Hero Restoration, Anyone know the latest? 24 24

[MatterEaterLad]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:30 AM, Mutant Manatee said:

Me neither.  After 4-5 years I would have been knocking on his door asking for my book(s) back.

A former employee said the Flash 1 needed a massive amount of work. Maybe they were waiting to find a back cover, an interior spread, etc.

There's no other circumstance where I'd wait that long, and even then, I can't imagine waiting 10 years.

[DR.X]

On 12/19/2023 at 8:30 AM, Mutant Manatee said:

Me neither.  After 4-5 years I would have been knocking on his door asking for my book(s) back.

I wouldn't have waited that long.

[CJ Design]

"....cluck...I remember when that Flash came in...cluck..."

 

[JazzMan]

This saddens me.  I remember that I hosted the CGC board dinner back in 2009 or 2010 at Emerald City comic con in Seattle and met Mike for the first time.  I introduced him to Matt Nelson who was heading Classics at the time and Mike was giddy for Matt's work and wanted to learn as much as he could from him.  Those were better days.  I wish Mike well and for him to make ammends to all those who trusted him.

[Sauce Dog]

Spoke with contacts again today and got clarification from them regarding some of the important stuff:
 

• There is no hard evidence that any customer books have been sold yet, however due to the proximity of these contacts in Mike's life they strongly felt worried this is a very real possibility based on knowing him personally. They did mention there are several other comic stores / dealers in the Corvallis area, so those able to do so might want to check with those businesses (this is out of my hands).
• The large amount of contempt of court charges you were all curious about are not all related to this current incident, those are something else entirely different regarding past actions (so best not to jump to any conclusions about charges when we don't know which is which).
• Some customers have expressed that they are currently looking into legal action; I am not your point of contact for that - I just happen to be the one everyone seems to be reaching out to, so if you are looking for other fellow American's to go in on any sort of legal action or discussion please put out a call in the thread, or reach out to people via DM, and start your own discussion.

[Sauce Dog]

For reference, here are the photos I was sent of Mike's new business. I am told everything he had left from Hero Restoration went here for storage. No, I will not release the address publicly at this time. If you have a need for it legally, then DM me.

At this point my contacts feel they have provided enough to spur the community to take more action and there isn't much else they can do. I appreciate them reaching out, as we would never have known about this side businesses otherwise.

While there are other details given to me regarding all this, there isn't anything I feel that needs to be publicly revealed - no sense throwing more fuel on the fire if no good will come of it, I am not going out of my way to embarrass or expose Mike here. He still has a chance to make good and mail back books to appease most of the customers in this case since they just want their books back, so I'm still hoping for some sort of resolution (whatever that might be).

American customers who feel more action is needed should look into taking their own legal action, reaching out to the Linn County Sheriff's Office only if you or your legal console feel it beneficial to do so, and reaching out to other board members directly.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by Sauce Dog

[seanlinc]

I would totally walk into that store 

[mattn792]

Who else is wondering how many customer books might be sitting in this box?

[Domo Arigato]

Submit with confidence.

All books are handled with extreme care to prevent damage and are stored in a secure vault.

[VintageComics]

On 12/19/2023 at 8:28 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Submit with confidence.

All books are handled with extreme care to prevent damage and are stored in a secure vault.

Is it just me or does that look like a TMNT shell?

[Sauce Dog]

On 12/19/2023 at 8:28 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Submit with confidence.

All books are handled with extreme care to prevent damage and are stored in a secure vault.

I was hesitant to post the picture because of how it looks - but I'm pretty sure that was him just reusing an old box to pack stuff into for the move and there isn't any customer comics in that. I opted to post it in the end because the box explicitly showed it was his location and not some random store we got pictures of.

Edited December 20, 2023 by Sauce Dog

[mattn792]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:31 PM, Sauce Dog said:

I was hesitant to post the picture because of how it looks - but I'm pretty sure that was him just reusing an old box to pack stuff into for the move and there isn't any customer comics in that. I opted to post it in the end because the box explicitly showed it was his location and not some random store we got pictures of.

At this point, he hardly deserves the benefit of the doubt.

[wombat]

I'm shocked that people still seem to have some level of sympathy for this guy. 

[Silver Surfer]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:05 PM, seanlinc said:

I would totally walk into that store 

And if he still had my books I would grab a bunch of stuff and walk out. 

[DougC]

Looks like the box was used for six orders to be "completed" by March 23 for the old squish and rub.

I guess if your order was:

• 3336
• 3313
• 3326
• 3402
• 3391*
• 3399*

(*not sure of last digit).

You might have to wait a bit longer due to unforeseen circumstances... and your lack of understanding, which is why your being ignored (not that he is in jail... its YOU).

[unclezebo]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:28 PM, Domo Arigato said:

Submit with confidence.

All books are handled with extreme care to prevent damage and are stored in a secure vault.

Looks like his idea of pressing books is the same idea I used while moving in college.

[phretbored]

wow there is some interesting new info in this thread

at this time idk for sure if Mike sold my books or any books but it can't be ruled out

after seeing the pics of this shop and of Mike and learning more about his situation sure i can see other possible reasons why books were not shipped back

but Mike never said books were relocated to a shop or gave any info that he doesn't have access to them or etc

he simply said they were on the way or said several times that he would ship them and he never did

this story has many twists and turns

[shadroch]

What a brave soul. Here he is dying, yet his love for the hobby has made him open up a spectacular new store. What a guy. 

[KCOComics]

On 12/21/2023 at 10:04 PM, phretbored said:

wow there is some interesting new info in this thread

at this time idk for sure if Mike sold my books or any books but it can't be ruled out

after seeing the pics of this shop and of Mike and learning more about his situation sure i can see other possible reasons why books were not shipped back

but Mike never said books were relocated to a shop or gave any info that he doesn't have access to them or etc

he simply said they were on the way or said several times that he would ship them and he never did

this story has many twists and turns

Yes - and I apologize for saying we haven't seen evidence that he sold your books earlier in the thread. While we still haven't seen evidence of it, I don't think we can give him the benefit of the doubt on anything,  any longer. 

 

Another thought that's occurred to me,  opening a store doesn't just happen. It takes,  time,  commitment and money.  He had to move all that stuff,  price things,  set up payment systems and so on.   

How does he have the time,  energy and money to do that,  but he can't finish pressing and shipping books?

Forget pressing and finishing the work he was paid to do, why can't he simply find the time and money to ship people's books back? 

Unfortunately I'm beginning to fear the worst.  His health certainly doesn't seem to be holding him back.  If he can't ship the books back,  I can only conclude he no longer has them.

Edited December 22, 2023 by KCOComics

[CJ Design]

..as I had stated before, I'm always was afraid that those books are gone...it just fits the pattern I've seen in these Business situations...😞