trail take him to civil court and try to get a judgement.

5) Many courts and bar associations and have cheap legal advice.  Say $45 for an hour of legal advice.  Think of it as a lawyer providing you with advice hoping it will lead to more hours.  This should probably be step #1 above.

 

Best advice I’ve heard in a while!  Thanks! 

And also Flake didn't know about the DOJ link. https://justice.oregon.gov/consumercomplaints/ I pointed him to it.  A lot of good information gets buried in this board and is hard to find.  The in-fighting only makes it more difficult for everyone just hearing about this situation.  It is a lot to unpack.

On 3/11/2024 at 9:01 AM, Chip Cataldo said:

Just for clarification @CGC Mike, there are things that can make your IP seem like you're wherever in the world you'd like it to show unless there's something out there that can skirt that. I've not heard of such a thing, though.

IP address pretty much means nothing.

Ok - I met with one of them via Zoom.  He seemed legit.  I could be wrong - but what's the difference?  I've emailed Randy and his picture is different than Cantina.  *yeah, I know this doesn't mean anything.  They wanted to meet via Zoom to clear things up.  If anyone wants to try and build trust, I think that would be a good first step.  Again, us fighting each other is only beneficial for the one who started this mess.  "He ro who shall not be named..."

On 3/10/2024 at 9:01 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Flake and Cantina can't be the same person.  They work together on a little thing called a wine mixer.

Perhaps you've heard of it?  The Cantina Wine Mixer*?

Do you all even understand what that is?

It's the Cantina effing wine mixer!

POW!

It's the biggest comic book lawsuit event...in the western hemisphere...since 1997. 

POW!

They have to sue, or settle, with at least 80 comic related companies there to make their nut.

POW!  POW! 

 

 

* not affiliated with the Catalina Wine Mixer.

Hey also - you mentioned way back when about the other thread getting locked.  And you predicted this would happen (more people out there looking for answers) and here we are.  My impression of Cantina is that he is just another collector who got burned and is afraid to trust anyone after what Mike D. pulled.  I've been told by Cantina that Flake (Randy) works for him.  So he was managing the board chat.  Again, I don't really care if they had any ulterior motive or not.  They did not ask me for money, and were not looking to represent anyone.  They just wanted to pool resources to get Hero, since it would be more cost effective.  I let them know if we hired counsel I would need to meet them in person or at a minimum via Zoom and ensure they are a reputable law firm.  The focus is and has always been on getting some justice for those burned by Hero.  * Yes - I will be running for president soon. *   Let's just give everyone a break.  I doubt Mike has anyone trying to manipulate things at this point and could care less.  He's filed Bankruptcy and closed up shop (other than ebay possibly).  Personally I don't fear him, my book is already gone, so I have no chance of him sending it back.  Feel free to DM me, I'll talk to anyone who wants to try and make things right.  

On 3/10/2024 at 9:51 PM, CGC Mike said:

Based on IP addresses, I agree.  Now, lets not get this thread locked, guys.

Thanks Mike - I think the in-fighting doesn't help here. 

On 3/10/2024 at 6:23 PM, lizards2 said:

I have a lot against Oregon because I have lived in this god-forsaken communist state my entire life. It is a nice place in photos - like a windy, stormy day, under glass. Everything's fine...., 

*sigh*